1 The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)
Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) with amending laws of:
28 September 2005 [shall come into force from 1 October 2005];
19 January 2006 [shall come into force from 1 February 2006];
21 December 2006 [shall come into force from 1 January 2007];
17 May 2007 [shall come into force from 21 June 2007];
22 November 2007 [shall come into force from 1 January 2008];
19 June 2008 [shall come into force from 23 July 2008];
29 June 2008 [shall come into force from 29 July 2008];
12 March 2009 [shall come into force from 1 July 2009];
11 June 2009 [shall come into force from 14 July 2009];
16 June 2009 [shall come into force from 1 July 2009];
14 January 2010 [shall come into force from 4 February 2010];
21 October 2010 [shall come into force from 1 January 2011];
8 July 2011 [shall come into force from 11 August 2011];
24 May 2012 [shall come into force from 1 July 2012];
15 November 2012 [shall come into force from 14 December 2012];
20 December 2012 [shall come into force from 1 April 2013];
10 January 2013 [shall come into force from 13 February 2013];
14 March 2013 [shall come into force from 1 April 2013];
23 May 2013 [shall come into force from 27 October 2013];
5 September 2013 [shall come into force from 20 September 2013];
12 September 2013 [shall come into force from 1 January 2014];
19 December 2013 [shall come into force from 1 January 2014];
29 May 2014 [shall come into force from 25 June 2014];
16 October 2014 [shall come into force from 1 February 2015];
15 January 2015 [shall come into force from 1 February 2015];
29 January 2015 [shall come into force from 25 February 2015];
8 July 2015 [shall come into force from 1 November 2015];
12 November 2015 [shall come into force from 2 December 2015];
18 February 2016 [shall come into force from 23 March 2016];
23 November 2016 [shall come into force from 1 January 2017];
30 March 2017 [shall come into force from 26 April 2017];
22 June 2017 [shall come into force from 1 August 2017];
28 September 2017 [shall come into force from 1 January 2018];
14 June 2018 (Constitutional Court Judgment) [shall come into force from 15 June 2018];
20 June 2018 [shall come into force from 1 September 2018];
27 September 2018 [shall come into force from 25 October 2018];
21 November 2019 [shall come into force from 24 December 2019].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the date of the amending law appears in square brackets at the
end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in
square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph or clause.
The Saeima 1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 2
Criminal Procedure Law
Part A General Provisions
Chapter 1 Basic Provisions of Criminal Procedure
Section 1. Purpose of the Criminal Procedure Law
The purpose of the Criminal Procedure Law is to determine such procedures for the
criminal proceedings that ensure effective application of the norms of The Criminal Law and
fair regulation of criminal legal relations without unjustified intervention in the life of a person.
[12 March 2009]
Section 2. Sources of the Rights of Criminal Procedure
(1) Criminal procedure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia
(hereinafter – the Constitution), international legal norms, and this Law.
(2) In the application of the legal norms of the European Union, the case law of the Court of
Justice of the European Union shall be taken into account, and in the application of the legal
norms of the Republic of Latvia, the interpretation of the appropriate norm provided in the
judgment of the Constitutional Court shall be complied with.
(3) The norms of the criminal procedure of another country may be applied only in international
co-operation on the basis of a reasoned request from a foreign country, if such request is not in
contradiction to the basic principles of the criminal procedure of Latvia.
[21 October 2010]
Section 3. Power of the Criminal Procedure Law in Space
The Criminal Procedure Law shall determine a uniform procedural order in all criminal
proceedings that are conducted by persons authorised to conduct such proceedings for criminal
offences existing within the jurisdiction of Latvia.
Section 4. Power of the Criminal Procedure Law in Time
The order of criminal proceedings shall be determined by the criminal procedure legal
norm that is in effect at the moment of performing of the procedural activity.
Section 5. Application of the Law in International Co-operation
The legal norm of a foreign country indicated in a reasoned request from the foreign
country may be applied in international co-operation without additional examining its validity.
Chapter 2 Basic Principles of Criminal Proceedings
Section 6. Mandatory Nature of Criminal Proceedings
The official who is authorised to conduct criminal proceedings has an obligation within
his or her competence to initiate criminal proceedings and to lead such proceedings to the fair
regulation of criminal legal relations provided for in The Criminal Law in each case where the
reason and grounds for initiating criminal proceedings have become known.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 3
Section 7. Prosecution in Criminal Proceedings
(1) Criminal proceedings shall be conducted in the interests of society regardless of the will of
the person upon whom the harm was inflicted, if this Law does not specify otherwise. The
prosecution function in criminal proceedings on behalf of the State shall be implemented by a
prosecutor.
(2) Criminal proceedings shall be initiated for the offence provided for in Section 130,
Paragraph two, Sections 131, 132, 1321, 157, 168, 169, and 180, Section 185, Paragraph one,
Section 197, Section 200, Paragraph one, and Section 260, Paragraph one of The Criminal Law,
if a request has been received from the person to whom harm has been inflicted. Criminal
proceedings may also be initiated without the receipt of a request from the person to whom
harm has been inflicted, if such person is not able to implement his or her rights himself or
herself due to a physical or mental deficiency.
[21 October 2010; 14 March 2013; 18 February 2016; 30 March 2017 / Amendment to
Paragraph two regarding the replacement of number “136.” with the number “132.1” shall
come into force on 1 January 2018. See Paragraph 61 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 8. Principle of Equality
The Criminal Procedure Law shall determine a uniform procedural order for all persons
involved in criminal proceedings irrespective of the origin, social and financial situation,
employment, citizenship, race, nationality, attitude toward religion, sex, education, language,
place of residence, and other conditions of such persons.
Section 9. Criminal Procedural Duty
(1) In initiated criminal proceedings, each person has the obligation to fulfil the requirements
of an authorised official for conducting the criminal proceedings and to comply with the
procedural order specified in the Law.
(2) The disputing of the legality and validity of a procedural requirement shall be performed in
accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, yet such disputing does not remove the
obligation to fulfil such requirement.
(3) The rights to an exception from the execution of the duty specified in Paragraph one of this
Section shall be held only by persons for whom immunity from criminal proceedings has been
specified.
Section 10. Immunity from Criminal Proceedings
Immunity from criminal proceedings completely or partially frees a person from
participation in criminal proceedings, as well as from the provision of evidence and the issuance
of documents and objects, and prohibits or restricts the right to perform the criminal prosecution
of such person and to apply compulsory measures against such person, as well as the right to
enter and perform investigative actions on the premises in the possession of such person.
Section 11. Language to be Used in the Criminal Proceedings
(1) The criminal proceedings shall take place in the official language.
(2) If the person who has the right to defence, a victim and his or her representative, a witness,
specialist, expert, auditor, as well as other persons who the person directing the proceedings has
involved in the criminal proceedings does not speak the official language, such persons have
the right to use the language that such persons understand during the performance of procedural
actions, and to use the assistance of an interpreter free of charge, whose participation shall be
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 4
ensured by the person directing the proceedings. In the pre-trial proceedings, the investigating
judge or court shall provide for the participation of an interpreter in the hearing of issues that
fall within the jurisdiction of the investigating judge or court.
(21) A person who has the right to defence, if he or she does not have the knowledge of the
official language, may use the language the person has knowledge of and during the meeting
with the defence counsel use, free of charge, the assistance of an interpreter whose participation
shall be ensured by the person directing the proceedings, in the following cases:
1) to prepare for the interrogation within the pre-trial proceedings or for the trial at a
court hearing;
2) to draw up a written complaint regarding the conduct of an official who handles the
criminal proceedings or regarding the enforcement, amendment or revocation of a ruling and a
procedural compulsory measure;
3) to draw up a document necessary for the trial of the case in the written procedure;
4) to draw up an appellate or cassation complaint.
(22) For a person who has the right to defence and who has been applied a security measure
related to deprivation of liberty, the participation of the interpreter for exercising of the rights
referred to in Paragraph 2.1 of this Section shall be ensured by the relevant place of
imprisonment.
(23) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures and scope of ensuring the assistance of the
interpreter in the cases referred to in Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of this Section.
(3) When issuing procedural documents to a person involved in the criminal proceedings who
does not understand the official language, such person shall be ensured, in the cases provided
for by law, with a translation of such documents in a language understood by such person.
(4) The official conducting criminal proceedings may perform a separate procedural action in
another language by appending a translation of the procedural documents in the official
language.
(5) In the criminal proceedings, complaints received in another language shall be translated into
the official language only in the case of necessity, which shall be determined by the person
directing the proceedings. The person directing the proceedings shall ensure the translation into
the official language of the appellate complaints and cassation complaints against court rulings
received in another language.
(6) The provisions of this Section regarding the right of a person to use the language that the
person has knowledge of and to use the assistance of an interpreter free of charge shall also
apply to persons with hearing, speech or visual impairments. When issuing procedural
documents to such persons in the cases provided for by the law, the availability of such
documents in the language or the manner which such persons are able to perceive shall be
ensured.
[19 January 2006; 23 May 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 12. Guaranteeing of Civil Rights
(1) Criminal proceedings shall be conducted in conformity with internationally recognised civil
rights and without allowing for the imposition of unjustified criminal procedural obligations or
excessive intervention in the life of a person.
(2) Civil rights may be restricted only in cases where such restriction is required for public
security reasons, and only in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law according
to the nature and severity of the criminal offence.
(3) The application of security measures related to the deprivation of liberty, the infringement
of the immunity of publicly inaccessible places, and the confidentiality of correspondence and
means of communication shall be permitted only with the consent of the investigating judge or
court.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 5
(31) A criminal proceeding involving a minor shall be conducted by taking into account the age,
maturity and any special needs of the minor.
(4) An official who conducts the criminal proceedings has the obligation to protect the
confidentiality of the private life of a person and the commercial confidentiality of a person.
Information on such confidentiality shall be obtained and used only in the case where such
information is necessary in order to clarify conditions that are to be proven.
(5) A natural person has the right to request that a criminal case does not include information
on the private life, commercial activities, and financial situation of such person or the betrothed,
spouse, parents, grandparents, children grandchildren, brothers or sisters of such person, as well
as of the person with whom the relevant natural person is living together and with whom he or
she has a common (joint) household (hereinafter – the immediate family), if such information
is not necessary for the fair regulation of criminal legal relations.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 13. Prohibition of Torture and Debasement
(1) Debasement, blackmail, torture, the threatening of a person with torture or violence, or the
use of violence shall not be allowed in criminal proceedings.
(2) If a person resists the performance of separate procedural actions, hinders the progress
thereof, or refuses to duly fulfil his or her procedural obligations, the security measures
provided for in the Law for ensuring a specific procedural action may be applied to such person.
(3) In order to overcome the physical resistance of a person, the performer of the procedural
action or, upon his or her invitation, employees of the State police may apply physical force in
exceptional cases, without needlessly inflicting pain on such person or humiliating such person.
Section 14. Rights to the Completion of Criminal Proceedings in a Reasonable Term
(1) Each person has the right to the completion of criminal proceedings within a reasonable
term, that is, without unjustified delay. The completion of criminal proceedings within a
reasonable term is connected with the scope of a case, legal complexity, amount of procedural
activities, attitude of persons involved in the proceedings towards fulfilment of duties and other
objective conditions.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall choose the simplest form of criminal proceedings
that complies with the specific conditions, and shall not allow for unjustified intervention in the
life of a person and unfounded expenditures.
(3) Criminal proceedings wherein a security measure related to the deprivation of liberty has
been applied or a specially procedurally protected person is involved, or wherein a public
official occupying a responsible position is accused, shall have preference, in comparison with
other criminal proceedings, in the ensuring of a reasonable term.
(4) Criminal proceedings regarding a criminal offence which is related to violence committed
by a person upon whom the minor victim is financially or otherwise dependent, or regarding a
criminal offence against morals or sexual inviolability, wherein the victim is a minor, shall have
preference, in comparison with similar criminal proceedings wherein victims are persons of
legal age, in ensuring of a reasonable term. Criminal proceedings against a minor shall have
preference, in comparison with similar criminal proceedings against a person of legal age, in
the ensuring of a reasonable term.
(5) The inobservance of a reasonable term may be the grounds for termination of proceedings
in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 6
Section 15. Rights to Examination of a Matter in Court
Each person has a right to the examination of a matter in a fair, objective, and
independent court.
Section 16. Rights to the Objective Progress of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Officials who conduct criminal proceedings, interpreters, and specialists shall withdraw
from participation in criminal proceedings if such persons are personally interested in the result,
or if conditions exist that justifiably give the persons involved in the criminal proceedings a
reason to believe that such interest may exist.
(2) A person who conducts defence, a victim, the representative of the victim, the owner of
property infringed during criminal proceedings and an official who is authorised to conduct
criminal proceedings, but is not the person directing the proceedings, has the right to raise an
objection if the conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section exist.
(3) The person directing the proceedings or the officials specified in the Law shall, on the basis
of the initiative thereof or on the basis of an objection, suspend the participation of the persons
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section in proceedings if such persons have not excused
themselves.
[22 June 2017]
Section 17. Separation of Procedural Functions
The function of a control of restrictions of human rights in a pre-trial proceedings, and
the function of prosecution, defence, and court judgment in criminal proceedings shall be
separate.
[21 October 2010]
Section 18. Equivalence of Procedural Authorisations
Persons involved in criminal proceedings have authorisation (rights and duties) that
ensures for such persons equivalent actualisation of the tasks and guaranteed rights specified in
laws and regulations.
[12 March 2009]
Section 19. Presumption of Innocence
(1) No person shall be considered guilty until the guilt of such person in the committing of a
criminal offence has been determined in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(2) A person who has the right to defence shall not need to prove his or her innocence.
(3) All reasonable doubts regarding guilt which cannot be eliminated shall be evaluated as
beneficial for the person who has the right to defence.
(4) If a public official who is not a person involved in criminal proceedings has made a public
statement on the guilt of the person, thus violating the presumption of innocence, the person
directing the proceedings shall, upon a motivated submission of the person, publicly inform of
the violation of the principle of presumption of innocence, but the copy of the submission shall
be sent for evaluation to the authority which can decide on the liability of the official.
[27 September 2018]
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Section 20. Right to Defence
(1) Each person regarding whom an assumption or allegation has been expressed that such
person has committed a criminal offence has the right to defence, that is, the right to know what
offence such person is suspected of committing or is being accused of committing, and to
choose his or her position of defence.
(2) A person may implement the right to defence by himself or herself, or invite as a defence
counsel, at his or her own choice, a person who may be a defence counsel in accordance with
this Law.
(3) The participation of a defence counsel is mandatory in the cases determined in this Law.
(4) If a person who has the right to defence has not entered into an agreement on defence, but
wishes the participation of the defence counsel, the State shall provide defence thereto and
decide on the remuneration of the defence counsel from the State funds by completely or
partially exempting the person from this payment.
[27 September 2018]
Section 21. Rights to Co-operation
(1) The person who has the right to defence may co-operate with an official authorised to
conduct criminal proceedings in order to promote the regulation of criminal legal relations.
(2) Co-operation may be expressed in the following ways:
1) in the selection of the simplest form of proceedings;
2) in the promotion of the progress of proceedings;
3) in the disclosure of criminal offences committed by other persons.
(3) Co-operation is possible from the moment of the commencement of criminal proceedings
until the execution of a punishment.
Section 22. Rights to Compensation for Inflicted Harm
A person upon whom harm has been inflicted by a criminal offence shall, by taking into
account the moral injury, physical suffering, and financial loss thereof, be guaranteed
procedural opportunities for the request and receipt of moral and financial compensation.
Section 23. Court Adjudication
A court shall administer justice in criminal matters by examining and deciding the
validity of charges brought against a person, acquitting persons who are not guilty, or finding
persons guilty of committing a criminal offence in a court hearing and determining a regulation
of criminal legal relations that must be enforced by State authorities and persons and the
enforcement of which, if necessary, may be implemented by forced conveyance.
Section 24. Protection of a Person and Property in the Case of a Threat
(1) A person who is threatened in connection to the fulfilment of his or her criminal procedural
obligation has the right to request the person directing the proceedings to take the measures
provided for by law for the protection of such person and his or her property, as well as for the
protection of the immediate family of such person.
(2) When receiving the information referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the person
directing the proceedings shall, depending on the specific circumstances, decide on the
necessity to take one or more of the following measures:
1) to initiate another criminal proceeding for the investigation of the threat;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 8
2) to select a corresponding security measure for the person in the interest of whom the
threat has taken place;
3) to institute determination of special procedural protection for the person who is being
threatened;
4) to assign law enforcement institutions with the task of protecting the person or his or
her property, as well as protecting the immediate family of such person.
(3) If the measures referred to in Paragraph two of this Section are not able to prevent an actual
threat to the life of a person, the person directing the proceedings shall refuse the use of the
evidence that is the case of the threat.
[18 February 2016]
Section 25. Inadmissibility of Double Jeopardy (ne bis in idem)
(1) Nobody shall be tried or punished again for an offence for which he or she has already been
acquitted or punished in Latvia or in a foreign country by a ruling made in accordance with the
procedures laid down in law and in effect in a criminal case or a case of administrative violation.
(2) Repeated adjudication or punishment is not:
1) a trial de novo of a criminal case when newly discovered circumstances are
established;
2) a trial of a criminal case or determination of a punishment in such criminal
proceedings in which a prosecutor’s penal order has been revoked in the cases and in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the law;
3) a trial de novo of a criminal case if a substantial violation of substantive or procedural
legal norms has been admitted in the previous proceedings.
(3) Repeated adjudication or punishment shall not be possible in cases when the ruling made in
an administrative violation case ceases to be in effect in criminal proceedings upon the existence
of the following circumstances:
1) knowingly false testimonies provided by a victim or witness, knowingly false expert
opinion or a translation, forgery of the minutes of court operations or decisions, and also forgery
of other evidence, which formed the grounds for making an unlawful ruling, have been
recognised by a valid ruling;
2) an illegal action of an official, which formed the grounds for making an unlawful
ruling, has been recognised by a valid ruling;
3) a circumstance has been established which was not known to the person making the
ruling in making the ruling and which on its own or together with previously determined
circumstances indicates that the person has committed a more serious offence than the offence
for which an administrative punishment was applied to the person.
(4) If, upon taking a decision to hold a person criminally liable, the circumstances
referred to in Paragraph three of this Section have been established and the ruling made in the
administrative violation case has not been repealed, it shall cease to be in effect.
(5) In the cases referred to in Paragraphs two and three of this Section the criminal punishment
served shall be included in the new punishment as defined in The Criminal Law, and the
administrative punishment shall be taken into account upon determining the new punishment.
[18 February 2016]
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Division One
Persons Involved in Criminal Proceedings
Chapter 3 Officials who Conduct Criminal Proceedings
Section 26. Authorisation to Conduct Criminal Proceedings
(1) The authorisation to conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the State shall be held only
by officials of the institutions specified in this Law to whom such authorisation has been
granted in connection with an office held by these persons, an order of the head of institution
or a decision of the person directing the criminal proceedings.
(2) The following shall have authorisation in a specific criminal proceeding:
1) the person directing the proceedings;
2) a member of the investigative group;
3) the supervising prosecutor;
4) an official authorised to conduct criminal proceedings who executes the task of the
person directing the proceedings, a member of the investigative group, or the court to perform
procedural actions (hereinafter – the executor of procedural tasks);
5) an expert from an expert-examination institution;
6) an expert who does not work at an expert-examination institution, if the person
directing the criminal proceedings has assigned him or her to perform an expert-examination;
7) an auditor on the assignment of the person directing the proceedings;
8) the direct supervisor of an investigator;
9) the higher-ranking prosecutor;
10) the investigating judge;
11) the counsel for the prosecution.
(3) A judge and prosecutor, as well as court, prosecutorial, and investigating institutions and
the heads of the divisions thereof shall have authorisation in the deciding of organisational
matters of proceedings, complaints, and recusals.
