Facing Criminal Charges in Turkey? A Guide for Foreigners on Their Rights and Defense
Facing a criminal charge in your own country is daunting. Facing one in a foreign country, where you don't fully understand the language or the legal system, can be terrifying. For foreigners and expatriates in Turkey, an encounter with the criminal justice system requires immediate, expert, and clear-headed guidance. The steps you take—or fail to take—in the first few hours can determine the entire outcome of your case. The Critical First Steps: What to Do Immediately The most critical phase of any criminal case is the initial police interrogation and detention period. At this moment, you have fundamental rights that must be protected. The two golden rules are: Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent: You are not obligated to answer any questions without your lawyer present. Anything you say can be used against you. Demand a Lawyer Immediately: This is your constitutional right. Do not sign any documents or give any statements until an expert Turkish criminal lawyer...