When the police investigates cases

If the police consider it necessary to initiate criminal investigations based on the information provided, the investigation will commence. In criminal investigations, the following are generally conducted:

• Reporting of the defendant and witnesses, including victims.

• Acquisition of other necessary evidence.

During the investigation, the police must work to find out the truth and the right and take equal care of the issues that look to the acquittal and the guilt.

Investigation terminated

Police may terminate an investigation if there is no basis for continuing it. Reasons may be:

• It turns out that the complaint has not been substantiated.

• The violation is minor and it is predictable that the investigation will result in an unreasonably high amount of effort and costs.

It is not mandatory to give the parties involved the opportunity to speak before such a decision is made. If the police decide to stop the investigation of the case, they shall inform the parties concerned of the decision. It is possible to ask for the police to give reasons for that decision.

The decision appealed

A police decision to discontinue an investigation may be appealed to the State Prosecutor and the appeal period is one month. The State Prosecutor must consider the appeal within three months of receiving it from the office.