(4) Officials of the authorities of the European Union shall be authorised to conduct criminal
proceedings in the cases determined in the legal norms of the European Union.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 27. Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall be the official or court that leads the criminal
proceedings at the specific moment. The person directing the proceedings shall:
1) organise the progress of criminal proceedings and the record-keeping therein;
2) take decision on direction of the criminal proceedings;
3) implement State authorisation in the relevant step or stage of the criminal proceedings
by oneself or by involving another official;
4) request that each person fulfils a criminal procedural duty and complies with
procedural order;
5) ensure the opportunity for persons involved in criminal proceedings to implement the
rights specified in the Law.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall be:
1) an investigator or in exceptional cases a prosecutor – in an investigation;
2) a prosecutor – in a criminal prosecution;
3) a judge who leads the trial – in preparing a case for trial, as well as from the moment
when the ruling with which legal proceedings are completed in the court of the relevant instance
is announced, until the transferral of the case to the next court instance or until execution of the
ruling;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 10
4) the composition of a court – during trial;
5) a judge – after entering into effect of a court ruling.
(3) An investigative group may be established for conducting the pre-trial criminal proceedings
whose leader is the relevant person directing the proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 28. Investigator
An investigator shall be an official of an investigating institution who is authorised with
an order of the head of the investigating institution to perform an investigation in criminal
proceedings.
Section 29. Duties and Rights of an Investigator as the Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) An investigator has a duty:
1) to examine information, which indicate the possible commitment of a criminal
offence, and to initiate criminal proceedings as soon as a reason and grounds specified in the
Law have been determined or to refuse to initiate criminal proceedings;
2) to perform investigative actions in order to ascertain whether a criminal offence has
taken place, who committed such an offence, whether a person must be held criminally liable
for such offence, and to ascertain such person and acquire evidence that gives grounds for
holding such person criminally liable;
21) [This Clause shall come into force concurrently with the regulatory enactment
determining the competent authority which evaluates the risk and protection factors of the
minor who has the right to defence, and shall be included on the day when the respective
regulatory enactment comes into force. See Paragraph 68 of Transitional Provisions];
3) to take all measures provided for in the Law for ensuring compensation for harm;
4) to select the simplest form of criminal proceedings corresponding to the specific
circumstances, and also to select and perform such procedural actions that would ensure the
achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings as quickly and economically as possible;
5) to fulfil the orders of the direct supervisor, supervising prosecutor, or higher-ranking
prosecutor thereof or the penal orders of the investigating judge;
6) in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law to suspend
or terminate criminal proceedings.
(2) An investigator has the right:
1) to take any procedural decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in law
and to perform any procedural action or assign the performance thereof to a member of an
investigative group or the executor of procedural tasks;
2) to propose for the supervising prosecutor to decide the matter regarding the initiation
of criminal prosecution;
3) to appeal the instructions of the direct supervisor thereof;
4) to appeal the decisions and instructions of the supervising prosecutor;
5) to appeal the instructions of a higher-ranking prosecutor;
6) to appeal the decision of an investigating judge.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 30. Member of an Investigative Group
(1) A member of an investigative group shall be a prosecutor or an official of an investigating
institution authorised to conduct criminal proceedings who has been included in the
composition of the investigative group with a decision of the competent official of an
investigating institution or a higher-ranking prosecutor.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 11
(2) Upon an assignment of the person directing the criminal proceedings and within the
framework specified thereby, a member of an investigative group has the right to perform
procedural actions and take procedural decisions, except for decisions on the direction of
criminal proceedings, on application, amending or revocation of security measures, on
imposing or revocation of arrest on property, as well as on the status or change in status of such
person who has the right to defence.
(3) A member of an investigative group may appeal an assignment of the person directing the
proceedings without suspending the execution thereof.
(4) A member of an investigative group shall appeal the instructions of the direct supervisor of
an investigator and a supervising prosecutor, as well as shall raise objection, with the
intermediation of the person directing the proceedings.
(5) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 31. Direct Supervisor of an Investigator
(1) The direct supervisor of an investigator shall be the head of an investigating institution or a
division thereof, or his or her deputy, who has been assigned, in accordance with the distribution
of duties or an individual order, to control the conduct of specific criminal proceedings during
an investigation.
(2) The direct supervisor of an investigator has a duty:
1) to ensure that the officials subordinated thereto commence criminal proceedings in a
timely manner;
2) to organise the work of executors of procedural tasks;
3) to confer procedural authorisation to the necessary circle of officials subordinated
thereto, in order to ensure that criminal proceedings take place in a targeted manner and without
unjustified delay;
4) to give instructions regarding the direction of an investigation and the conduct of
investigative actions, if the person directing the proceedings does not ensure a targeted
investigation and allows for unjustified intervention in the life of a person or a delay.
(3) The direct supervisor of an investigator has a duty:
1) to become acquainted with the materials of the criminal proceedings in the record-
keeping of the official subordinated thereto;
2) to take organisational decisions significant to the proceedings, that is, to determine
criteria for the distribution of criminal proceedings, to transfer criminal proceedings to another
person directing the proceedings, to establish an investigative group within the competence
thereof, and to assume leadership of criminal proceedings;
3) to participate in the procedural actions that are performed by the person directing the
proceedings or a member of an investigative group;
4) to perform an investigative action by informing the person directing the proceedings
beforehand regarding such carrying out of the investigative action;
5) to give instructions and to revoke the decisions taken unjustifiably and unlawfully by
the officials subordinated thereto;
6) to appeal the decision of and instructions given by the prosecutor, returning the
criminal case to the investigating institution for continuing the investigation.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 32. Executor of Procedural Tasks
(1) The executor of procedural tasks shall be an official of an investigating institution, or a
prosecutor, who the person directing the proceedings has assigned to carry out one or more
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investigative actions, without including him or her in the composition of the investigative
group.
(2) The executor of procedural tasks shall be liable for the qualitative execution of an assigned
investigative action, and he or she has an obligation to inform the person directing the
proceedings about all facts that may be significant to legal and fair completion of criminal
proceedings.
Section 33. Expert of an Expert-examination Institution
(1) An expert of an expert-examination institution has authorisation to conduct criminal
proceedings if he or she has acquired the right to perform specific types of expert-examination
and has received a task of the person directing the proceedings.
(2) An expert on the assignment of the person directing the proceedings shall:
1) conduct an expert-examination, if a study has to be conducted in order to obtain
information necessary for evidence using special knowledge, devices, and substances;
2) perform inspections of the site of the event or other sites, the corpse, the terrain, and
objects;
3) conduct an examination of persons;
4) remove samples for comparative research;
5) participate in the performance of other investigative actions;
6) use special knowledge for the discovery and removal of traces and other items of the
criminal offence.
(3) An expert has the right:
1) to familiarise himself or herself with the materials of the criminal case;
2) to request from the person directing the proceedings the additional information and
materials necessary for the performance of an expert-examination;
3) to refuse to perform an expert-examination (give a conclusion), if the submitted
materials are not sufficient or the questions posed exceed the competence thereof;
4) to ask questions within the limits of the subject of the expert-examination to persons
which are being interrogated with a permit of or via the person directing the proceedings.
(4) An expert has the right to perform the expert-examination specified by the person directing
the proceedings or a participant of the investigative group and to provide answers to questions
posed. If an expert is of the conclusion that he or she may acquire information, using special
knowledge, that is important to the criminal proceedings, and regarding which a question has
not been posed, he or she shall inform the person directing the proceedings regarding such
acquisition in writing.
(5) An expert shall fulfil his or her obligations:
1) on the basis of an instruction given by the person directing the proceedings that has
been recorded in the account of the investigative actions in which the expert is a participant.
2) in accordance with a procedural decision to determine an expert-examination.
[12 March 2009]
Section 34. Invited Expert
(1) The person directing the proceedings may invite, and assign with a decision, a person to
perform an expert-examination who is not an expert of an expert-examination institution, but
whose knowledge and practical experience is sufficient for the performance of expert-
examination.
(2) An invited expert has the rights indicated in Section 33, Paragraphs three and four of this
Law, as well as the rights to receive reimbursement for those expenses arisen due to arrival
upon invitation of a person directing the criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 13
Section 35. Auditor
(1) An auditor shall have the authorisation to conduct criminal proceedings if he or she has
obtained the relevant qualification, obtained a certificate, in accordance with the procedures
laid down in the law, for performing audits, and has received a specific task specified in a
decision of the person directing the proceedings or recorded in the account of the investigative
action.
(2) Upon an assignment of the person directing the proceedings, an auditor shall:
1) take inventory;
2) perform the inspection and removal of documents;
3) inspect goods, products, and raw materials in the amount necessary for the performing
of an audit;
4) provide a description of economic and financial activity in an account, if it is possible
to give such a description without the performing of an audit;
5) question witnesses or participate in the interrogation thereof;
6) perform an audit in the amount co-ordinated with the person directing the
proceedings;
7) familiarise interested persons with audit materials;
8) provide an auditor assessment on the objections of interested persons.
Section 36. Prosecutor in Criminal Proceedings
(1) A prosecutor in criminal proceedings shall realise investigation supervision, investigation,
criminal prosecution, the maintenance of State prosecution and other functions specified in this
Law.
(2) A prosecutor shall decide, in the cases determined by law, the question regarding the
commencement of criminal proceedings, and shall conduct investigations himself or herself.
[19 January 2006]
Section 37. Prosecutor Supervising Investigation
(1) The prosecutor who must perform supervision of an investigation in accordance with the
distribution of duties specified in a prosecutorial institution, or an order in specific criminal
proceedings, shall be the supervising prosecutor.
(2) During an investigation, a supervising prosecutor has a duty:
1) to give instructions regarding the selection of the form of proceedings, the direction
of an investigation and the conduct of investigative actions, if the person directing the
proceedings does not ensure a targeted investigation and allows for unjustified intervention in
the life of a person or a delay;
2) to request that the direct supervisor of an investigator replace the person directing the
proceedings, or make changes in the investigative group, if assigned instructions are not
fulfilled or if procedural violations are allowed that threaten the progress of criminal
proceedings;
3) [28 September 2005];
4) [12 March 2009];
5) to examine complaints within the competence thereof;
6) to decide rejections within the competence thereof;
7) to take over the direction of criminal proceedings without delay when sufficient
evidence for the fair regulation of criminal legal relations has been obtained in an investigation.
(3) The prosecutor supervising an investigation has the right to:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 14
1) take a decision to initiate criminal proceedings and to transfer them to an investigating
institution;
2) give instructions and request execution of the provided instructions;
3) carry out investigative actions, informing the person directing the proceedings
beforehand regarding such carrying out of investigative actions;
4) familiarise himself or herself at any time with the materials of the criminal
proceedings;
5) revoke the decisions of the person directing the proceedings and a member of the
investigative group, and also the decisions of the direct supervisor of the investigator which are
not related to organisational issues of significance to the proceedings;
6) submit a proposal to a higher-ranking prosecutor regarding the determination of the
direct supervisor of another investigator in specific criminal proceedings, or the transfer of
criminal proceedings to another investigating institution;
7) participate in a meeting wherein the investigating judge decides on granting the
permission to apply compulsory measures and to perform special investigative actions;
8) to participate in the performance of the procedural actions that are directed at co-
operation with the person who has the right to defence, as well as to participate in the selection
of simpler proceedings.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 38. Prosecutor as the Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) A supervising prosecutor acquires the status of the person directing the proceedings from
the moment when he or she takes over the leadership of criminal proceedings and decides on
the initiation of criminal proceedings:
1) on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the proceedings of an investigation;
2) on the basis of an instruction of a higher-ranking prosecutor;
3) on the basis of his or her own initiative.
(2) A higher-ranking prosecutor may impose the duties of the person directing the proceedings
on another prosecutor.
(3) In exceptional cases, the Prosecutor General, the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice
Department of the Office of the Prosecutor General, or of a court district may determine a
prosecutor as the person directing the proceedings in the investigative stage.
Section 39. Duties and Rights of a Prosecutor – Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) A prosecutor has the following duties as the person directing the proceedings:
1) to not permit unjustified delay and to initiate criminal prosecution in the term
specified in the Law;
11) to select the most simple form for the completion of pre-trial criminal proceedings
corresponding to the specific circumstances, and also to select and carry out such procedural
actions that would ensure the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings as quickly
and economically as possible;
2) withdraw from criminal prosecution and termination criminal proceedings if the
prerequisites provided for such withdrawal or termination exist in the Law;
3) determine the criminal cases to be transferred to a court, and the set of materials of
an archive file;
4) issue to a person who has the right to defence copies or true copies of the materials
of the criminal case to be transferred to a court (hereinafter – the copies) or to acquaint such
person according to the procedures laid down in law with the materials of the criminal case to
be transferred to a court;
5) issue to a victim copies of materials provided for in the Law;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 15
6) decide on submitted applications;
61) request an evaluation report from the State Probation Service regarding a person who
has been accused of committing a criminal offence directed against morality and gender
inviolability;
62) request from the State Probation Service an evaluation report on the minor who has
been accused of committing a criminal offence;
7) submit to a court an agreement that was entered into with the accused regarding the
admission of guilt and a punishment;
8) take a decision to transfer a criminal case to a court, and submit the criminal case to
the court;
9) terminate criminal proceedings if grounds specified in the Law have been determined;
10) submit a criminal case for trial in accordance with the special procedures of
proceedings.
(2) A prosecutor has the following rights in criminal prosecution:
1) to terminate criminal prosecution and to determine additional investigation;
2) to take any procedural decision in accordance with the procedures laid down by the
law and to perform any procedural action or assign the performance thereof to a member of an
investigative group or the executor of procedural tasks;
3) to terminate criminal proceedings, applying the prosecutor’s penal order;
4) to prepare an draft agreement;
5) to submit proposals for the recognition of specified facts as proven without an
verification of evidence in a court;
6) if necessary, to request an evaluation report of a person from the State Probation
Service.
(21) Within the scope of the proceedings regarding the application of coercive measures on a
legal person the public prosecutor has the right terminate the proceedings by applying the
injunction of a public prosecutor regarding a coercive measure.
(3) If a preliminary ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the interpretation
or validity of the legal norms of the European Union is necessary for the acceptance of a
procedural decision, a prosecutor may propose that the Prosecutor General sends the uncertain
matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 14 March 2013; 12 November 2015;
20 June 2018; 27 September 2018 / Clause 6.2 of Paragraph one shall come into force on
1 January 2019. See Paragraph 69 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 40. Investigating Judge
An investigating judge shall be the judge whom the chairperson of the district (city)
court has assigned, for a specific term in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law, the control over the respect for human rights in criminal proceedings.
Section 41. Duties and Rights of an Investigating Judge
(1) An investigating judge has the following duties during an investigation and criminal
prosecution:
1) to decide on the application of compulsory measures in the cases provided for by law;
2) to decide on the applications of a suspect or an accused regarding the amending or
revoking of the security measures thereof that have been applied with a decision of the
investigating judge;
3) to examine complaints, in the cases provided for by law, regarding a security measure
applied by the person directing the proceedings;
4) to decide, in the cases provided for by law, on the performance of procedural actions;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 16
5) [12 March 2009];
6) to decide on complaints in relation to an unjustified violation during criminal
proceedings of confidentiality that is protected by law;
7) [12 March 2009];
8) [12 March 2009];
9) [12 March 2009];
10) to decide on the request of a person who has the right to defence on the exemption
from payment for the assistance of an advocate.
(2) From a court of first instance to the commencement of trial of a case, an investigating judge
has a duty to decide on the following:
1) the application of an accused in relation to the amending or revocation of security
measures;
2) the proposal of a prosecutor in relation to the selection or amendment of a security
measure;
3) the acquaintance of a person involved in criminal proceedings, who has the right to
get acquainted with the materials of a criminal case, with special investigative actions that are
not attached to a criminal case (primary documents).
(3) An investigating judge shall not be permitted to replace the person directing the proceedings
and the supervising prosecutor in pre-trial criminal proceedings by giving instructions regarding
the direction of an investigation and the performance of investigative actions.
(4) An investigating judge has the following rights during an investigation and criminal
prosecution:
1) to familiarise himself or herself with all materials in a criminal proceeding wherein a
proposal of the person directing the proceedings, a complaint or application of a person, or
application for removal has been submitted;
2) to request additional information from the person directing the proceedings in
criminal proceedings wherein special investigative actions are being performed or a security
measure related to a deprivation of liberty is applied, as well as to determine terms for
performance of special investigative actions;
3) to apply a procedural sanction regarding the non-execution of duties or the non-
observance of procedures during pre-trial criminal proceedings;
4) to propose that officials who are authorised to conduct criminal proceedings are held
liable for infringements of human rights that have been permitted as a result of an actualisation
of criminal procedural authorisation.
(5) An investigating judge may also have other rights and duties specially specified in this Law.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 21 October 2010]
Section 42. Maintainer of State Prosecution
(1) A state prosecution shall be maintained in a court of first instance by the prosecutor who
has transferred the criminal case to the court. A higher-ranking prosecutor may assign the
maintenance of prosecution to another prosecutor.
(2) A state prosecution shall be maintained in an appellate court to the extent possible by the
same prosecutor who maintained such prosecution in a court of first instance. A higher-ranking
prosecutor may assign the maintenance of the state prosecution to another prosecutor.
(3) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 17
Section 43. Authorisation of a Maintainer of State Prosecution in a Court of First Instance
and Appellate Court
(1) In maintaining prosecution in a court of first instance and appellate court, a prosecutor has
the following duties and rights:
1) to refuse the maintenance of prosecution with the consent of a higher-ranking
prosecutor, if reasonable doubts exist regarding the guilt of the accused;
2) to submit a recusation, if grounds specified by law exist;
3) to express himself or herself regarding each matter to be decided in court;
4) to direct a verification of evidence of the prosecution, and to participate in a
verification of other evidence;
5) to request an interval for the submission of additional evidence or for the drawing up
of a new prosecution;
6) to submit requests;
7) to speak in court debates;
8) to familiarise himself or herself with the minutes of a court hearing, full text of a
ruling, and complaints submitted by persons;
9) to appeal court rulings, if there are grounds to do so.
(2) A prosecutor shall have the authorisations indicated in Paragraph one of this Section in all
criminal proceedings regardless of the special features of the progress of proceedings in cases
of separate categories.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 43.1 Prosecutor in a Cassation Court
(1) In a cassation court, a prosecutor shall express a position regarding the legality and
justification of a court ruling.
(2) A prosecutor in a cassation court has the rights and duties specified in Chapter 54 of this
Law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 44. Maintainer of Private Prosecution
[21 October 2010]
Section 45. Higher-ranking Prosecutor in Criminal Proceedings
(1) A higher-ranking prosecutor shall control, in accordance with the procedures laid down in
the law, how a prosecutor implements his or her authorisation.
(2) The following shall fulfil the duties of a higher-ranking prosecutor:
1) the chief prosecutor of a district (city), if the functions of a prosecutor specified in
this Law are performed by a prosecutor of the relevant office of the prosecutor;
2) the chief prosecutor of a court district, if the functions of a prosecutor specified in
this Law are performed by a prosecutor of the relevant office of the prosecutor or a chief
prosecutor of the district level, and also, on the basis of his or her own initiative, if such
functions are performed by the district (city) office of the prosecutor or a prosecutor of an office
of the prosecutor of a status equivalent thereto;
3) the chief prosecutor of the Office of the Prosecutor General, if the functions of a
prosecutor specified in this Law are performed by the chief prosecutor or a prosecutor of the
Division of the Office of the Prosecutor General, a prosecutor of the Department of the Office
of the Prosecutor General, or the chief prosecutor of a court district, as well as on the basis of
the initiative thereof;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 18
4) the Prosecutor General, if the functions of a prosecutor specified in this Law are
performed by the chief prosecutor of the Department of the Office of the Prosecutor General;
5) any prosecutor, if he or she has been authorised in specific criminal proceedings by
the Prosecutor General or the chief prosecutor of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
(3) [19 January 2006]
[19 January 2006]
Section 46. Duties and Rights of a Higher-ranking Prosecutor
(1) A higher-ranking prosecutor has the following duties:
1) to decide on complaints in relation to the decisions and actions of a supervising
prosecutor and a prosecutor – person directing the proceedings;
2) to decide on the withdrawal of a supervising prosecutor and prosecutor – person
directing the proceedings from participation in criminal proceedings or regarding the
recusations submitted thereto;
3) to decide on the proposal of a supervising prosecutor to replace the direct supervisor
of an investigator or an investigating institution;
4) to replace a supervising prosecutor or prosecutor – person directing the proceedings,
if supervision and criminal prosecution is not completely ensured;
5) to establish an investigative group, if the amount of work jeopardises the completion
of criminal proceedings in a reasonable term;
6) to replace a maintainer of state prosecution, if the maintenance of prosecution is not
completely ensured;
7) to decide whether withdrawal from prosecution is justified and lawful.
