If you are suspected of a crime, you have the right to a defense attorney. A defense attorney will protect your rights throughout the entire legal process – from the initial police interview to the trial and any subsequent appeal. Advokatfirman XXV practices as defense attorney in Stockholm but accepts cases throughout Sweden.
For a free consultation, please feel free to contact Advokatfirman XXV – a criminal defense attorney in Stockholm – at 08 30 45 45.
In many criminal cases, the suspect has the right to a public defender. This applies, for example when the suspect has been remanded in custody or is suspected of a crime punishable by at least six months in prison. You have the right to request which defense attorney should represent you as a public defender. The court will normally grant your request if the attorney is available and there is no conflict of interest.
If you are not entitled to a public defender, or if the court denies a request to change public defender, you may instead hire a private defense attorney. This is because a suspect has an absolute right to some form of defense counsel – whether public or private.
Advokatfirman XXV represents clients as defense counsel in Stockholm and throughout Sweden, serving as both public and private defense attorney.
The cost of a public defender is primarily paid for by the state. However, if you are convicted, the court may order you to reimburse all or part of the cost, depending on factors such as the nature of the crime, the sentence imposed, and your financial situation.
If you, as your public defender, request a lawyer who practices outside the location where the case is being heard – for example, a defense attorney in Stockholm for a criminal case in Gothenburg – you may be required to cover the additional costs incurred for the lawyer’s time waste, lodging, and travel.
If you hire a private defense attorney, you are generally responsible for paying the attorney’s fees yourself. The cost depends on the scope and complexity of the case. In certain cases, however–for example, if you are acquitted–the state may reimburse reasonable costs even if you have a private defense attorney.
If you have lost trust in your public defender or are dissatisfied with him or her for any other reason, you may request a change of public defender. Such request must be made in writing to the court and include a statement of reasons. It is helpful if you have already contacted the defense attorney you wish to switch to.
The court will determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a change of public defender. If the request is denied, the public defender will remain your counsel, but you always have the right to hire a private attorney.
Arrest, detention, and remand in custody are different forms of deprivation of liberty that may be used during a criminal investigation. In cases of both detention and remand in custody, you have the right to a defense attorney upon request.
The sentence is determined based on the penalty range for the offense and the circumstances of the individual case. The court takes into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances and must consider whether penalties other than imprisonment are possible.
The various penalties – also known as sanctions – to which a person may be sentenced include fines (monetary fines or daily fines), suspended sentences, probation, community service, imprisonment, youth service, youth care, youth supervision, secure youth care, and forensic psychiatric care. In some cases, sanctions can be combined, such as a suspended sentence and community service.
If you’d like to learn more about different types of crimes, classifications, and sentencing guidelines, we’ve put together a detailed overview here.
