Injured party in criminal proceedings

A more detailed description of the injured party can be found here .

Anyone could be the victim of a crime. The Ministry of Justice has drawn up guides for crime victims and children as victims of crime.

Assistance can also be obtained from

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If the injured party has claims for compensation for the offence, he or she may request that the prosecutor present them in court. The prosecutor may advocate a claim for compensation on behalf of the injured party, if the matter is simple and clear, and the prosecutor has been provided with an invoice, receipt, or other written explanation of the claim. If the injured party submits his or her claim for compensation himself/herself, he or she may either submit it in writing to the court before the trial or present it in court.

The injured party may also require the opposing party to pay his or her costs in the matter. Legal costs may arise from the use of a lawyer, for example.

If the injured party has been summoned to appear before a court under the threat of a fine, he or she is entitled to reimbursement for the costs from state funds. The compensation may include daily allowance, travel expenses and loss of income.

The injured party may consider whether he or she needs legal assistance and advice. If the conditions for free legal aid are not met, the use of a counsel may incur costs. Legal aid is provided by public legal counsel, attorneys and licensed legal counsel.

Under certain conditions, the court may also appoint a legal counsel for the injured party for the trial. This may be the case in cases of sexual offences, domestic violence and offences against life, health or liberty, if it is considered justified by the seriousness of the offence, the personal circumstances of the injured party and other circumstances. The fee of the attorney appointed to the injured party shall be paid from state funds.

In the situations mentioned above, the injured party may also be assigned a support person if the injured party is heard in person and can be in need of support in the proceedings. The task of the support person shall be to provide personal support to the injured party in the proceedings and to assist him or her in matters relating to the consideration of the matter.