(2) A higher-ranking prosecutor has the following rights:
1) to familiarise himself or herself with all materials in a criminal proceeding wherein
he or she fulfils the functions of a higher-ranking prosecutor;
2) to determine a supervising prosecutor, if it is necessary to deviate from the principles
of the distribution of criminal proceedings that were previously approved;
3) assign a prosecutor the execution of the functions of a supervising prosecutor or a
prosecutor – person directing the proceedings, or undertake such functions himself or herself;
4) to request that the head of an investigating institution to whom the direct supervisor
of an investigator is administratively subordinated in specific criminal proceedings determine
another supervisor in such proceedings;
5) to assign another investigating institution to perform an investigation in criminal
proceedings;
6) to give instructions to an investigator, a supervising prosecutor or a prosecutor –
person directing the proceedings regarding the selection of the form of proceedings, the
direction of pre-trial proceedings, and the performance of investigative actions;
7) to revoke the decisions of an investigator, a member of an investigative group, and a
lower-ranking prosecutor;
8) to give instructions to a maintainer of state prosecution regarding the tactic for
verifying evidence and for submitting additional sources of evidence;
9) to decide on the proposal of a maintainer of state prosecution to withdraw from the
maintenance of prosecution in court, approving such decision or assigning another prosecutor
subordinated thereto to maintain the state prosecution, or to undertake such prosecution himself
or herself.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 19
Section 47. Judge as the Person Directing the Proceedings in the Preparation of a
Criminal Case for Trial
(1) In preparing a case for trial, a judge shall:
1) ascertain the jurisdiction of such case for the court;
2) decide the matter on the possibility for the trial of such case;
3) determine the time and place for the trial, and the form of the trial;
4) assign the court chancellery to perform preparatory activities.
(2) During preparation, a judge shall not evaluate evidence and the legal qualification of an
offence, and shall not take decisions on settlement of criminal legal relations.
Section 48. Court as the Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) In examining a criminal case, a court shall have the authorisation of the person directing the
proceedings in the leading of criminal proceedings and in the ensuring of procedural order, as
well as the exclusive right to administer justice.
(2) A court shall do the following to fulfil the function thereof:
1) to request each person to fulfil the criminal procedural obligation and follow the
procedures during a court hearing;
2) to apply procedural sanctions;
3) to participate in a verification of evidence without interfering in the maintenance of
prosecution and the actualisation of defence;
4) to decide received applications, requests, and recusations;
5) to examine and hear a case, and to announce a ruling;
6) to take measures in order to hold liable officials who conduct criminal proceedings
and implement the authorisation thereof fraudulently.
(3) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009]
Section 49. Judge as the Person Directing the Proceedings after Trial of a Case and the
Making of a Ruling
After trial of a case and making of a ruling, and until the transferral of such ruling for
execution or the sending thereof to a court of the next instance, a judge shall:
1) ensure the availability of the minutes of the court hearing and the ruling on the
specified day to all persons provided for in the Law;
2) assign the sending of the criminal case together with submitted complaints to a court
of the next instance;
3) convene the composition of the court in order to decide the unsatisfied objections
attached to the minutes of the court hearing;
4) take the decision to transfer the ruling of the court for execution and to assign the
performance of the necessary activities for the execution of such decision;
5) convene the composition of the court in order to decide matters related to the
execution of the court ruling.
Chapter 4 Conditions that Prohibit the Conduct of Criminal Proceedings
Section 50. Inadmissibility of a Conflict of Interests in Criminal Proceedings
(1) An official shall not be allowed to undertake authorisation to conduct criminal proceedings
if, by doing so, such person comes into a conflict of interests, that is, if the personal interests of
such person do not coincide with the objective of criminal proceedings either directly or
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 20
indirectly, or if conditions exist that justifiably give the person involved in the criminal
proceedings a reason to allow for such interest.
(2) [21 October 2010]
(3) The persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall refuse to conduct criminal
proceedings as soon as a conflict of interests is discovered.
(4) Persons who conduct criminal proceedings have the obligation to achieve the exclusion of
a person who has a conflict of interests from criminal proceedings by taking a decision within
the framework of the competence thereof or by submitting a recusation.
[21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Section 51. Conclusive Conditions of a Conflict of Interests
The existence of a conflict of interests is recognised without any clarification of
additional conditions if an official who conducts criminal proceedings:
1) is in a relation of kinship to the third degree, a relation of affinity to the second degree,
or is married to the person who conducts defence, or with the victim or representative thereof;
2) receives, or if the spouse, children, or parents thereof receive income from the person
who conducts defence, or from the victim or representative thereof;
3) is related to a common household with the person who conducts defence, or with the
victim or representative thereof;
4) has an explicit conflict of interests with the person who conducts defence, or with the
victim or representative thereof;
5) is a witness, victim or representative thereof in such proceedings, or the person in
such proceedings who conducts defence, or has conducted defence or representation of the
victim.
[12 March 2009; 11 June 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 52. Conflict of Interest Conditions for Individual Persons Involved in Criminal
Proceedings
(1) Persons who are mutually connected by marriage, a common household, or kinship of the
first degree shall not be involved in one pre-trial criminal proceedings if such persons are the
following in the specific criminal proceedings:
1) the supervising prosecutor or the person directing the proceedings in an investigation;
2) the higher-ranking prosecutor, person directing the proceedings, or supervising
prosecutor;
3) the investigating judge, person directing the proceedings, or supervising or higher-
ranking prosecutor;
(2) The person who has the right to decide on a recusation shall decide a matter on termination
of the conflict of interests referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) The investigating judge shall not be the person who has been the person directing the
proceedings or supervising prosecutor in the same criminal proceedings.
(4) A judge shall not participate in examination of a case if he or she:
1) has participated in pre-trial criminal proceedings or proceedings of court of first
instance or appellate court in any status;
2) is in kinship to the third degree, affinity to the second degree, or married to another
judge involved in the trial, the maintainer of prosecution, or the prosecutor who has transferred
the criminal case for trial, or if he or she has a common household with the referred to judge,
maintainer of prosecution, or prosecutor.
[27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 21
Section 53. Grounds for a Recusation of an Expert and Auditor
In addition to the conditions referred to in Sections 50 and 51 of this Law, the grounds
for a recusation of an expert and an auditor may also be insufficient professional readiness for
the fulfilment of the relevant obligations.
Section 54. Recusal of Oneself from Conducting the Criminal Proceedings
(1) In a conflict of interest situation, a report on the recusal of oneself from conducting the
criminal proceedings shall be submitted by:
1) a member of an investigative group, an expert, and an auditor – to the person directing
the proceedings;
2) the person directing the proceedings in an investigation and the direct supervisor of
an investigator – to a supervising prosecutor;
3) a supervising prosecutor, person directing the proceedings in criminal proceedings,
or a maintainer of state prosecution – to a higher-ranking prosecutor;
4) a higher-ranking prosecutor – to the next higher-ranking prosecutor;
5) an investigating judge – to the chief judge;
6) a judge until the initiation of trial or after the transfer of ruling for execution – to the
chief judge;
7) a judge, in trying a criminal case – to the composition of the court;
8) the chief judge – to a chief judge of the court that is one level higher.
(2) An official who has received a report shall ensure the replacement of the resigned person,
or shall recognise the resignation as unfounded and assign to continue conducting of the
criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 55. Submission of Recusation
(1) A person who conducts defence, a victim, or a person authorised to conduct proceedings, if
such person has certain conditions that prohibit an official from conducting the specific criminal
proceedings, shall submit the recusation of such person to the persons referred to in Section 54,
Paragraph one of this Law who have the right to decide on the recusation. If a recusation for a
maintainer of a State prosecution is submitted during a court hearing, it shall be decided by the
composition of the court.
(2) In pre-trial criminal proceedings and examination of a case, a recusation shall be submitted
in writing up to the initiation of a trial, but orally during a court hearing, recording such
recusation in the minutes of the court hearing.
(3) A recusation may not be submitted more than once on the same grounds.
(4) A submitted recusation shall not be reasoned with the actions of a person in the specific
criminal proceedings. Actions shall be appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down
in the law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 56. Taking of a Decision on a Submitted Recusation
(1) An examination of the motives for recusation shall be initiated without delay. A decision
shall be taken if the grounds for recusation have been approved or if conviction has been
acquired that the grounds for recusation do not exist.
(2) An explanation shall be received in all cases from the person for whom a recusation has
been submitted.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 22
(3) In exceptional cases, a person may be relieved from the execution of duties until the taking
of a decision.
Section 57. Decision on Recusation or a Refusal to Reject an Appeal
(1) A decision on recusation, or a refusal to reject, taken outside a court hearing may be appealed
within 10 days:
1) a decision of the person directing the proceedings in an investigation – to the
supervising prosecutor;
2) a decision of a supervising prosecutor – to a higher-ranking prosecutor;
3) a decision of a higher-ranking prosecutor – to the next higher-ranking prosecutor;
4) [12 March 2009];
5) [19 January 2006].
(2) The decision taken during a court hearing shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) A decision of the persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall not be subject to
appeal.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 58. Consequences of Failing to Prevent a Conflict of Interests
(1) A person shall be held liable as specified by law if a conflict of interests is not knowingly
prevented, especially if conditions exist that in themselves exclude the participation of the
person in criminal proceedings.
(2) The determination of the conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be
grounds for the revoking of a decision taken by the relevant person and for the doubting of the
admissibility of the acquired evidence.
Chapter 5 Persons who Conduct Defence
Section 59. Grounds for Conducting Defence
(1) Grounds for conducting defence shall be an assumption or allegation expressed in writing
in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law by an official authorised for the
conduct of criminal proceedings that a person has committed a criminal offence.
(2) Depending on acquired evidence, assumptions shall be divided in the following manner:
1) the actual possibility exists that the person has committed the criminal offence to be
investigated (criminal proceedings against the person may be initiated);
2) individual facts provide the grounds to believe that the such person has committed
the criminal offence (the person may be detained);
3) the totality of evidence provides grounds for the assumption that such person has
most likely committed the criminal offence to be investigated (person may be a suspect);
4) the totality of evidence provides grounds for the prosecutor – the person directing the
proceedings to assume that precisely this person has committed the specific criminal offence
(person may be prosecuted);
5) the prosecutor – person directing the proceedings does not doubt that he or she will
be able to convince the court with the existing evidence that reasonable doubts do not exist
regarding the fact that precisely such person has committed a specific criminal offence.
(3) An assumption shall achieve the form of an allegation if:
1) a person who has the right to defence certifies, in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law, that the assumption of a prosecutor is correct, and both affirm that the person
has committed a specific criminal offence;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 23
2) a court, in evaluating evidence, determines that a person has committed a specific
criminal offence.
(4) For a legal person, grounds for conducting defence shall be an assumption expressed by the
person directing the proceedings in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law that
a natural person has committed a criminal offence in the interests or for the benefit of or as a
result of insufficient supervision or control by the very legal person.
(5) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009; 14 March 2013]
Section 60. Persons who Conduct Defence
(1) A person who has the right to defence shall conduct his or her procedural defence, that is, a
person:
1) regarding whom the assumption or allegation referred to in Section 59 of this Law
has been expressed;
2) against whom proceedings are taking place for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature;
3) against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated for non-exonerating
reasons;
4) against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated in connection with the
existence of conditions that exclude criminal liability, if such person disputes his or her own
actions provided for in The Criminal Law.
(11) The person who has performed an act conforming to the constituent elements of a criminal
offence provided for in The Criminal Law, but cannot be held criminally liable due to his or her
juvenility, also has the right to defence. This person has the same right to defence as the person
against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated.
(2) The following also implement the right to procedural defence of a person entitled to
procedural defence:
1) defence counsel;
2) a representative;
3) a person who makes a stand for the exoneration of a deceased person.
(3) If the assumption or allegation referred to in Section 59 of this Law has been expressed
regarding a natural person who operates in the interests of a legal person, such legal person
shall implement its procedural right to defence with the assistance of a representative.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 60.1 Obligation of a Person who has the Right to Defence to Notify Address for
Receiving Consignments
(1) A person who has the right to defence has an obligation to notify in writing a postal or
electronic address of receipt of his or her consignments upon request of the person directing the
criminal proceedings.
(2) By a notification referred to in Paragraph one of this Section a person shall undertake to
receive consignments sent by an official conducting criminal proceedings within 24 hours and
arrive without delay upon invitation of a person directing the criminal proceedings or to fulfil
other referred to criminal procedural obligation.
(4) If a consignment is sent in an adequate manner to the notified address, it shall be considered
that after expiration of the term referred to in Paragraph two of this Section has been received
by an addressee.
(4) A person has a duty immediately, but not later than within one working day, to notify the
person directing the criminal proceedings regarding the change of an address for receiving
consignments indicating a new address.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 24
[12 March 2009]
Section 60.2 Fundamental Rights of a Person who has the Right to Defence in Criminal
Proceedings
(1) A person who has the right to defence has the following rights:
1) to immediately invite a defence counsel and enter into an agreement with him or her
or to use the legal assistance ensured by the State if the person is incapable of entering into an
agreement with the defence counsel at the person’s own expense;
2) to meet a defence counsel in circumstances that ensure confidentiality of the
conversation without a special permit from the person directing the proceedings and without
limitation of time;
3) to receive legal assistance from a defence counsel;
4) to request participation of an advocate for ensuring defence in a separate procedural
action in the cases provided for by the law, if an agreement on defence has not been entered
into yet with a particular advocate or this defence counsel has been unable to appear;
5) to receive from the person directing the proceedings a list of advocates who practice
in the relevant court district, as well as to use telephone free of charge for inviting a defence
counsel;
6) to be notified of what assumption has been made or what suspicion has arisen against
the person or what prosecution has been brought against him or her;
7) to receive an oral or written translation in a language comprehensible to him or her
in accordance with the procedures and in the scope laid down in the law;
8) to stay silent, testify or refuse to testify;
9) to appeal the procedural decisions in the cases, within the terms and in accordance
with the procedures laid down in the law;
10) to request information regarding the direction of the criminal proceedings, regarding
officials who conduct or have conducted the particular criminal proceedings, regarding the
restrictions of the rights applicable to a person and their time periods;
11) to request that a defence counsel be replaced, if the obstacles to his or her
participation determined in the Law exist.
(2) Failure to testify shall not be judged as interference with divulging the truth in the case and
evasion of the pre-trial proceedings and the trial.
(3) In addition to the rights laid down in Paragraph one of this Section the detained, and also
the suspect or the accused, to whom the security measure related to the deprivation of liberty is
applied, has the following rights:
1) to become familiar with those materials of the case which justify the proposal to apply
a security measure related to the deprivation of liberty insofar as such access does not infringe
the fundamental rights of other persons, the interests of the society and does not interfere with
the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings;
2) to request that his or her immediate family, educational institution, employer is
notified of his or her detention or arrest, as well as to contact one of them, insofar as such
contacting does not endanger the fundamental rights of other persons, public interests and does
not hinder the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings. A foreigner has the right
to request that the diplomatic or consular representation of his or her state is notified of his or
her detention or arrest, as well as to contact it;
3) to receive information regarding rights to emergency medical assistance and
healthcare in accordance with the laws and regulations;
4) to receive information regarding the maximum number of hours or months for which
the person’s liberty may be restricted during pre-trial proceedings.
(31) In addition to the rights laid down in Paragraphs one and three of this Section, a minor who
has the right to defence has the following rights:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 25
1) to participate in procedural actions together with a representative;
2) to participate in procedural actions together with a trusted person;
3) right to specific arrangements for the protection of private life;
4) to receive individual assessment;
5) right to have the procedural compulsory measures that are alternative to deprivation
of liberty primarily applied;
6) right to special treatment during the application of the compulsory measure related to
the deprivation of liberty.
(4) As soon as the person has acquired the right to defence, the information related to the rights
laid down in Paragraphs one, three and 3.1 of this Section shall be immediately issued in writing
and, where necessary, explained to him or her. The person shall confirm with his or her
signature that the information has been issued and, where necessary, the rights have been
explained.
[23 May 2013; 29 May 2014; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 61. Person against whom Criminal Proceedings have been Initiated
(1) If the actual possibility exists that a specific person has committed a criminal offence to be
investigated, criminal proceedings shall be initiated against such person. If in initiating
proceedings there is already grounds for the expression of the referred to assumption, then the
specific person shall be indicated in the decision to initiate criminal proceedings.
(2) If in the initiated criminal proceedings information is obtained, that it is possible that the
specific person has committed the criminal offence under investigation, such person shall
acquire the status of a person against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated.
(3) From the moment when the person referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section is
involved in the performance of procedural activities, or the person directing the proceedings
has publicly made known information regarding the initiation of criminal proceedings against
such person, such person shall acquire procedural right to defence.
(4) A person against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated has the fundamental rights
laid down in Section 60.2, as well as the rights determined in Section 66, Paragraph one,
Clauses 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 16 of this Law, and the obligations determined in Section 67,
Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2, 5, and 6 of this Law. Security measures shall not be applied to
such persons.
(5) From the moment indicated in Paragraph three of this Section, a person has the right to the
completion of criminal proceedings in a reasonable term.
(6) During the term of the conducting of procedural activities, a person against whom criminal
proceedings have been initiated shall not be photographed, filmed, or recorded in any other way
with technical means for the purpose of using the obtained materials in the mass media without
the consent of such person.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 23 May 2013; 29 May 2014; 20 June 2018]
Section 62. Detained Person
(1) A detained person shall be a person who is temporarily detained, in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the law, because separate facts provide grounds to believe that such
person has committed a criminal offence.
(2) A person shall acquire the status of detained person at the moment of actual detention.
(3) A person shall lose the status of detained person if:
1) criminal proceedings are terminated as a whole or against the particular person;
2) the person is recognised as a suspect or accused; or
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 26
3) the person is released from a temporary place of detention and has not been
recognised as a suspect or accused. In such case the relevant person shall acquire the status of
a person against whom criminal proceedings have been commenced.
[17 May 2007]
Section 63. Rights of a Detained Person
(1) A detained person has the fundamental rights determined in Section 60.2 of this Law, as
well as the right:
1) to become familiar with the detention protocol and receive an excerpt from this Law
regarding the rights and duties of a detained person;
2) to express orally or in writing his or her attitude in relation to the justification for
detention;
3) to submit a recusation;
4) to submit complaints regarding the actions of officials;
5) to submit requests for the emergency conduct of investigative actions as a result of
which evidence may be acquired for the approval of unjustified suspicions.
(2) An image of a detained person recorded during procedural actions as a photograph, video,
or by other types of technical means shall not be published in the mass media without the
consent of such detained person unless such publication is necessary for the disclosure or
prevention of a criminal offence.
(3) [23 May 2013]
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 23 May 2013; 27 September 2018]
Section 64. Duties of a Detained Person
(1) A detained person has a duty to provide true identifying information regarding himself or
herself.
(2) A detained person has the obligation to allow for himself or herself to be subjected to a
study of an expert, and issue samples the creation of which does not depend on the will of the
person for comparative study.
(3) A detained person shall comply with specified procedures during the conducting of
procedural actions.
[27 September 2018]
Section 65. Suspects
A suspect is such a person as regards whom the totality of evidence provides grounds
for the person directing the proceedings to assume that the investigated criminal offence was
most likely committed by the respective person. The person obtains the status of a suspect from
the moment when the person directing the proceedings takes the relevant decision.
[20 June 2018]
Section 66. Rights of a Suspect
(1) From the moment when a person is notified that he or she is recognised as a suspect, such
person has the fundamental rights determined in Section 60.2 of this Law, as well as the right:
1) to receive a copy of the decision by which such person has been recognised as a
suspect, or a notification of the decision taken in accordance with urgent procedures, and an
excerpt from this Law regarding the rights and obligations of a suspect;
2) [20 June 2018];
3) to submit a recusation;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 27
4) to submit applications regarding the performance of investigative actions and
participation thereof;
5) to participate in investigative actions that are performed on the basis of an application
of such person or his or her defence counsel, if such participation does not hinder the
performance of investigative actions or does not infringe the rights of another person;
6) to receive a reasoned decision if the suspect has been refused participation in the
investigative actions that are performed upon his or her request or upon request of his or her
defence counsel;
7) to familiarise himself or herself with a decision to determine an expert-examination
before transferring it for execution, if the expert-examination applies to such person, and to
request the raising of additional questions regarding in relation to which the expert must give a
conclusion, except cases where an expert-examination has been determined during another
investigative action;
8) to become familiar with the opinion of the expert-examination after receipt thereof,
if the expert-examination has been performed subject to the application of the person;
9) to submit complaints, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law,
regarding action of an official authorised for the conduct of criminal proceedings;
10) [29 May 2014];
11) to express his or her attitude in oral or written form towards suspicions expressed;
12) to require that measures for regulation of criminal legal relations are taken with the
consent of the person;
13) to settle with the victim;
14) to submit an application regarding termination of criminal proceedings;
15) to participate with the investigating judge in examination of proposals of the person
directing the proceedings and the person’s own and his or her defence counsel’s complaints and
applications, unless the Law determines other procedures for examination;
16) to express a wish to co-operate with the officials who are conducting the criminal
proceedings.
(2) An image of a suspect recorded during procedural actions as a photograph, video, or by
other types of technical means shall not be published in the mass media without the consent of
such suspect unless such publication is necessary for the disclosure or prevention of a criminal
offence.
(3) [23 May 2013]
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 23 May 2013; 29 May 2014;
20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 67. Obligations of a Suspect
(1) From the moment when a person is notified that he or she is recognised as a suspect, such
person shall have the following obligations:
1) to arrive for the conduct of the proceedings in a specific time at the place indicated
by an authorised official, if the invitation has been made in accordance with the procedures laid
down in law;
2) to not delay and hinder the progress of criminal proceedings;
3) to comply with the provision of a security measure and the restrictions referred to in
the Law;
4) to allow for himself or herself to be subjected to a study of an expert, and issue
samples the creation of which does not depend on the will of the person for comparative study;
5) to comply with the specified procedures during the performance of procedural
actions;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 28
6) to indicate the fact that during the commitment of the criminal offence, such person
was in another place (hereinafter – the alibi), or the conditions provided for in The Criminal
Law that exclude criminal liability.
(2) The non-execution of the provision of a security measure or the lawful requests of officials,
the violation of specific restrictions, or the non-observance of procedures shall be grounds for
the matter to be decided on the application of a stricter security measure, the determination of
additional restrictions, or the application of procedural sanctions.
[27 September 2018]
Section 68. Termination of the Status of a Suspect
(1) A person shall lose the status of a suspect, if:
1) criminal proceedings are terminated completely or against the specific person;
2) the decision with which such person has been recognised as a suspect is revoked;
3) such person is held criminally liable and the criminal prosecution thereof is initiated;
4) proceedings for determination of compulsory measure of medicinal nature have been
initiated against him or her.
(2) The fact that the decision with which a person has been recognised as a suspect has been
revoked shall not be an obstacle to the repeated recognition of such person as a suspect, if
additional evidence is obtained that provides sufficient grounds for the assumption that
precisely such person has most likely committed a criminal offence; nevertheless, such person
shall retain the rights to the completion of criminal proceedings in a reasonable term. If the
decision is revoked, but criminal proceedings are not terminated against the relevant person,
such person shall retain the status of the person against whom the criminal proceedings have
been initiated.
(3) A person against whom criminal prosecution has been initiated may not be recognised as a
suspect for the same criminal offence.
[12 March 2009]
Section 69. Accused Person
(1) An accused person shall be the person who is held criminally liable, with a decision of the
person directing the proceedings, regarding the committing of a criminal offence, and against
whom initiated criminal proceedings have not been terminated, and who has not been acquitted
or found guilty with a court judgment that has entered into effect.
(2) One and the same person may not simultaneously be the accused and the suspect in the same
criminal proceedings.
Section 70. Rights of an Accused in Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) An accused has the same rights in pre-trial criminal proceedings as a suspect, as well as the
following rights:
1) after completion of pre-trial criminal proceedings, to receive copies of all the
materials of a criminal case to be transferred to a court, which relate to the accusation brought
against him or her and his or her personality, if such materials have not been issued earlier or
with the consent of a prosecutor to become acquainted with these materials;
2) to submit applications up to the end of the pre-trial criminal proceedings and to
become acquainted with the received or presented materials of a criminal case to be transferred
to a court;
3) after completion of pre-trial criminal proceedings, to submit an application to the
investigating judge requesting that he or she be acquainted with the materials of special
investigative actions that are not attached to the criminal case (primary documents);
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 29
4) to give consent or not give consent to the termination of criminal proceedings,
conditionally freeing him or her from criminal liability, or to the prosecutor’s penal order;
5) to agree with the person directing the proceedings – prosecutor regarding the
completion of criminal proceedings in an agreement process;
6) to agree with the person directing the proceedings – prosecutor regarding the
possibility for a criminal case in a prosecution wherein the accused is incriminated to be
examined in court without verification of evidence;
7) to revoke the complaints of defence counsel.
(2) Separate rights may be restricted in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law,
or implemented in a particular way, depending on the selected form of proceedings.
(3) [23 May 2013]
(4) Following the completion of the pre-trial criminal proceedings and receipt of a decision to
transfer the case to a court the accused may submit to a court those requests which have arisen
upon getting acquainted with the materials of the case.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 23 May 2013]
Section 71. Rights of an Accused in a Court of First Instance
An accused in a court of first instance has the fundamental rights determined in
Section 60.2 of this Law, as well as the right:
1) to find out the place and time of the trial in a timely manner;
2) to participate in person in the trial of the criminal case;
3) to submit a recusation;
4) [27 September 2018];
5) to agree to the non-performance of a verification of evidence in a court hearing;
6) to express his or her opinion regarding each matter to be discussed, if it applies to his
or her prosecution or personal characterising data;
7) to participate in examination of each piece of evidence, performed directly and orally,
if the evidence applies to his or her prosecution or personal characterising data;
8) to submit to the court a reasoned request to express his or her opinion and participate
in verification of evidence also in cases if the matter or evidence to be verified does not directly
apply to his or her prosecution or personal characterising data;
9) to submit requests;
10) to speak in court debates, if the defence counsel does not participate;
11) to say the last word;
12) to receive a copy of a court ruling and familiarise himself or herself with the minutes
of a court hearing, as well as to submit notes thereon in writing, which shall be attached to the
materials of the criminal case;
13) to appeal a court ruling in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law.
[23 May 2013; 27 September 2018]
Section 72. Rights of an Accused in an Appellate Court
(1) In an appellate court, the rights of an accused are to be held by an accused:
1) who has submitted an appellate complaint;
2) regarding the prosecution of whom a prosecutor or victim has submitted an appellate
protest or complaint;
3) whose interests are directly infringed upon with an appellate complaint in the part
regarding the prosecution of another accused; and
4) if a judge – person directing the proceedings has recognised such rights as necessary.
(2) In a hearing of an appellate court, an accused has the same rights as in a court of first
instance, as well as the right:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 30
1) to receive copies of the appellate complaint or protest that is the grounds for his or
her participation in an appellate court;
2) to receive information regarding the term for examination of complaints;
3) to submit objections or explanations regarding the appellate complaint or protest;
4) to maintain and justify his or her complaint, or withdraw his or her complaint or the
complaint of a defence counsel.
(3) If a complaint is examined in a written procedure in an appellate court, an accused has the
right:
1) to receive copies of the appellate complaint or protest that is the grounds for his or
her participation in the appellate court;
2) to submit objections or explanations regarding the appellate complaints and protest,
as well as submit objections against trial of the case in a written procedure;
3) to submit a recusation to the composition of the court, or an individual judge;
4) to receive information regarding the procedures for the examination of the complaint
and protest and the day of availability of the ruling;
5) to withdraw his or her complaint or a complaint of a defence counsel.
(4) An accused has the right, starting from the day specified by a court, to receive a copy of the
ruling of an appellate court and submit a cassation complaint.
[12 March 2009]
Section 73. Rights of an Accused in a Cassation Court
(1) In a cassation court, the rights of an accused are to be held by an accused:
1) who has submitted a cassation complaint;
2) regarding the prosecution of whom a prosecutor or victim has submitted a cassation
protest or complaint;
3) whose interests are directly infringed upon with a cassation complaint in the part
regarding the prosecution of another accused; and
4) if a judge – person directing the proceedings has recognised such rights as necessary.
(2) In a court of cassation, until trial of a case is commenced an accused has the fundamental
rights determined in Section 60.2 of this Law, as well as the right:
1) to receive copies of the cassation complaint or protest that is the grounds for his or
her participation in the cassation court;
2) to receive information regarding the term and procedures for examination of
complaints;
3) to submit objections or explanations regarding the cassation complaint or protest;
4) to invite a defence counsel.
(3) If a case is tried in the oral procedure in a court hearing, an accused has the right to maintain
or withdraw his or her complaint or a complaint of a defence counsel, and to express his or her
view regarding other complaints that have been the grounds for the recognition of the status of
an accused in a cassation court, as well as to submit a recusation.
(4) If a complaint is examined in a written procedure in a cassation court, an accused has the
right:
1) to receive copies of the cassation complaint or protest that is the grounds for his or
her participation in the cassation court;
2) to submit a recusation;
3) to submit written objections regarding the complaints of other persons;
4) to submit a reasoned request for the examination of a complaint in the oral procedure
in a court hearing in his or her presence.
[12 March 2009; 23 May 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 31
Section 74. Duties of an Accused
An accused has the same duties in all stages of criminal proceedings as a suspect.
Section 74.1 Convicted Person
An accused shall acquire the status of a convicted person from the date of the entering
into effect of a judgment of conviction or a prosecutor’s penal order.
[21 October 2010]
Section 74.2 Rights of a Convicted Person
(1) During the execution of a ruling, a convicted person has the right to the protection in the
court of his or her lawful interests related to the transfer of the ruling for execution, that is, the
right:
1) to invite a defence counsel;
2) to participate in court hearings and to testify;
3) to submit materials, which have been prepared in order to examine the matter
regarding the execution of the ruling;
4) to submit complaints regarding decisions of the judge.
(2) Upon examining matters related to the execution of a ruling, the participation of a defence
counsel in the cases determined in this Law is mandatory.
(3) During the execution of a prosecutor’s penal order, a convicted person has the right to the
protection of his or her rights to lawful interests in the Office of the Prosecutor, if they are
related to the execution of the punishment determined in the penal order, but in matters related
to the substitution of the punishment determined in the penal order or release from punishment
in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws – in the court.
[21 October 2010]
Section 74.3 Duties of a Convicted Person
A convicted person has a duty:
1) to arrive for the conduct of the proceedings in a specific time at the place indicated
by an authorised official, if the invitation has been made in accordance with the procedures laid
down in law;
2) not to delay and hinder the process of examining the matters, which have arisen
during the execution of a ruling;
3) to comply with the specified procedures during the performance of procedural
actions;
[21 October 2010]
Section 75. Rights of a Person against whom Proceedings is being Held for Determination
of Compulsory Measures of a Medical Nature
(1) A person who has committed a criminal offence in a state of incapacity, but who may
participate in criminal proceedings, in accordance with the conclusion of a court psychiatric
expert-examination, regarding the determination of a compulsory measure of a medical nature,
has the same rights as an accused, except the right to refuse a defence counsel and the right to
speak in court debates.
(2) The person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section has the right to the payment from
State resources of the assistance of a defence counsel.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 32
(3) If, in accordance with a conclusion of a court psychiatric expert-examination, a person may
not participate in criminal proceedings, all the rights thereof to defence shall be implemented
by a defence counsel and a representative.
[12 March 2009]
Section 76. Rights of a Person against whom Criminal Proceedings have been Terminated
for Reasons Other Than Exoneration
(1) If a person, against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated in connection to
limitation period of criminal liability or act of amnesty, does not admit his or her guilt in the
committing of a criminal offence, such person has the right to submit a complaint regarding the
decision of an investigator or prosecutor on the termination of criminal proceedings in the court
that has jurisdiction over examination of the relevant criminal offence in the first instance.
(2) During the examination of a complaint, the submitter of the complaint has the same rights
as an accused in a court of first instance, except the right to the last word and the right to appeal
a court ruling.
[12 March 2009]
Section 77. Rights of a Person who Pleads Exoneration of a Deceased Person
(1) If criminal proceedings are terminated with a decision of the person directing the
proceedings for reasons other than exoneration, in substance finding a person guilty for the
committing of a criminal offence, and the person dies after such termination, the legal
representatives or the immediate family of such person, or persons at the disposal of whom are
facts that testify to the innocence of such deceased person, may enter into criminal proceedings
in order to exonerate the deceased person.
(2) The persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section have the right to request the
continuation of criminal proceedings, assigning an advocate for the defence of the claim
referred to in the application, and determining the framework of the advocate’s authorisation.
(3) A person who has requested the continuation of proceedings has the same rights as an
accused in pre-trial proceedings and in court, except the right to the last word in court.
(4) In pre-trial proceedings and in court, the advocate who conducts the defence of the requests
referred to in an application has the same rights as a defence counsel in proceedings regarding
the determination of a compulsory measure of a medical nature, when the defendant cannot
participate in proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 78. Rights of a Person against whom Criminal Proceedings have been Terminated
in Connection with Conditions that Exclude Criminal Liability
(1) If criminal proceedings are terminated in connection with the fact that a person has
committed a criminal offence which has the signs of content of a criminal offence provided for
in The Criminal Law without exceeding the limits of necessary self-defence, while conducting
detention, in a state of extreme necessity, or as a result of justified professional risk, or has
fulfilled a criminal command or criminal order, but such person disputes factual circumstances,
such person has a right to submit a complaint regarding the decision of the investigator or the
prosecutor in the court that has jurisdiction over examination of the relevant criminal offence
in the first instance.
(2) During the examination of a complaint, the submitter of the complaint has the same rights
as an accused in a court of first instance, except the right to the last word and the right to appeal
a court ruling.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 33
Section 79. Defence Counsel
(1) A defence counsel shall be an advocate practicing in Latvia who implements the defence in
criminal proceedings, or a specific stage or separate procedural action thereof of a person who
has the right to defence
(2) The following may be a defence counsel in criminal proceedings:
1) a sworn advocate;
2) an assistant of a sworn advocate;
3) a citizen of a European Union Member State who has acquired the classification of
an advocate in one of the Member States of the European Union;
4) a foreign advocate (except the advocate referred to in Paragraph three of this Section)
in accordance with the international agreement regarding legal assistance binding on the
Republic of Latvia.
(3) A defence counsel shall participate in a case from the moment of an agreement, if the
defendant has obtained the right to defence in accordance with the procedures laid down in this
Law. A defence counsel may not refuse the defence that he or she must conduct in accordance
with an agreement without the consent of the defendant.
(4) A defence counsel provided by the State shall participate in a case from the moment of
acceptance of a task until the termination of criminal proceedings, except the cases when he or
she is invited to ensure defence in a separate procedural action. Conduct of defence in a separate
procedural action shall not impose the obligation to undertake defence in the entire criminal
proceedings on an advocate.
(5) The rights of an advocate as a defence counsel to participate in criminal proceedings shall
be attested by an order.
(6) A defence counsel shall not undertake the defence of another person, or provide legal
assistance thereto, if such undertaking or provision is in conflict with the interests of the
defendant with whom an agreement was signed earlier.
(7) A defence counsel shall not enter into an agreement regarding the defence of several persons
in one criminal proceedings if conflicts exist between the defence interests of such persons.
[19 June 2008; 12 March 2009]
Section 80. Retaining a Defence Counsel
(1) An agreement with an advocate regarding defence shall be entered into by the person
himself or herself or other persons in the interests thereof.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall not enter into an agreement regarding defence
and may not retain a particular advocate as a defence counsel, but shall ensure an interested
person with the necessary information and provide such person with the opportunity to use
means of communication for the retention of the defence counsel.
(3) If a person who has the right to defence or another person in his or her interests has not
entered into an agreement on defence, but the participation of a defence counsel is mandatory
or the person wishes for the participation of a defence counsel, the person directing the
proceedings shall notify the senior of the sworn advocates of the territory of the relevant court
process of the necessity to ensure the participation of a defence counsel in criminal proceedings.
(4) The senior of sworn advocates shall, not later than within three working days after receipt
of the request of the person directing the proceedings, notify the person directing the
proceedings regarding the participation of the relevant advocate in criminal proceedings.
[19 June 2008; 27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 34
Section 81. Invitation of a Defence Counsel in a Separate Procedural Action
(1) If an agreement on defence has not been concluded or a defence counsel with whom the
agreement has been concluded may not be present for the performance of procedural action, the
person directing the proceedings shall invite an advocate to ensure defence in the following
separate procedural actions:
1) investigative actions in which the detained person is involved;
2) announcement of the decision on recognition as a suspect, and the first interrogation
of the suspect;
3) examination by an investigating judge of a matter related to the application of a
security measure.
(2) The person directing the proceedings for ensuring defence in a separate procedural action
shall invite an advocate in conformity with the schedule of the advocates on duty compiled by
the senior of the sworn advocates of the territory of the relevant court process.
(3) The person directing the proceedings shall invite a defence counsel in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Paragraph two of this Section, if an investigative action with the
participation of a minor needs to be performed and the defence counsel of the minor with whom
the agreement has been entered into cannot arrive within the nearest four hours.
[19 June 2008; 27 September 2018]
Section 82. Rights and Duties of a Defence Counsel in Ensuring Defence in an Individual
Procedural Action
(1) In ensuring the defence of a detained person, a suspect, or an accused in an individual
procedural action, a defence counsel has the same rights and duties in connection with a specific
procedural action as a defence counsel who participates in the entire proceedings.
(2) A defence counsel may meet with the defendant both before and after a procedural action
in order to prepare for the performance of the operation, and to discuss the results thereof.
(3) A defence counsel has also the right, after completion of an operation and independent of
the defendant, to use the rights specified for a defence counsel in the submission of a complaint
regarding the actions of officials, and in the submission of a request, if such use arises directly
from the performed operation and complies with the co-ordinated defence position of the
defendants.
(4) A defence counsel, using his or her professional knowledge and experience, shall provide a
detained person, suspect, or accused with the legal information and recommendations that are
necessary in order to designate a defence position corresponding to the conditions, and to
implement such position.
Section 83. Mandatory Participation of a Defence Counsel
(1) The participation of a defence counsel is mandatory in criminal proceedings:
1) if a minor or person with diminished mental capacity has the right to defence;
2) regarding the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature;
3) if such proceedings are continued in connection with an application regarding the
exoneration of a deceased person;
4) if the right to defence is held by a person who is not able to completely use his or her
procedural rights due to a mental or other health impairment;
5) if the right to defence is held by an illiterate person or a person with a level of
education so low that such person may not completely use his or her procedural rights.
(2) [30 March 2017].
(3) During a trial the participation of a defence counsel is mandatory, if a case is examined
while the accused is absent (in absentia) or without the participation of the accused, as well as
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 35
if the trial is taking place under the proceedings regarding the application of coercive measures
on a legal person, whereby such proceedings are isolated in separate records, and the
representative of the legal person does not participate in the trial.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 14 March 2013; 23 May 2013; 30 March 2017]
Section 84. Payment for the Assistance of a Defence Counsel
(1) Payment for the assistance of a defence counsel shall be ensured, in accordance with an
agreement, by the person who has invited the defence counsel and signed the agreement.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the amount of payment and reimbursable expenses related to
the provision of the ensured legal assistance, the amount and expenses thereof to an advocate
for the provision of legal assistance, provided by the State, to a person who has not entered into
an agreement regarding defence.
[19 June 2008]
Section 85. Rights to Exemption from Payment for the Assistance of a Defence Counsel
(1) The following have the right to exemption from payment for the assistance of a defence
counsel, which in such case shall be covered from State resources:
1) a person whose financial situation excludes the possibility to ensure payment from
his or her own resources for the assistance of a defence counsel;
2) a person whose representative must mandatory participate in criminal proceedings in
accordance with Section 83, Paragraph one of this Law.
(2) A decision on payment from State resources of the assistance of a defence counsel shall be
taken by an investigating judge in pre-trial proceedings, or by the court in trial.
[30 March 2017]
Section 86. Rights and Duties of a Defence Counsel
(1) A defence counsel has all the rights that are held by his or her defendant in the relevant
proceedings, as well as the right:
1) to request and receive, in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and
regulations, information necessary for the defence of a person;
2) to participate, in accordance with the procedures corresponding to the form and stage
of proceedings, in an interrogation of the defendant, to participate in other investigative actions
regarding the performance of which a person who has the right to defence or the defence counsel
has submitted a request, and to participate in the investigative actions wherein the defendant
would be entitled to participate, but does not do so;
3) to familiarise himself or herself in criminal proceedings, in the cases of mandatory
defence referred to in Section 83, Paragraph one of this Law, with all the materials of the case
from the moment of the submission of the prosecution, and to receive copies of such materials;
4) to familiarise himself or herself, after completion of a pre-trial criminal proceedings,
with the materials of a criminal case, and to copy the necessary materials with technical means;
5) to speak in court debates;
6) to submit an application regarding the renewal of criminal proceedings in connection
with newly disclosed circumstances.
(2) A defence counsel shall not replace a defendant, but shall operate in the interest thereof.
Only a defendant shall be represented by himself or herself in the procedural actions wherein
his or her subjective view is expressed, and, in particular:
1) in the expression of his or her attitude toward the suspicions or prosecution;
2) in the provision of testimony;
21) in the selection of simpler proceedings;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 36
3) in the last word.
(3) A defence counsel has the right to meet with a defendant detained or arrested in conditions
ensuring confidentiality, without restrictions on the number or duration of meeting times, and
without the special permission of the person directing the proceedings, and, if necessary,
inviting an interpreter. Such meeting may take place in the visual control conditions of an
authorised official, but outside of hearing distance.
(31) A defence counsel, who participates in investigative actions, has the right:
1) to pose questions to a person who has the right to defence, witnesses, victims, their
representatives, an expert, a specialist;
2) to familiarise himself or herself with the minutes of investigative actions and make
written notes in such minutes regarding the correctness and completeness of records;
3) to ask that the questions rejected by the person directing the proceedings are
registered in the minutes of investigative actions.
(4) If there is specific information on facts that testify that a defence counsel uses his or her
rights in order to delay a procedural action, or consciously violates his or her rights, an
investigating judge, on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the proceedings, or a court
may restrict the duration of meetings or provide that meetings occur in conditions that exclude
the transferral of written materials or other objects to the defendant. The Latvian Council of
Sworn Advocates shall be notified regarding such decision.
(5) A defence counsel has an obligation to use his or her professional knowledge and
experience, as well as all the means and techniques of defence indicated in the Law, in order to
ascertain what the justifying and mitigating circumstances are for a person who has the right to
defence, and to provide such person with the necessary legal assistance.
(6) In appealing the ruling of a prosecutor on the completion of proceedings, a defence counsel
shall inform the defendant.
(7) A defence counsel is not entitled to disclose information regarding what has been made
known to him or her in connection with the conduct of defence without the consent of the
defendant.
[12 March 2009]
Section 87. Conditions that Prohibit an Advocate from Participating in Criminal
Proceedings
(1) An advocate shall not undertake defence or the provision of legal assistance, and he or she
shall inform the defendant regarding the necessity to revoke an agreement if such agreement
has already been entered into, if:
1) he or she has provided or provides legal assistance in such case to the person whose
interests are in conflict with the interests of the person who requested the provision of legal
assistance in the same case;
2) [12 March 2009];
3) the interests of the defendant are in conflict with the interest of the advocate or of
persons with whom such defendant is in a relation of kinship to the third degree, affinity to the
second degree, or to whom he or she is married or with whom he or she has a common
household;
4) earlier in such proceedings, the advocate was an official who was authorised to
conduct criminal proceedings;
5) the official with whom the advocate has a relation of kinship to the third degree,
affinity to the second degree, or to whom he or she is married or with whom he or she has a
common household conducts or has conducted the specific criminal proceedings;
6) the advocate is a witness or victim in such proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 37
(2) If an advocate continues to operate in a conflict of interest situation, the person involved in
criminal proceedings may express a recusation to the advocate, which shall be decided by the
person directing the proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 88. Refusing of a Defence Counsel
(1) A person who has the right to defence is entitled to refuse a defence counsel. Such refusal
shall be allowed only on the basis of the initiative of the person himself or herself. The refusing
of a defence counsel shall not be an obstacle to the participation, in criminal proceedings, of a
maintainer of State prosecution and the defence counsel of another person.
(2) If a person who has the right to defence refuses a defence counsel, it shall be explained to
him or her that the person himself or herself will implement his or her defence henceforth.
Refusal of a defence counsel shall be recorded in the minutes of the procedural action, and the
person shall certify with his or her signature that the refusing of a defence counsel has taken
place voluntarily and upon initiative of the person himself or herself. If a person who has the
right to defence has expressed a request regarding the participation of a defence counsel, the
refusal of a defence counsel may take place only in the presence of the defence counsel.
(3) The persons referred to in Section 83, Paragraph one of this Law may not refuse the defence
counsel.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 89. Representative and Trusted Person of a Minor
(1) In order to completely ensure the rights and interests of a minor person who has the right to
defence, the representative thereof may participate in criminal proceedings.
(11) When deciding on the recognition of a person as the representative, the person directing
the proceedings shall take into account the ability and willingness of this person to genuinely
protect interests of the minor and shall evaluate his or her suitability for the achievement of the
objective of criminal proceedings. A person against whom criminal proceedings have been
initiated, detained person, suspect or the accused may not be a representative.
(2) The following persons may be representatives:
1) one of the lawful representatives (mother, father, guardian);
2) one of the grandparents, or a brother or sister of legal age, if the minor has lived
together with one of such persons and the relevant member of the immediate family takes care
of the minor;
3) [27 September 2018];
4) [27 September 2018].
(21) If the person referred to in Paragraph two of this Section does not exist, cannot be reached
or refuses to participate, or the person directing the proceedings has not recognised this person
in accordance with Paragraph 1.1 of this Section, another person of legal age which shall be
indicated by the minor may be recognised as the representative.
(22) If the person referred to in Paragraph two of this Section or another person indicated by the
minor is not recognised as the representative, a representative of an authority protecting the
rights of children or such non-governmental organisation which fulfils the function of
protecting the rights of children shall be recognised as the representative.
(3) A representative shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings, or he or she shall
be replaced upon a decision of the person directing the proceedings, which may also be written
in the manner of a resolution.
(4) A representative shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings from the moment
when a minor has acquired the right to defence, and a decision has been taken on participation
of his or her representative.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 38
(5) A decision shall be taken without delay, but not later than within three working days.
(6) A representative shall terminate his or her participation in criminal proceedings when the
person to be represented attains legal age.
(7) With the permission of the person directing the proceedings, a minor has the right to
participate in procedural activities together with the trusted person, unless this person is
involved in criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 90. Rights of the Representative of a Minor Person in the Actualisation of Defence
(1) If a minor person has the right to defence, his or her representative is entitled:
1) to know the procedural status and rights of the person to be represented;
2) to receive copies of the decisions determining the status of the person to be
represented, or a notification of the decisions taken in accordance with urgent procedures that
includes their content, and information regarding his or her rights;
21) to receive written information with an explanation of the rights of the person to be
represented;
3) to submit a recusation to the official who conducts the criminal proceedings;
4) to submit complaints regarding the actions and decisions of officials, to submit
requests in accordance with the same procedures as the person to be represented;
5) after completion of pre-trial criminal proceedings, if a security measure related to
deprivation of liberty is applied to the minor, to receive copies of those materials of the criminal
case to be submitted to the court, which apply to the accusation brought against the person to
be represented and his or her personality, if such materials have not been issued earlier or with
the consent of a prosecutor to become acquainted with these materials;
6) [19 January 2006];
7) to receive information regarding the term and place of the trial of a criminal case in
a court of any instance;
8) to participate in closed court hearings;
9) to familiarise himself or herself with court rulings in accordance with the same
procedures as a defence counsel;
10) to appeal court rulings in accordance with the same procedures and amount as the
person to be represented;
11) to invite a defence counsel for the enforcement of the rights of defence.
(2) A representative may participate with the consent of the person directing the proceedings in
the procedural actions wherein the person to be represented participates.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 91. Representative in Criminal Proceedings regarding the Determination of
Compulsory Measures of a Medical Nature
(1) In order to completely ensure the rights and interests of a person who has committed a
criminal offence in a state of incapacity, the representative thereof may participate in criminal
proceedings.
(2) The following may be a representative:
1) a trustee;
2) a spouse;
3) a mother, father, or guardian;
4) one of the grandparents, persons of legal age – a brother or sister, a son or daughter,
or another member of the immediate family;
5) a representative of such non-governmental organisation that performs the function of
protecting the rights of persons with mental disabilities;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 39
6) a representative of the Orphan’s and Custody Court.
(3) A representative shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings, or he or she shall
be replaced upon a decision of the person directing the proceedings, which may also be written
in the manner of a resolution. In deciding such matter, the person directing the proceedings
shall observe the sequence specified in Paragraph two of this Section and the opportunities and
desire of the specific persons to truly protect the interests of the person in a state of incapacity,
as well as take into account the opinion of the person to be represented insofar as it is possible.
(4) A representative of a person who has committed a criminal offence, and proceedings for the
determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature have been initiated because the
person has fallen ill with mental disturbances after committing of the criminal offence, may
also participate in criminal proceedings.
(5) A representative shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings from the moment
when proceedings are initiated for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical
nature, and a decision has been taken on participation of the representative.
(6) A representative shall terminate his or her participation in criminal proceedings if the
proceedings are continued in accordance with general procedure.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014; 30 March 2017]
Section 92. Rights of a Representative in Proceedings Regarding the Determination of
Compulsory Measures of a Medical Nature
(1) The representative of a person who has committed a criminal offence in a state of incapacity
has the right:
1) to receive information regarding his or her own rights and the rights of the person to
be represented;
2) to submit a recusation to the official who conducts the criminal proceedings;
3) to submit complaints regarding the actions and decisions of officials, to submit
requests in accordance with the same procedures as the person to be represented;
4) after completion of pre-trial criminal proceedings, to receive copies of those materials
of the criminal case to be submitted to the court, which directly apply to a criminal offence
committed by a person to be represented, if such materials have not been issued earlier or with
the consent of a prosecutor to become acquainted with these materials of the criminal case;
5) [19 January 2006];
6) to receive information regarding the term and place of examination of a criminal case
in a court of any instance;
7) to participate in closed court hearings;
8) to familiarise himself or herself with court rulings, and to appeal such rulings in
accordance with the same procedures as a defence counsel;
(2) The rights referred to in Paragraph one of this Section are also to be held by the
representative of a person who has fallen ill with mental disturbances after committing of a
criminal offence.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 93. Representative of a Legal Person in Proceedings regarding the Application of
a Coercive Measure
(1) In order to ensure the rights and interests of a legal person in proceedings regarding the
application of a coercive measure to the legal person in connection with a criminal offence of
a natural person committed in the interests of such legal person, a representative of the legal
person may participate in criminal proceedings.
(2) The following may be a representative of a legal person:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 40
1) a natural person in accordance with the authorisations that have been specified in
documents governing the activities of the legal person;
2) a natural person, on the grounds of a power of attorney issued specially for such
purpose.
(3) The representative of a legal person may not be a person who is a victim in the specific
criminal proceedings, or the personal interests of whom or of the immediate family of whom
are in conflict with the interests of the legal person to be represented.
(4) A representative shall be permitted to participate in proceedings, or he or she shall be
replaced upon a decision of the person directing the proceedings, which may also be written in
the manner of a resolution.
(5) Failure of the representative to participate in the proceedings shall not be an obstacle for the
continuation with the proceedings.
(6) If a person has been a witness earlier in the same proceedings, the person directing the
proceedings shall assess the possibility of this person to be a representative.
[12 March 2009; 14 March 2013]
Section 94. Rights of a Legal Person in Proceedings Regarding the Application of a
Coercive Measure
(1) The rights of a legal person shall be exercised by the representative thereof. From the time
when a person is permitted to participate in the proceedings regarding the application of a
coercive measure as the representative of a legal person according to the decision of the person
directing the proceedings, such person has the right:
1) to receive a copy of such decision by which the proceedings regarding the application
of a coercive measure have been initiated;
2) to invite a defence counsel at the expense of the legal person for full enforcement of
rights;
3) [20 June 2018];
4) to submit a recusation to the official who conducts the criminal proceedings;
5) to file applications regarding the performance of investigative actions and
participation therein;
6) to participate in the investigative actions that are performed subject to the application
by the person or the defence counsel, unless such participation interferes with the performance
of the investigative actions or infringes the rights of another person;
7) to receive a reasoned decision if the representative of the legal person is refused the
participation in the investigative actions performed subject to his or his request of the request
of the defence counsel;
8) to become familiar with the opinion of the expert-examination after receipt thereof,
if the expert-examination has been performed subject to the application of the person;
9) to file complaints in the cases, within the terms and in accordance with the procedures
laid down in the law regarding action of an official authorised for the conduct of proceedings;
10) to appeal the procedural decisions in the cases, within the terms and in accordance
with the procedures laid down in the law;
11) to express his or her attitude with regard to an expressed assumption orally or in
writing;
12) to testify or refuse to testify;
13) to require that measures for regulation of criminal legal relations are taken with the
consent of the person;
14) to reach a settlement with the victim;
15) to file an application for termination of the proceedings;
16) to express a wish to co-operate with the officials who conduct the proceedings;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 41
17) to receive copies of the materials of the criminal case to be handed over to the court
after completion of pre-trial proceedings, which refer to the particular legal person, upon an
application thereof, unless such copies have been issued earlier; or to become familiar with such
materials subject to the consent by the prosecutor;
18) to withdraw the complaints of the defence counsel;
19) to agree or disagree to the termination of the proceedings by applying the
prosecutor’s penal order regarding a coercive measure.
(2) In the court, the representative of a legal person has the same rights as an accused.
[14 March 2013; 20 June 2018]
Section 94.1 Duties of the Representative of a Legal Person in Proceedings Regarding the
Application of a Coercive Measure
From the time when a person is permitted to participate in the proceedings regarding the
application of a coercive measure as the representative of a legal person according to the
decision of the person directing the proceedings, such person has a duty:
1) to arrive at the specified time at the place indicated by an official authorised to
conduct the proceedings, if the invitation was made in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law;
2) not to delay or interfere with the progress of the proceedings;
3) to conform to the specified procedures during the performance of procedural actions.
[14 March 2013]
Chapter 6 Victims and the Representation thereof
Section 95. Persons who may be Victims
(1) A victim in criminal proceedings may be a natural person or legal person to whom harm
was caused by a criminal offence, that is, a moral injury, physical suffering, or a material loss.
(2) A victim in criminal proceedings may not be a person to whom moral injury was caused as
a representative of a specific group or part of society.
(3) If a person dies, one of the members of the immediate family of the deceased may be the
victim in criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 96. Recognition as a Victim
(1) A person shall be recognised as a victim by the person directing the proceedings, with his
or her decision which may also be written in the form of a resolution.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall inform a person in a timely manner regarding the
rights thereof to be recognised as a victim in criminal proceedings.
(3) A person may be recognised as a victim only with the consent of such person or his or her
representative. A person who does not want to be a victim shall obtain the status of a witness.
If a person, due to physical or mental deficiencies, is not able to express his or her will to be a
victim by himself or herself, the person shall be recognised as a victim without his or her
consent.
(4) A court may recognise a person as a victim during the trial of a criminal case up to the
commencement of a court investigation in a court of first instance, if such request is submitted
to a court. A decision of the court shall be entered in the minutes and it shall not be subject to
appeal.
(5) If a victim has died after commencement of a court investigation in a court of first instance
or during examination of a case in an appellate court, and a request of a person referred to in
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 42
Section 95, Paragraph three of this Law has been applied to a court, the court may recognise
such person as a victim. A decision of a court shall be recorded in the minutes and it shall not
be subject to appeal. In such case the trial shall not be commenced de novo, but a victim upon
his or her application has the right to familiarise himself or herself with the materials of a
criminal case and the minutes of a court hearing.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 18 February 2016]
Section 96.1 Specially Protected Victim
(1) The following victims shall be specially protected:
1) a minor;
2) a person who is not able to completely exercise his or her procedural rights due to a
mental or other health deficiencies;
3) a person who has suffered from a criminal offence directed against the morality or
sexual inviolability of a person, or from human trafficking;
4) a person who has suffered from a criminal offence related to violence or threat of
violence and committed by a member of the immediate family, former spouse of the victim or
by a person with whom the victim has been in a continuous intimate relationship;
5) a person who as a result of a criminal offence has been, possibly, inflicted serious
bodily injuries or mental impairments;
6) a person who has suffered from a criminal offence, possibly, committed due to racial,
national, ethnic, or religious reasons.
(2) By a decision of the person directing the proceedings also a victim who is not referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section, but who, due to the harm inflicted as a result of a criminal
offence, is particularly vulnerable and is not protected from repeated threat, intimidation, or
revenge, shall be recognised as a specially protected victim.
(3) Information regarding the status of a specially protected victim shall be indicated in the
decision to recognise a person as a victim. The decision taken shall be notified to the victim and
his or her representative, if any. The court shall recognise a victim as specially protected in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 96, Paragraph four of this Law.
(4) If the circumstances referred to in Paragraph one or two of this Section have become known
after a decision has been taken to recognise a person as a victim, the person directing the
proceedings may take a decision to determine the status of a specially protected victim as soon
as he or she has become aware of such circumstances. The decision taken shall be notified to
the victim and his or her representative, if any.
(5) A specially protected victim may participate in procedural activities, with a permission of
the person directing the proceedings, together with the trusted person, unless it is a person
against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated, a detained, a suspect, or an accused.
(6) A specially protected victim may request and receive information regarding release or
escape of such arrested or convicted person from a place of imprisonment or a place of
temporary detention who has inflicted harm to him or her, if there is a threat to the victim and
there is not risk of harm to the arrested or convicted person. Such request may be notified until
making of a final ruling in criminal proceedings.
[18 February 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 97. General Principles of the Rights of a Victim
(1) A victim, by taking into account the amount of moral damages, physical suffering, and
financial loss caused to him or her, shall submit the amounts of such harm, and use his or her
procedural rights for acquiring moral and financial compensation.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 43
(2) A victim may enforce all of the rights referred to in Sections 98, 99, 100, and 101 of this
Law only in the part of criminal proceedings that directly applies to the criminal offence with
which harm was caused to him or her.
(3) [18 February 2016]
(31) [18 February 2016]
(4) A victim – natural person may implement the rights thereof himself or herself, or with the
intermediation of a representative.
(5) The rights of a victim – legal person shall be implemented by the representative thereof.
(6) [18 February 2016]
(7) A victim shall implement his or her rights voluntarily and in an amount designated by him
or her. The non-utilisation of rights shall not delay the progress of proceedings.
(8) [18 February 2016]
(9) An image of a victim recorded as a photograph, video, or by other types of technical means
shall not be published in the mass media during procedural actions without the consent of such
victim if such publication is not necessary for the disclosure of a criminal offence.
(10) Until ascertaining the age of a victim regarding whose legal age there are doubts, the victim
shall have the rights of a minor victim.
(11) The representative of the victim or provider of legal aid ensured by the State shall
participate in the case from the moment of accepting the task until the termination of criminal
proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 29 January 2015; 18 February 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 97.1 Fundamental Rights of a Victim in Criminal Proceedings
(1) A victim has the following rights:
1) to receive information regarding the conditions for applying for and receipt of a
compensation, including State compensation and to submit an application regarding
compensation for the harm inflicted in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law;
2) to participate in criminal proceedings, using the language in which he or she is fluent,
if necessary, using the assistance of an interpreter without remuneration;
3) to not testify against himself or herself or against his or her immediate family;
4) to settle with a person who has inflicted harm to him or her, as well as to receive
information regarding implementation of the settlement and its consequences;
5) to invite an advocate for the receipt of legal assistance;
6) to submit an application for taking measures in case of a threat to the person himself
or herself, his or her immediate family or property;
7) in the cases provided for in this Law to submit an application regarding
reimbursement of procedural expenses which have arisen during criminal proceedings;
8) to submit a complaint in the cases, within the terms and in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this law regarding a procedural ruling or an action of an official
authorised for the conduct of criminal proceedings;
9) to receive contact information for communication regarding the particular criminal
proceedings;
10) to receive information regarding the support and medical assistance available;
11) to request information regarding the direction of the criminal proceedings, regarding
the officials who conduct or have conducted criminal proceedings.
(2) A victim, his or her guardian or trustee has the right, in all stages of criminal proceedings
and in all forms thereof, to request that a European protection order is issued, if the grounds for
taking a European protection order laid down in this Law exist.
(3) As soon as the person is recognised a victim, he or she shall, without delay, be issued and,
if necessary, explained the information regarding the fundamental rights of the victim. The
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 44
victim shall confirm with his or her signature that the information has been issued and, if
necessary, the rights have been explained.
[18 February 2016; 30 March 2017; 20 June 2018]
Section 98. Rights of a Victim in Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) A detained person has the fundamental rights laid down in Section 97.1 of this Law in pre-
trial criminal proceedings, as well as the right:
1) to submit a recusation to the official who conducts the criminal proceedings;
2) [12 March 2009];
3) to submit applications for the performance of investigative and other operations;
4) to familiarise himself or herself with a decision to determine an expert-examination
before the transferral thereof for execution, and to submit an application regarding the
amendment thereof, if the expert-examination is conducted on the basis of his or her own
application;
5) [19 January 2006];
6) [18 February 2016];
7) [18 February 2016];
8) after completion of pre-trail criminal proceedings, to receive copies of the materials
of the criminal case to be transferred to a court that directly apply to the criminal offence with
which harm has been caused to him or her, if such materials have not been issued earlier, or
with the consent of a prosecutor to become acquainted with these materials of a criminal case;
9) [19 January 2006];
10) to submit a request to the investigating judge that he or she be acquainted with the
materials of special investigative actions that are not attached to the criminal case (primary
documents);
11) to receive a written translation in the cases provided for in the law.
(11) A victim in criminal proceedings regarding a criminal offence related to violence or
directed against gender inviolability or morality has the right to request the person directing the
proceedings to inform him or her regarding the progress of the criminal proceedings in the part
regarding such criminal offence, by which he or she was caused harm.
(2) In questioning and interrogation, a victim also has all the rights and duties of a witness.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 29 May 2014; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018]
Section 99. Rights of a Victim in a Court of First Instance
(1) A victim in a court of first instance has the fundamental rights laid down in Section 97.1 of
this Law, as well as the right:
1) to find out the place and time of the trial in a timely manner;
2) to submit a recusation to the composition of the court, an individual judge, a
maintainer of state prosecution, and an expert;
3) to participate himself or herself in examination of a criminal case;
4) to express his or her view regarding every matter to be discussed;
5) to participate in an examination performed directly and orally of each piece of
evidence to be examined in court;
6) to submit applications;
7) to speak in court debates;
8) to familiarise himself or herself with a court ruling and the minutes of a court hearing;
9) [18 February 2016].
(2) In addition to the rights laid down in Paragraph one of this Section a specially protected
victim may request that his or her participation and hearing in a court hearing takes place using
technical means.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 45
[19 January 2006; 18 February 2016]
Section 100. Rights of a Victim in an Appellate Court
(1) If a ruling of a court of first instance is appealed in the part regarding a criminal offence
with which harm was caused to a victim, the person directing the proceedings shall send copies
of received appellate complaints to the victim, and an appellate court shall notify of the time,
place, and procedures for the examination of complaints.
(2) In a court hearing, a victim has the same rights as in a court of first instance, as well as the
right to maintain and justify his or her complaint, or withdraw such complaint.
(21) If a decision has been taken to examine the case in a written procedure, a victim has the
right to submit a recusation to the composition of the court, or an individual judge, as well as
submit objections against trial of the case in a written procedure.
(3) A victim has the right to receive a ruling of an appellate court on the day specified by the
court, and to submit a cassation complaint.
[12 March 2009]
Section 101. Rights of a Victim in a Cassation Court
(1) If a ruling of an appellate court is appealed in the part regarding a criminal offence with
which harm was caused to a victim, the person directing the proceedings shall send copies of
received cassation complaints to the victim, and a cassation court shall notify of the time, place,
and procedures for the examination of complaints.
(2) If a complaint is examined in a written procedure in a cassation court, a victim has the right:
1) to submit a recusation to the composition of the court, or an individual judge;
2) to submit written objections regarding the complaints of other persons;
3) to submit a reasoned request for the examination of a complaint in the oral procedure
in an open court hearing in his or her presence.
(3) In examining a case in a court hearing in proceedings taking place orally, a victim has the
right to submit recusations, maintain or withdraw his or her complaint, and to express a view
regarding other complaints that have been the grounds for his or her participation in a cassation
court.
Section 102. Victim in a Private Prosecution Case
[21 October 2010]
Section 103. Duties of a Victim
(1) A victim has the obligation to arrive at the time and place indicated by an official authorised
to conduct criminal proceedings, and to participate in an investigative action.
(2) A victim does not have a duty to use his or her procedural rights, and he or she may not be
asked to be subjected to conveyance by force, if such victim is not asked in connection with the
necessity to participate in an investigative action.
(3) Upon a request of the person directing the proceedings, a victim has an obligation to
immediately notify in writing the postal or electronic address for the receipt of his or her
consignments. By this notification a victim undertakes to receive consignments within 24 hours
sent by officials conducting criminal proceedings and to arrive without delay on the basis of a
summon of the person directing the proceedings or perform other referred to criminal-
procedural obligations.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 46
Section 104. Persons who may be the Representative of a Victim – Natural Person
(1) A victim – natural person of legal age may be represented by any natural person of legal
age who is not subject to trusteeship, on the grounds of the authorisation of the victim, which
is drawn up as a notarially certified power of attorney. If the victim has expressed the
authorisation orally, the person directing the proceedings shall draw it up in writing. Such power
of attorney shall be signed by the victim and the representative, and the person directing the
proceedings shall certify the signatures of the parties. An oral authorisation expressed during a
court hearing shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing. An order shall certify the
right of an advocate to participate in the criminal proceedings as a representative.
(2) If harm has been caused to a minor person, the victim shall be represented by:
1) a mother, father, or guardian;
2) one of the grandparents, a brother or sister of legal age, if the minor has lived together
with one of such persons and the relevant member of the immediate family takes care of the
minor;
3) a representative of an authority protecting the rights of children;
4) a representative of such non-governmental organisation that performs the function of
protecting the rights of children.
(21) If harm has been caused to a minor who stays in the Republic of Latvia without the presence
of the persons referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, the victim may be represented by
such person of legal age who during the time of stay in the Republic of Latvia is responsible
for the minor.
(3) If harm has been inflicted to a person who is subject to trusteeship due to mental or other
health impairment, the victim shall be represented by his or her trustee, any of the persons
referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, or a representative of such non-governmental
organisation who carries out protection of the interests and rights of persons with mental
impairments.
(31) If harm has been inflicted to a person who due to physical or mental impairments has been
recognised a victim without his or her consent, the victim shall be represented by any of his or
her relatives.
(4) In the cases referred to in Paragraphs two, 2.1, three, and 3.1 of this Section, all the rights of
a victim belong completely to his or her representative, and the victim may not independently
implement such rights, except the rights of a minor to provide testimony and express his or her
view.
(5) If the rights of a minor and the protection of the interests thereof are encumbered or
otherwise not ensured, or the representatives referred to in Paragraph two of this Section submit
a reasoned request, the person directing the proceedings shall take a decision on retaining of an
advocate as the representative of a minor victim. In exceptional cases, the person directing the
proceedings shall take a decision on retaining of the representative – advocate of a victim – a
person in need or low-income person of legal age, if it is otherwise not possible to ensure the
protection of the rights and interests of the person in criminal proceedings. The person directing
the proceedings shall invite an advocate also in cases when any member of the immediate
family is not able to represent the victim referred to in Paragraph 3.1 of this Section. In such
cases, the Cabinet shall determine the amount of payment for the provision of legal assistance
ensured by the State and reimbursable expenses related to the provision of legal assistance
ensured by the State, the amount thereof and procedures for payment.
(6) In the cases provided for in Paragraph five of this Section, the person directing the
proceedings shall notify the decision on necessity to ensure a representative in criminal
proceedings to the senior of the sworn advocates of the territory of the relevant court process.
Not later than within three working days after receipt of the request of the person directing the
proceedings, the senior of the sworn advocates shall notify the person directing the proceedings
regarding the participation of the relevant advocate in criminal proceedings. The person
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 47
directing the procedures, which are to be carried out immediately and in which the victim has
been involved, if necessary, shall retain an advocate for ensuring representation in conformity
with the schedule of the advocates on duty compiled by the senior of the sworn advocates in
the territory of the relevant court process.
(7) [21 October 2010]
(8) A representative of a minor person or a victim who is subject to trusteeship due to mental
or other health impairment shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings with a
decision by the person directing the proceedings, which may also be written in the manner of a
resolution.
(9) In deciding a matter regarding permission for a person to participate in criminal proceedings
as a representative of a minor victim or a victim who is subject to trusteeship due to mental or
other health impairment, the person directing the proceedings shall observe the sequence
specified in Paragraph two of this Section, and the possibilities and desire of the specific persons
to truly protect the interests of the victim.
[19 June 2008; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 23 May 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 105. Representation of a Victim – Legal Person in Criminal Proceedings
(1) A legal person that has been recognised as a victim may be represented by natural persons:
1) in accordance with the authorisations specified in the Law;
2) in accordance with the authorisations that have been specified in documents
governing the activities of the legal person;
3) on the grounds of a power of attorney issued specially for such purpose.
(2) A representative shall be permitted to participate in criminal proceedings, after submission
and examination of his or her power of attorney, upon a decision of the person directing the
proceedings, which may also be written in the manner of a resolution.
Section 106. Persons who may not be the Representative of a Victim
(1) An official who conducts or has conducted the specific criminal proceedings may not be the
representative of a victim.
(2) A person who is directly or indirectly interested in the deciding of a case in favour of a
person who has caused harm may not be the representative of the victim.
[20 June 2018]
Section 107. Rights of the Representative of a Victim
(1) If a victim implements his or her interests with the intermediation of a representative, the
representative has all the rights of the victim.
(2) The representative of a minor victim who has reached the age of fifteen years may
implement his or her rights together with the person to be represented.
Section 108. Provision of Legal Assistance to a Victim
(1) A victim or the representative thereof may retain an advocate for the provision of legal
assistance in order to fully enforce rights of such victim.
(2) An advocate who participates as the representative of a victim does not have the rights
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) A provider of legal assistance has the right to participate in all procedural actions that take
place with the participation of a victim, and to completely or partially use the rights of the victim
upon request of such victim.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 48
(4) The rights of an advocate to participate in the criminal proceedings as a provider of legal
assistance shall be attested by an order.
(5) Provision of legal assistance to a minor victim and the representative of a minor victim is
mandatory in criminal proceedings regarding a criminal offence related to violence committed
by a person, upon whom the minor victim is financially or otherwise dependent, or regarding a
criminal offence against morals or sexual inviolability.
(6) If a minor victim or his or her representative has not entered into an agreement with an
advocate regarding provision of legal assistance, in the case provided for in Paragraph five of
this Section the person directing the proceedings shall take a decision to invite an advocate as
the provider of legal assistance in accordance with the procedures provided for in Section 104,
Paragraph six of this Law. In such case payment to the advocate for the provision of State
ensured legal assistance and the reimbursable expenses related to the provision thereof shall be
covered in accordance with Cabinet regulations governing payment for the provision of State
ensured legal assistance.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 29 May 2014]
Chapter 7 Other Persons Involved in Criminal Proceedings
Section 109. Witnesses
(1) A witness is a person who has been invited, in accordance with the procedures laid down in
law, to provide information (testify) regarding the circumstances to be proven in criminal
proceedings and the facts and auxiliary facts related to such circumstances.
(2) In pre-trial criminal proceedings, a witness shall provide information in an inquiry or
interrogation. During trial, a victim shall provide information only in an interrogation.
(3) The person directing the proceedings may also invite as a witness an official who is or was
authorised to conduct proceedings in pre-trial proceedings, except for an investigating judge or
prosecutor, if such person maintains State prosecution in the specific criminal proceedings.
Section 110. Rights of a Witness
(1) A witness has the right to know in what criminal proceedings he or she has been invited to
testify, to which official he or she has provided information, and the procedural status of such
official.
(2) Before an inquiry and interrogation, a witness has the right to receive information from an
executor of a procedural action regarding his or her rights, duties, and liability, the mode of the
recording of information, as well as regarding the right to provide testimony in a language that
he or she knows well, using the services of an interpreter, if necessary.
(3) A witness has the right:
1) to make notes and additions in testimonies recorded in writing, or to request the
opportunity to write testimonies by hand in a language that he or she commands;
2) to not testify against himself or herself or against his or her immediate family;
3) to submit a complaint regarding the progress of an inquiry or interrogation during
pre-trial criminal proceedings;
4) to submit a complaint to an investigating judge regarding the unjustified disclosure
of a private secret, or to request that the court withdraws a matter regarding a private secret,
and to request that the request is entered in the minutes of the court hearing if such request is
rejected;
5) to retain an advocate for the receipt of legal assistance.
(31) In all stages of criminal proceedings and in all types thereof a witness may request that a
European protection order is taken, if the grounds for taking a European protection order laid
down in this Law exist.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 49
(4) An image of a witness recorded as a photograph, video, or by other types of technical means
shall not be published in the mass media during procedural actions without the consent of such
witness if such publication is not necessary for the disclosure of a criminal offence.
[12 March 2009; 29 January 2015]
Section 111. Duties of Witnesses
(1) In answering posed questions, a victim shall provide only true information, and shall testify
regarding everything that is known to him or her in connection with a specific criminal offence.
The right to not testify is held only by the persons to whom such procedural immunity has been
granted by the Constitution, this Law, and international treaties binding to Latvia.
(2) A witness has an obligation, upon a request of the person directing the proceedings, to notify
his or her postal or electronic mail address for receipt of consignments in writing, as well as to
arrive at the time and place indicated by the official conducting criminal proceedings, and to
participate in an investigative action, if the procedures for invitation have been complied with.
(3) A witness shall not disclose the content of an inquiry or interrogation, if he or she has been
specially warned regarding the non-disclosure of such content.
[24 May 2012]
Section 111.1 Rights and Duties of the Owner of Property Infringed during Criminal
Proceedings
(1) If the rights to take action with a property of owner or legal possessor have been limited or
deprived as a result of procedural activities and if such person does not have the right to defence
provided for in this Law, the owner or legal possessor of such property shall have the following
rights in the pre-trial criminal proceedings personally or through the intermediation of a
representative:
1) to express his or her attitude orally or in writing towards decisions taken in respect of
the property;
2) to submit applications or complaints regarding conduct or decisions of officials in
respect of the property;
3) to invite an advocate for the receipt of legal assistance.
(2) In addition to the rights laid down in Paragraph one of this Section the owner of property
infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized shall have the following
rights in a court of first instance:
1) to find out the place and time of the trial in a timely manner;
2) to submit a recusation to the composition of the court, an individual judge, a
maintainer of state prosecution, and an expert;
3) to participate himself or herself in examination of a criminal case;
4) to express his or her views regarding origin of the property;
5) to participate in an verification performed directly and orally of each piece of
evidence to be verified in court;
6) to submit applications in relation to the property;
7) to speak in court debates in relation to the property;
8) to familiarise himself or herself with a court ruling and the minutes of a court hearing;
9) to appeal a court ruling regarding a property in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law.
(3) If a ruling of a court of first instance is appealed in the part which affects the rights of the
owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized to act
with the property, the court that made the ruling shall send him or her copies of received
appellate complaints or protests, but an appellate court shall notify of the time, place, and
procedures for the examination of complaints or protests. In an appellate court, the owner of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 50
property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized has the same
rights as in a court of first instance, as well as the right to maintain and justify his or her
complaint, or withdraw such complaint.
(4) If a ruling of an appellate court is appealed in the part which affects the rights of the owner
of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized to act with
the property, an appellate court shall send him or her copies of received cassation complaints
or protests, but a cassation court shall notify regarding the time, place, and procedures for
examination of complaints or protests. In a cassation court, the owner of property infringed
during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized has the same rights as in an
appellate court, as well as the right to submit written objections or views regarding the
complaints of other persons, insofar it applies to his or her property.
(5) The owner of a property infringed during criminal proceedings has the obligation to, upon
a request of the person directing the proceedings, notify his or her postal or electronic mail
address for the receipt of consignments in writing, as well as to inform regarding the change
thereof. By this notification the owner of a property infringed during criminal proceedings
pledges to receive the consignments sent by the official conducting criminal proceedings within
24 hours and to arrive without delay upon a summons of the person directing the proceedings
or to fulfil other referred to criminal-procedural obligation.
[22 June 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 112. Advocate in Criminal Proceedings
(1) Each person in criminal proceedings has the right to retain an advocate for the receipt of
legal assistance. The work remuneration of an advocate shall be ensured by the person himself
or herself, except the cases referred to in this Law.
(2) An advocate who provides legal assistance to a person in criminal proceedings has the right
to receive information from the person directing the proceedings regarding the essence of the
criminal case, as well as to participate together with the person in the investigative actions that
take place with the participation of such person, to provide such person with legal assistance
and explanations, to submit requests, and to submit evidence.
Section 113. Specialist
(1) A specialist is a person who provides assistance to an official conducting criminal
proceedings, on the basis of the invitation of such official, using his or her special knowledge
or work skills in a specific field.
(2) An official who has invited a specialist shall inform such specialist regarding the procedural
action in which he or she has been invited to provide assistance, regarding his or her rights and
duties, as well as regarding liability for knowingly providing false information.
(3) A specialist has a duty:
1) to arrive at the time and place indicated by an official conducting criminal
proceedings, and to participate in an investigative action, if the procedures for invitation have
been complied with.
2) to provide assistance, using his or her knowledge and skills, but without conducting
practical studies, in the performance of an investigative action, the disclosure of traces of a
criminal offence, the understanding of facts and circumstances, as well as in the recording of
the progress and results of the investigative action;
3) to direct the attention of the performers of an investigative action to the circumstances
that are significant in the disclosure and understanding of circumstances;
4) to not disclose the content and results of an investigative action, if he or she has been
specially warned regarding the non-disclosure of such content and results.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 51
(4) A specialist has the right to make notes, in connection with the activities that he or she has
performed or the explanations that he or she has provided, in the document wherein an
investigative action is recorded.
Section 114. Persons – Assistants of the Person Directing the Proceedings
(1) The assistant of a judge, the assistant of a prosecutor, the secretary of a court hearing, or an
employee of the secretariat staff of the relevant institution may perform, under the assignment
of the person directing the proceedings, the procedural actions that are not investigative actions
and are not related to the taking of a decision, but rather with the execution thereof.
(2) The interpreters of investigating institutions, the office of a prosecutor, a court, and prisons
shall ensure the rights of a person to use the language that such person commands. The person
directing the proceedings may assign to fulfil the duty of an interpreter to another person who
commands the relevant language.
(3) The official who invites an interpreter shall inform him or her regarding the rights and duties
of an interpreter, as well as the liability regarding false translation or a refusal to translate. An
interpreter for whom translation is a professional duty, and who, in commencing the execution
of the duties thereof, has certified his or her liability with a signature, shall not need to be
informed regarding rights and duties.
Section 115. Conditions that Restrict the Participation of a Person in Criminal
Proceedings
(1) A specialist, the secretary of a court hearing, and an interpreter shall inform the person
directing the proceedings of the conditions that may provide grounds for doubting the
objectivity of a procedural action performed by such persons. The person directing the
proceedings shall decide on the invitation of such persons to participate in criminal proceedings,
or the dismissal thereof from criminal proceedings.
(2) Grounds for the dismissal of an interpreter or a specialist may also be insufficient
professional preparedness for the fulfilment of the duties thereof.
Chapter 8 Immunity from Criminal Proceedings
Section 116. Grounds for Immunity from Criminal Proceedings
(1) The grounds for immunity from criminal proceedings are the special legal status of a person,
information or a place specified in the Constitution, this Law, other laws and international
treaties, which guarantees the rights for a person to completely or partially not fulfil a criminal
procedural duty, or that restricts the rights to perform specific investigative actions.
(2) The immunity from criminal proceedings of a person arises from the following:
1) the criminal legal immunity of such person that is specified in the Constitution or in
international treaties;
2) the office or profession of such person;
3) the status of such person in the particular criminal proceedings;
4) the kinship of such person.
(3) A person has the right to immunity from criminal proceedings, if the information requested
from such person is:
1) State secret protected by the law;
2) professional secret protected by the law;
3) commercial secret protected by the law;
4) confidentiality of the private life protected by the law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 52
(4) The special legal status of a place specified in international treaties shall restrict the rights
of an official to enter such place and to perform investigative actions therein.
Section 117. Types of Immunity from Criminal Proceedings
(1) Immunity from criminal proceedings shall provide a person with advantages of various
levels in the execution of a criminal procedural duty, in particular:
1) completely discharges a person from the duty to participate in criminal proceedings;
2) determines special procedures for holding a person criminally liable;
3) prohibits or restrict the application of compulsory measures to a person, or determines
special procedures in relation to such person;
4) prohibits or restricts the control of the means of communication and correspondence
of such person;
5) discharges a person from the provision of testimony completely or in a part thereof;
6) determines special procedures for the withdrawal of documents.
(2) The special legal status of premises shall:
1) completely exclude the entry into, and the performance of investigative actions in,
such premises;
2) determine the special procedures in accordance with which a permit is being received
for entry into, and the performance of investigative actions in, such premises;
3) restrict the objects to be viewed in and withdrawn from such premises.
Section 118. Diplomatic Immunity
(1) Diplomatic immunity shall discharge foreign diplomats, persons equivalent thereto, and the
family members thereof from criminal liability in accordance with The Criminal Law, and from
all criminal procedural duties.
(2) A diplomatic courier shall not be detained or arrested.
(3) The rights of a person to diplomatic immunity shall be certified by a certificate submitted
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wherein, in accordance with international treaties entered
into by the Republic of Latvia, the privileges and immunity of the relevant person are indicated.
(4) The status of a person whose diplomatic immunity is certified with a diplomatic passport
submitted by a foreign country, or another personal identification document, shall be
ascertained with the intermediation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(5) The premises of a diplomatic representation office, the residence of the head of a
representation office, and the archives, documents, and official correspondence of a diplomatic
representation office shall be inviolable regardless of the location thereof.
(6) A person who enjoys diplomatic immunity may be held criminally liable, and criminal
procedural duties shall be imposed upon such person, only with the written consent of the state
of dispatch.
(7) The Prosecutor General shall submit a request to permit the holding of a foreign diplomat
criminally liable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further deciding by means of diplomacy.
Section 119. Consular Immunity
(1) Foreign consular official provided for in international treaties shall have consular immunity.
(2) A consular courier shall not be detained or arrested.
(3) The rights of a person to consular immunity shall be certified by a certificate submitted by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wherein, in accordance with international treaties entered into
by the Republic of Latvia, the privileges and immunity of the relevant person are indicated.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 53
(4) It shall be forbidden to enter the part of consular premises that is used only for the work
needs of the consular institution without the consent of the head of the consular institution or
the diplomatic representation office of the state of dispatch.
(5) The archives, documents, and official correspondence of a consular representation office
shall be inviolable regardless of the location thereof.
(6) A state of dispatch may refuse any immunity from criminal proceedings. Such refusal shall
be expressed in writing.
Section 120. Immunity from Criminal Proceedings of State Officials Guaranteed by Law
(1) The State President and a member of the Saeima shall have the immunity from criminal
proceedings specified in the Constitution.
(2) Only the Prosecutor General shall initiate criminal proceedings against a judge or
ombudsman. A judge or ombudsman may be held criminally liable or arrested only with the
consent of the Saeima. A decision on placing under arrest of a judge or an ombudsman,
conveyance by force, detention, or subjection to a search shall be taken by a specially authorised
Supreme Court judge. If a judge or ombudsman has been apprehended in the committing of a
serious or especially serious crime, a decision on conveyance by force, detention, or subjection
to a search shall not be necessary, but the specially authorised Supreme Court judge and the
Prosecutor General shall be informed within 24 hours.
(3) [16 June 2009]
(4) A prosecutor may be detained, conveyed by force, subject to a search, arrested, or held
criminally liable in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law, notifying the
Prosecutor General regarding such actions without delay.
(5) An official of a State security institution, the Internal Security Bureau, and the Corruption
Prevention and Combating Bureau may be detained, conveyed by force, subjected to a search,
or a search or inspection may be conducted of the residential or service premises thereof, or of
the personal or service vehicle thereof, and he or she may be held criminally liable, only with
the consent of the Prosecutor General. If an official has been apprehended in the committing of
a criminal offence, such consent shall not be necessary, but the Prosecutor General and the head
of the relevant state security institution or office shall be informed within 24 hours.
(6) In order to hold a person who has immunity from criminal proceedings criminally liable, a
prosecutor shall submit a proposal to the competent authority for the receipt of consent.
(7) A proposal shall indicate the circumstances of the committing of a criminal offence, insofar
as such circumstances have been ascertained in criminal proceedings.
[19 January 2006; 22 November 2007; 12 March 2009; 16 June 2009; 8 July 2015]
Section 121. Professional Secrets Protected by Criminal Proceedings
(1) The rights to not testify shall not be restricted, and personal notes shall not be withdrawn,
for the following persons:
1) a clergyman, regarding information that has been discovered in a confession;
2) a defence counsel and an advocate who has provided legal assistance in any form,
regarding information the confidentiality of which has been entrusted to him or her by a
defendant;
3) an interpreter who has been invited by the person directing the proceedings or a
person who has the right to defence, or an advocate for ensuring the right to defence, if they
have notified the person directing the proceedings thereof in writing, indicating the following
necessary information regarding the interpreter: the given name, surname, personal identity
number, the place of practice or the declared place of residence.
(2) The following shall be permitted only with the permission of three judges of the Supreme
Court:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 54
1) to interrogate a judge and to withdraw his or her personal notes regarding a secret of
the deliberations room;
2) to interrogate, withdraw documents, and request information regarding employees
who perform direct detective operations in a criminal environment, intelligence or
counterintelligence in foreign countries.
(3) The permission of an investigating judge shall be necessary:
1) for the inspection and withdrawal of secret or top secret documents containing State
secrets;
2) the inspection and withdrawal of an unopened will, and the interrogation of persons
who have approved such will regarding the will;
3) in order to interrogate an employee and the person who performs investigative actions
on behalf of the person directing the proceedings or an investigating institution if such persons
do not wish to provide testimony.
(4) A medical institution shall provide information on a patient only on the basis of a written
request of the person directing the proceedings.
(5) During the pre-trial proceedings, undisclosable information that is at the disposal of credit
institutions or financial institutions or documents that contain such information may be
requested therefrom or transactions in the accounts of the customers of credit institutions or
financial institutions may be monitored for a definite period of time only by a decision of the
person directing the proceedings which has been approved by the investigating judge.
Transaction in the account of a client of a credit institution or financial institution may be
monitored for a period of time up to three months, but, if necessary, the investigating judge may
extend the time period for a period of time up to three months.
(6) A mediator of the State Probation Service has the right not to testify regarding settlement
proceedings, as well as regarding the behaviour of the parties involved and third parties during
the settlement meeting, except in cases when information regarding another criminal offence is
revealed during the settlement proceedings.
[19 January 2006; 14 January 2010; 23 May 2013; 19 December 2013; 29 May 2014;
27 September 2018]
Section 122. Immunity of an Advocate
(1) The following shall not be permitted:
1) to interrogate an advocate as a witness regarding facts that have become known to
him or her in providing legal assistance in any form;
2) to control, perform an inspection, or withdraw documents that an advocate has drawn
up, or a correspondence that he or she has received or sent in providing legal assistance, as well
to conduct a search in order to find and withdraw such correspondence and documents;
3) to control the information systems and means of communication to be used by an
advocate for the provision of legal assistance, to take information from such systems or means,
and to interfere in the operation thereof.
(2) Unlawful activity by a representative or advocate performed in the interests of a client in
providing legal assistance of any form, as well as an activity for the promotion of an unlawful
offence of a client, shall not be recognised as a provision of legal assistance.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 55
Division Two
Evidence and Investigative Actions
Chapter 9 Proving and Evidence
Section 123. Proving
Proving is an activity of a person involved in criminal proceedings that is expressed as
the justification, using evidence, of the existence or non-existence of facts included in an object
of evidence.
Section 124. Objects of Evidence
(1) Objects of evidence are the totality of circumstances to be proven, and the facts and auxiliary
facts connected thereto, in the course of criminal proceedings.
(2) The existence or non-existence of the content of a criminal offence shall be proved in
criminal proceedings, as well as other conditions provided for in The Criminal Law and this
Law that have significance in the fair regulation of specific criminal-legal relations.
(3) Related facts are not conditions to be proven in criminal proceedings, but are connected
thereto, and provide grounds for drawing a conclusion regarding the conditions to be proven.
(4) The certainty or non-certainty of other evidence, as well as the possibility or impossibility
to use such evidence in proving, shall be justified with auxiliary facts.
(5) The conditions included in an object of evidence shall be considered proven, if any
reasonable doubts regarding the existence or non-existence thereof have been excluded during
the course of proving.
(6) In criminal proceedings and in proceedings regarding criminally acquired property, the
conditions included in an object of evidence in relation to the criminal origin of the property
shall be considered proven if there are grounds to recognise during the course of proving that a
property is, most likely, of criminal rather than lawful origin.
(7) In order to prove the laundering of proceeds from crime, there is no need to establish the
specific predicate criminal offence.
[22 June 2017; 20 June 2018; 21 November 2019]
Section 125. Legal Presumption of a Fact
(1) Without the additional performance of procedural actions, the following conditions shall be
considered proven, if the opposite is not proven during the course of criminal proceedings:
1) generally known facts;
2) facts determined in another criminal proceedings with a court judgment or the
prosecutor’s penal order that has entered into effect;
3) the fact of an administrative violation recorded in accordance with the procedures
laid down in the law, if a person has known such fact;
4) the fact that a person knows or should have known his or her duties provided for in
laws and regulations;
5) the fact that a person knows or should have known his or her professional duties and
duties of office;
6) the correctness of research methods generally accepted in contemporary science,
technology, art, or skilled trades;
7) the fact established by a court ruling which has come into effect that the property is
criminally acquired or related to a criminal offence.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 56
(2) It shall be considered proven that a person has violated the copyrights, related rights, or
rights to a trademark of a legal owner, if such person is not able to believably explain or justify
the acquisition or origin of such rights.
(3) It shall be considered proven that the property with which laundering activities have been
performed is criminally acquired if a person involved in criminal proceedings is not able to
believably explain the legality of origin of the relevant property and the totality of evidence
provides grounds for the person directing the proceedings to assume that a property is, most
likely, of criminal origin.
[12 March 2009; 21 November 2019]
Section 126. Subjects of Evidence and the Duty of Proving
(1) All persons involved in criminal proceedings upon whom the obligation has been imposed,
or the rights have been conferred, with this Law to perform proving shall be considered subjects
of evidence.
(2) The person directing the proceedings has the duty of proving in pre-trial criminal
proceedings, and the maintainer of prosecution has such duty in court.
(3) If a person involved in criminal proceedings considers that one of the facts presumed in
Section 125 of this Law is not true, the person involved in proceedings who contends such fact
has the duty to indicate evidence regarding the non-conformity with reality of such fact.
(31) If a person involved in criminal proceedings affirms that the property is not considered as
criminally acquired, such person shall have a duty to prove the legality of the origin of the
relevant property. If the person does not provide credible information regarding the legality of
the origin of the property within a specific time period, such person is forbidden to receive
compensation for the harm caused thereto in relation to the restrictions imposed within the
criminal proceedings to act with this property.
(4) A person who has the right to defence in relation to the investigation of an offence shall
indicate circumstances that exclude criminal liability, as well as indicate the alibi, if such
information has not already been acquired in the investigation. If the person does not indicate
such circumstances or the alibi, the prosecution does not have a duty to prove the non-existence
thereof, and the court shall not provide the assessment thereof in a judgment, but the person
shall be prohibited from the possibility to receive compensation for losses that have occurred
in unjustifiably regarding him or her as a suspect, if the termination of criminal proceedings or
the acquittal of the person is related to the ascertaining of the referred to circumstances.
[22 June 2017; 21 November 2019]
Section 127. Evidence
(1) Evidence in criminal proceedings is any information acquired in accordance with the
procedures provided for in the Law, and fixed in a specific procedural form, regarding facts that
persons involved in the criminal proceedings use, in the framework of the competence thereof,
in order to justify the existence or non-existence of conditions included in an object of evidence.
(2) Persons involved in criminal proceedings may use as evidence only reliable, attributable,
and admissible information regarding facts.
(3) Information regarding facts acquired in operational activities measures, and information that
has been recorded with the assistance of technical means, shall be used as evidence only if it is
possible to examine such information in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(4) If the information referred to in Paragraph three of this Section is used as evidence in
criminal proceedings, a reference shall be attached thereto regarding which institution, when
and for what time period has accepted the performance of operational activities measures. A
reference shall be issued to the person directing the proceedings by the head of the institution
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 57
which has accepted the performance of the operational activities measure or an official
authorised by him or her.
[12 March 2009]
Section 128. Reliability of Evidence
(1) The reliability of evidence is the degree of the determination of the veracity of a piece of
information.
(2) The reliability of the information regarding facts that is to be used in proving shall be
assessed by considering all the facts, or information regarding facts, acquired during criminal
proceedings as a whole and in the mutual relation thereof.
(3) No piece of the evidence has a previously specified degree of reliability higher than other
pieces of evidence.
Section 129. Relevance of Evidence
Evidence shall be attributable to a specific criminal proceedings if information regarding
facts directly or indirectly approves the existence or non-existence of the circumstances to be
proven in the criminal proceedings, as well as the existence or non-existence of other evidence,
or the possibility or impossibility to use other evidence.
Section 130. Admissibility of Evidence
(1) It shall be admissible to use information regarding facts acquired during criminal
proceedings, if such information was obtained and procedurally fixed in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this Law.
(2) Information regarding facts that has been acquired in the following manner shall be
recognised as inadmissible and unusable in proving:
1) using violence, threats, blackmail, fraud, or duress;
2) in a procedural action that was performed by a person who, in accordance with this
Law, did not have the right to perform such operation;
3) allowing the violations specially indicated in this Law that prohibit the use of a
specific piece of evidence;
4) violating the fundamental principles of criminal proceedings.
(3) Information regarding facts that has been obtained by allowing other procedural violations
shall be considered restrictedly admissible, and may be used in proving only in the case where
the allowed procedural violations are not essential or may be prevented, or such violations have
not influenced the veracity of the acquired information, or if the reliability of such information
is approved by the other information acquired in the proceedings.
(4) Evidence acquired in a conflict of interest situation shall be allowed only if a maintainer of
prosecution is able to prove that the conflict of interests has not influenced the objective
progress of the criminal proceedings.
Section 131. Testimony
(1) Evidence in criminal proceedings may be information regarding facts provided in a
testimony during an interrogation or questioning by a person regarding the circumstances to be
proven in the criminal proceedings, and the facts and auxiliary facts connected thereto.
(2) Testimony is also a report, submission or explanation regarding the criminal offence,
specific facts and circumstances written and signed by the person himself or herself and
addressed to an investigating institution, office of the prosecutor, or court.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 58
(3) If a person had the right, in the cases determined in this Law, to refuse to provide testimony,
and the person was informed regarding such right, but nevertheless did provide such testimony,
then such testimony shall be assessed as evidence.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Section 132. Conclusion of an Expert or Auditor
(1) Evidence in criminal proceedings may be the conclusion of an expert or an auditor regarding
facts and circumstances that has been provided by an expert or auditor involved in specific
criminal proceedings.
(2) Explanations provided by an expert or an auditor regarding a conclusion, or provided
information regarding or circumstances, shall be the testimony of the expert or auditor.
Section 133. Conclusion of the Competent Authority
(1) A piece of evidence in criminal proceedings may be the written conclusion of an authority
performing the function of control or supervision regarding the facts and circumstances of an
event the control of the observance or supervision of which is performed by such institution in
accordance with the competence (authorisation) specified in laws and regulations.
(2) An inventory or audit statement drawn up by a commission of competent persons authorised
for the drawing up of such statement shall also be considered the conclusion of the competent
authority in criminal proceedings.
(3) A statement issued by the competent authority regarding facts and circumstances that are at
the disposal of such institution in connection with the competence and directions of operations
thereof shall also be considered the conclusion of the competent authority.
Section 134. Material Evidence
(1) Material evidence in criminal proceedings may be anything that was used as an object for
committing a criminal offence, or that has preserved traces of a criminal offence, or contains
information in any other way regarding facts and is usable in proving. The same thing may be
a material evidence in several criminal proceedings.
(2) If a thing is to be used in proving in connection with the thematic information included
therein, such thing shall be considered not as material evidence, but rather as a document.
[12 March 2009; 22 June 2017]
Section 135. Documents
(1) A document may be evidence in criminal proceedings, if such document is to be used in
proving only in connection with the thematic information contained therein.
(2) A document may contain information regarding facts in writing or in another form.
Computerised information media, and recordings made with sound- and image-recording
technical means, the thematically recorded information in which may be used as evidence shall
also be considered documents, within the meaning of evidence, in criminal proceedings.
Section 136. Electronic Evidence
Evidence in criminal proceedings may be information regarding facts in the form of
electronic information that has been processed, stored, or broadcast with automated data
processing devices or systems.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 59
Section 137. Information Acquired by Investigative Actions
Evidence in criminal proceedings may be information regarding facts that has been fixed
in the minutes of investigative actions, or recorded in other forms specified in this Law.
Chapter 10 Investigative Actions
Section 138. Investigative Actions
(1) Investigative actions are procedural actions that are directed toward the acquisition of
information or the examination of already acquired information in specific criminal
proceedings.
(2) A person authorised to conduct criminal proceedings is entitled to perform, within the
framework of his or her authorisation, only the investigative actions provided for in this Law.
Section 139. General Provisions for the Performance of Investigative Actions
(1) Investigative actions to be previously planned shall usually be performed in the hours from
8:00 to 20:00. An investigative action shall be conducted without delay in cases where such
investigative action is not deferrable because such course of action may lead to the loss of
essential evidence, and jeopardises the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings.
(2) At the beginning of an investigative action, the performer thereof shall inform a person
involved in the specific proceedings of his or her rights and obligations, and shall notify of the
liability for the failure to fulfil his or her obligations. A person whose procedural duties are also
simultaneously the professional work duties thereof shall not be informed and notified.
(3) It is prohibited to use violence, threats, or lies against a person who participates in an
investigative action, as well as other illegal actions, actions that do not comply with moral
norms, or actions that endanger the life or health of the person or that injure the dignity of the
person. A person of the opposite sex, with the exception of medical practitioners, is prohibited
from participating in or performing investigative actions that are related to the denuding of the
body of a person.
(4) The disclosure of information regarding the private life of a person who participates in an
investigative action is prohibited, as is the disclosure of information that contains a professional
secret or commercial secret, except cases where such information is necessary for proving.
(5) An investigative action may be performed by using technical means in accordance with the
procedure specified in Section 140 of this Law, as well as if it is necessary by inviting an expert,
auditor or specialist.
(6) The trial at which the special features of investigative actions are performed shall be
determined by Divisions Eight through Eleven of this Law.
(7) In performing the procedural actions, communication between the victim and his or her
immediate family with the person who has the right to representation shall be avoided as much
as possible, unless such communication is necessary for achieving the objectives of criminal
proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 140. Performance of an Investigative Action by Using Technical Means
(1) The person directing the proceedings may perform an investigative action by using technical
means (teleconference, videoconference) if the interests of criminal proceedings require such
use.
(2) During the course of a procedural action using technical means, it shall be ensured that the
person directing the proceedings and persons who participate in the procedural action and are
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 60
located in various premises and buildings can hear each other during a teleconference, and see
and hear each other during a videoconference.
(21) In the case referred to in Paragraph two of this Section the person directing the proceedings
shall authorise or assign the head of the institution located in the second place of the occurrence
of the procedural action to authorise a person who will ensure the course of the procedural
action at his or her location (hereinafter – authorised person).
(3) In commencing a procedural action, the person directing the proceedings shall notify:
1) regarding the places, date, and time of the occurrence of the procedural action;
2) the position, given name, and surname of the person directing the proceedings;
3) the positions, given name, and surname of the authorised persons who are located in
the second place of the occurrence of the procedural action;
4) regarding the content of the procedural action and the performance thereof using
technical means.
(4) On the basis of an invitation, persons who participate in a procedural action shall announce
the given name, surname, and procedural status thereof.
(5) The authorised person shall examine and certify the identity of a person who participates in
a procedural action, but is not located in one room with the person directing the proceedings.
(6) The person directing the proceedings shall inform the persons who participate in procedural
actions regarding the rights and duties thereof, and in the cases provided for by law shall notify
of the liability for the non-execution of the duties thereof and initiate an investigative action.
(7) The authorised person shall draw up a certification, indicating the place, date, and time of
the occurrence of a procedural action, the position, given name, and surname thereof, and the
given name, surname, personal identity number, and address of each person present at the place
of the occurrence of such procedural action, as well as the announced report, if the Law provides
for liability for the non-execution of the duty thereof. Notified persons shall sign regarding such
report. The certification shall also indicate interruptions in the course of the procedural action,
and the end time of the procedural action. The certification shall be signed by all the persons
present at the place of the occurrence of the procedural action, and such certification shall be
sent to the person directing the proceedings for attachment to the minutes of the procedural
action.
(8) The investigative actions performed using technical means shall be recorded in pre-trial
proceedings in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 143 of this Law, and other
procedural actions shall be recorded in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 142
of this Law. During trial of a case, the procedural actions performed using technical means shall
be recorded in the minutes of a court hearing.
[21 October 2010]
Section 141. Recording of an Investigative Action
(1) An investigative action shall be recorded in minutes, sound, or sound and image recording.
(2) [20 June 2018]
(3) In the cases determined in this Law, the progress and results of an investigative action may
be recorded only in a conclusion, report, or account.
[20 June 2018]
Section 142. Minutes of an Investigative Action
(1) The minutes of an investigative action shall be written during the course of the investigative
actions or immediately after completion thereof by the performer of the investigative action or,
under the assignment thereof, by another person present.
(2) The minutes of an investigative action shall be written in accordance with the requirements
of Section 326 of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 61
(3) If the disclosure of the address of a person involved in an investigative action is not usable
due to security reasons, such address shall be substituted in the minutes by the address and
telephone number of the institution through the intermediation of which it is possible to contact
the relevant person.
(4) The performer of an investigative action shall familiarise the persons who participate in the
investigative action with the minutes, and all shall sign such minutes. If a person refuses or, due
to physical deficiencies or other reasons, is not able to sign, an entry shall be made in the
minutes regarding such refusal specifying the reasons and motives.
(5) Before signing, each person is entitled to request that corrections and additions be made in
the minutes, or that such person make additions himself or herself.
[12 March 2009]
Section 143. Use of a Sound, Sound and Image Recording
(1) The performer of the investigative action, by recording the course of the investigative action
in a sound or sound and image recording, shall notify the persons who participate in the
investigative action of such recording before the commencement of the investigative action.
(11)When commencing a sound or sound and image recording of the investigative action, the
following shall be recorded therein:
1) the investigative action to be conducted;
2) the place and date of the occurrence of the action;
3) the time when the action was commenced;
4) the position, given name, and surname of the performer of the procedural action;
5) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the person who participates
in the investigative action, while for the advocate – the given name, surname, place of practice,
and procedural status;
6) informing the person of his or her rights and obligations, in the cases provided for in
the law – warning of liability for the failure to fulfil the obligations.
(2) The whole course of the investigative action, as well as the time when the action was
completed shall be recorded in the recording. A partial recording shall not be allowed.
(21) In investigative actions which cover a wide territory or premises or which are to be
performed within an extended time period a recording may be made partly fixing only the
information and facts possibly related with the criminal offence to be investigated.
(3) Information recorded in a sound or sound and image recording shall be recognised as more
precise and more complete in comparison with information recorded in writing.
(4) A report shall be prepared on the investigative action recorded in the sound or sound and
image recording where the most essential facts established during the investigative action shall
be indicated. The report shall be prepared within seven days after completion of the
investigative action.
(5) The sound or sound and image recording of an investigative action shall be stored together
with the criminal case.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 144. Use of Scientific-technical Means in Investigative Actions
(1) Scientific-technical means may be used in investigative actions.
(2) The use of scientific-technical means in investigative actions is prohibited, if such use
engenders the life and health of persons who participate in the investigative action.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 62
Section 145. Interrogation
Interrogation is an investigative action the content of which is the acquisition of
information from a person to be interrogated.
Section 146. Summons to an Interrogation
(1) A person shall be summoned to an interrogation with a summons or in some other way,
informing the person regarding who is summoning such person, the case in which such person
is being summoned to provide testimony and the consequences of not attending.
(2) A person arrested shall be summoned to an interrogation through the intermediation of the
institution in which such person is held. A person arrested may also be interrogated in such
institution.
(3) A minor shall usually be summoned to an interrogation through the intermediation of his or
her lawful representative, educational institution, or Orphan’s and Custody Court. If conditions
exist that justifiably prohibit or hinder the use of such summoning procedure, the minor shall
be summoned without using the referred to intermediation.
(4) A person for whom special protection has been specified shall be summoned to an
interrogation through the intermediation of the institution that ensures the special protection of
such person.
[12 March 2009; 30 March 2017]
Section 147. Interrogation Procedure
(1) Interrogation shall begin with the ascertaining of the identity of the person to be interrogated
and the languages to be used in the interrogation. It shall be ascertained whether the person
being interrogated understands the language in which the proceedings are taking place, and the
language in which he or she can testify.
(2) A performer of an investigative action shall explain to a person being interrogated the rights
and duties provided for him or her in this Law.
(3) The data of a person to be interrogated – his or her given name, surname, and personal
identity number –are a component of a testimony.
(4) If a testimony is related to numbers, dates, and other information that is difficult to
remember, a person being interrogated has the right to use his or her documents and notes, as
well as to read such documents and notes. The notes of the person being interrogated may be
attached to the case.
(5) During the course of an interrogation, a person being interrogated may be presented with
the objects, documents, and sound and image recordings attached to a case, and documents may
be read to him or her or recordings played for him or her, regarding which a note shall be made
in the minutes. Materials shall be presented only after testimonies in the relevant matter of a
person being interrogated have been recorded in the minutes.
(6) The reading or playing back of prior testimony of the person being interrogated shall be
allowed if:
1) there are substantial contradictions between prior testimony and current testimony;
2) the person being interrogated refuses to testify; or
3) the case is being examined in court in the absence of the person being interrogated.
(7) If special procedural protection has been specified for a person, the provisions of Section
308 of this Law shall be complied with in an interrogation thereof.
[20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 63
Section 148. Length of an Interrogation
(1) The length of an interrogation of a person of legal age without the consent of such person
shall not exceed eight hours during a twenty-four-hour term, including an interruption.
(2) An interrogation of a minor shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 152 and 153 of this Law.
Section 149. Recording of an Interrogation
(1) A testimony provided in an interrogation shall be recorded in minutes, sound or sound and
image recording.
(2) If a testimony is recorded in the minutes, it shall be written in the first person. Upon a request
of the person to be interrogated, he or she may write the testimony in the minutes by hand
himself or herself.
[20 June 2018]
Section 150. Interrogation of a Person which has the Right to Defence
At the beginning of first interrogation of a person which has the right to defence:
1) biographical information of the person shall be ascertained: his or her place and time
of birth, citizenship, education, marital status, place of work or educational institution, type of
occupation or occupational position, place of residence, criminal record, unless such data have
been already found out in the specific criminal proceedings;
2) the procedural situation of the person shall be explained to such person, and a copy
of the document (if such document is provided for in the Law) that determines such procedural
situation, or a notification in which the content of the document has been included shall be
issued, if it has not already been issued to such person in the specific criminal proceedings;
3) an extract from the Law shall be issued to the person wherein the procedural rights
and duties thereof are specified, if such extract has not yet been issued to such person in the
specific criminal proceedings;
4) the rights of the person to not testify shall be explained to such person, and such
person shall be notified that everything that he or she says may be used against such person.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018]
Section 151. Interrogation of Witness, Victim, Representative and Owner of Property
Infringed during the Criminal Proceedings
(1) Before an interrogation, the rights and duties of a witness, victim, a representative provided
for in this Law and owner or legal possessor of property infringed during the criminal
proceedings shall be explained to him or her and he or she shall be notified regarding the
liability for refusing to testify or for knowingly giving false testimony.
(2) Witnesses and victims may be interrogated regarding all the circumstances and regarding
any person involved in the criminal proceedings if the information provided is or may be
significant in a case. If it is established during interrogation of a witness that there are grounds
for changing the procedural status of the witness, determining that he or she is a person who
has the right to defence, the interrogation of such person in the status of a witness shall be
discontinued.
(21) A submission expressed by a person in oral form regarding a criminal offence may be
recorded in the protocol of interrogation.
(3) A representative and an owner of the property infringed during the criminal proceedings
shall be interrogated, observing the provisions for interrogation of a witness, however, such
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 64
persons shall not lose the status of the representative or the owner of the property infringed
during the criminal proceedings.
(4) The interrogation of a victim is conducted as soon as possible. The number of interrogations
is as small as possible. The interrogation of a victim shall be performed, as much as possible,
by the same person.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 18 February 2016]
Section 151.1 Special Features of Interrogation of a Specially Protected Victim in Pre-trial
Criminal Proceedings
(1) Interrogation of a specially protected victim is performed in a separate room appropriate for
such purposes or without the presence of persons not related to the particular procedural action.
(2) Interrogation of such person who has been recognised as a victim of violence committed by
a person upon whom the victim is dependent financially or otherwise, a victim of human
trafficking, or a criminal offence directed against morality or sexual inviolability of the person,
shall be conducted by a performer of an investigative action of the same gender. The
abovementioned condition need not be conformed to, if the victim himself or herself or his or
her representative agrees thereto. If the victim of a criminal offence directed against morality
or sexual inviolability of a person and the person who has the right to defence is of the same
gender and if it is requested by the victim or his or her representative, the interrogation shall be
performed by a performer of an investigative action of the opposite gender.
[18 February 2016]
Section 152. Special Features of an Interrogation of a Minor
(1) The course of interrogation of a minor shall be recorded in an audio and video recording, if
it is in the best interests of the minor and if it is necessary for achieving the objective of criminal
proceedings. The course of interrogation of a minor who has been recognised as a victim of
violence committed by a person upon whom the victim is dependent financially or otherwise, a
victim of human trafficking, or a criminal offence directed against morality or sexual
inviolability of the person, shall be recorded in an audio and video recording, except when it is
in contradiction with the best interests of the minor or hinders the achievement of the objective
of criminal proceedings. The length of an interrogation of a minor without the consent of such
minor may not exceed six hours, during a twenty-four-hour term, including an interruption.
(2) A minor shall be interrogated by a performer of an investigative action who has special
knowledge regarding communication with a minor during criminal proceedings. If the
performer of an investigative action has not acquired special knowledge regarding
communication with a minor during criminal proceedings or if the performer of an investigative
action deems it necessary, the minor shall be interrogated in the presence of a pedagogue or a
psychologist. The representative of a minor has the right to participate in interrogation if the
minor does not object thereto. The referred to person may ask the person being interrogated
questions, with the permission of the performer of the investigative action.
(3) A minor who has not reached 14 years of age shall not be notified regarding liability for
refusal to testify and for knowingly giving false testimony.
(4) If a psychologist indicates to the person directing the proceedings that the psyche of a person
who has not reached 14 years of age or the psyche of a minor who has been recognised as a
victim of violence committed by a person upon whom the victim is financially or otherwise
dependent, a victim of human trafficking or criminal offence against morals or sexual
inviolability, may be harmed by repeated direct interrogation, such direct interrogation shall be
conducted only with the permission of the investigating judge, but in a court – with a court
decision.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 65
[12 March 2009; 20 December 2012; 29 May 2014; 18 February 2016; 27 September 2018 /
See Paragraph 59 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 153. Interrogation of a Minor Person with the Intermediation of a Psychologist
(1) If a psychologist considers that the psyche of a person who has not reached 14 years of age
or the psyche of a minor who has been recognised as a victim of violence committed by a person
upon whom the victim is financially or otherwise dependent, a victim of human trafficking or
criminal offence against morals or sexual inviolability, may be harmed by a direct interrogation,
it may be performed with the intermediation of technical means and a psychologist. If an
investigator or prosecutor does not agree, the direct interrogation shall be performed only with
the permission of the investigating judge, and in a court – with a court decision.
(2) The person directing the proceedings and another person invited by him or her shall be
located in another room where technical means shall ensure that the person to be interrogated
and the psychologist may be seen and heard. The person being interrogated shall be located
together with the psychologist in a room that is suitable for a conversation with a minor, and in
which it has been technically ensured that the questions asked by the person directing the
proceedings are heard only by the psychologist.
(3) If a person to be interrogated has not reached 14 years of age, a psychologist, complying
with the specific conditions, shall explain to the minor the necessity of the operations taking
place and the meaning of the information provided by such minor, ascertain personal data, ask
the questions of the person directing the proceedings in a form that corresponds with the psyche
of the minor, and, if necessary, inform regarding a break in the investigative action and the
resuming thereof.
(4) If the person to be interrogated has reached 14 years of age, the person directing the
proceedings shall inform a minor, with the intermediation of a psychologist, regarding the
essence of the investigative action to be performed, ascertain the personal data of such minor,
explain his or her rights and duties, and notify of the liability for the non-execution of the duties
thereof, ask the questions of the person directing the proceedings in a form that corresponds
with the psyche of the minor, and, if necessary, inform regarding a break in the investigative
action and the resuming thereof.
(5) The course of an interrogation shall be recorded in accordance with the requirements of
Sections 141–143 of this Law. A person to be interrogated who has not reached the age of 14
shall not sign minutes.
[12 March 2009; 20 December 2012; 29 May 2014]
Section 154. Duty to Indicate the Source of Information
(1) A court may assign a mass-media journalist or editor to indicate the source of published
information.
(2) An investigating judge shall decide on the proposal of an investigator or prosecutor, having
listened to the submitter of the proposal, or a mass-media journalist or editor, and having
familiarised himself or herself with the materials.
(3) An investigating judge shall take a decision on indication of the source of information,
complying with the proportionality of the rights of the person and the public interest.
(4) A decision of a judge may be appealed by the submitter of a proposal, or a mass-media
journalist or editor, and such appeal shall be examined within 10 days by a higher-level court
judge in a written procedure the decision of which shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 66
Section 155. Questioning
(1) If the fact that a testimony has not been recorded in detail does not threaten the achievement
of the objective of criminal proceedings, information regarding the facts included in the object
of evidence may also be acquired in accordance with the questioning procedures. Such
information (also clarifying information regarding the amount of the loss caused) which does
not affect the legal qualification of the criminal offence may be recorded in the questioning.
(2) During a questioning, the performer of an investigative action shall ascertain the identity of
the person to be questioned, explain his or her rights and obligations, and find out the
information significant to the investigation known to such person, or the non-existence of such
information.
(3) [12 March 2009]
(4) The performer of the investigative action shall write a report regarding the progress and
results of the questioning in which the following shall be indicated:
1) the place of the questioning or the fact that the questioning takes place, using means
of communication, and the date, the start and end time thereof;
2) the position, given name, and surname of the person who performed the questioning;
3) the given name, surname, and address of the questioned persons;
4) the testimony provided by each person; if the testimonies of several persons are the
same, such information shall be referred to only one time;
5) the used scientific-technical means;
(5) Several testimonies may be reflected in one report.
(6) The report shall not be written, if the questioning has been performed, using electronic mail.
Correspondence with the person shall be appended to the case materials.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 156. Interrogation of an Expert and an Auditor
(1) The person directing the proceedings may summon an expert or auditor to provide testimony
in order to:
1) ascertain the matters significant to the case that are related to the conclusion of the
expert or auditor and that do not require additional research;
2) clarify information regarding the research method used in an expert-examination or
audit, or the terms used in a conclusion;
3) acquire information regarding other facts and conditions that are not a component of
a conclusion, but are related to the participation of the expert or auditor in the criminal
proceedings;
4) ascertain the qualification of the expert or auditor.
(2) An interrogation of an expert or an auditor shall be performed in conformity with the
provisions of an interrogation of a witness, however such persons shall not lose their status of
an expert or an auditor.
[12 March 2009]
Section 157. Confrontation
(1) Confrontation is the simultaneous interrogation of two or more persons which is carried out
if there are substantial contradictions in the previous testimonies of such persons.
(2) [20 June 2018]
[20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 67
Section 158. Confrontation Procedure
(1) Confrontation shall take place in conformity with the provisions of an interrogation, except
the provision indicated in this Section.
(2) Confrontation shall be commenced with a question regarding whether the confronted
persons know each other, and regarding the nature of the mutual relations of such persons.
(3) During the course of a confrontation, the confronted persons shall be asked questions in
succession regarding the circumstances wherein there exist contradictions in the previous
testimonies thereof, and regarding the reasons for such contradictions.
(4) Confronted persons may ask one another questions with the permission of the performer of
the investigative action. The performer of the investigative action is entitled to reject questions
that are not essential or do not apply to the case. All asked questions and answers shall be
recorded.
(5) The previous testimonies of a confronted person may be read only after testimony that he
or she has provided during the confrontation has been recorded.
(6) Each confronted person shall sign his or her testimony, except when only a sound or sound
and image recording has been made.
(7) If a person for whom special procedural protection has been specified participates in a
confrontation, the confrontation shall be conducted in conformity with the provisions provided
for in Division Four of this Law.
[20 June 2018]
Section 159. Inspection
(1) An inspection is an investigative action during the course of which the performer of the
investigative action directly detects, determines, and records the features of an object, if the
possibility exists that such object is related to the criminal offence being investigated.
(2) In order to find traces of a criminal offence, and to ascertain other significant conditions, a
visual inspection may be performed of the site of the event, the terrain, the premises, vehicle,
item, document, corpse, animal, or another object.
Section 160. General Provisions of an Inspection
(1) The performer of an investigative action may invite any person involved in specific criminal
proceedings to participate in an inspection.
(2) In order to ensure the preservation of the object of an inspection, the guarding thereof may
be organised.
(3) If, during the course of an inspection, it becomes necessary to conduct a search, perform
presentation for recognition, or perform other investigative actions, such operations shall be
performed in conformity with the provisions for the performance of the relevant investigative
action.
(4) If an object is found during the course of another investigative action, the inspection thereof
may be performed in the same investigative action, recording the results of the inspection in the
minutes of the investigative action.
(5) An inspection of various premises or surrounding territories may be performed
simultaneously by several officials who are authorised to conduct criminal proceedings. Each
official shall record the course of inspection separately, indicating the borders and inspection
results of each specific inspected object.
(6) An inspection of automated data processing system (a part thereof) shall not be usually
performed on site, but such system (a part thereof) shall be withdrawn, ensuring retaining of
data completeness in unmodified condition.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 68
Section 161. Participation of an Expert or Auditor in an Inspection
(1) If traces of a criminal offence, or objects for which the performance of an expert-
examination is subsequently necessary, are found and withdrawn during an inspection wherein
an expert participates, the location and features of such traces or objects, the fact of its
withdrawal, and the persons under the liability of whom such objects or traces have been
transferred shall be indicated in the minutes of the inspection. In such cases, the inspection of
the removed traces and things shall take place during the course of an expert-examination.
(2) The person directing the proceedings may assign an expert to perform an entire inspection
completely, if the object to be inspected is subjected as a whole to further expert-examination.
(3) If an auditor participates in an inspection, the person directing the proceedings may assign
him to perform an inspection and removal of the documents necessary for an audit or inventory.
The minutes of an inspection shall only indicate such documents, the location thereof, the fact
of withdrawal, and the auditor under the liability of whom the documents withdrawn for the
performance of the audit or inventory were transferred. The inspection of documents shall take
place in the course of the audit or inventory.
Section 162. Inspection of the Location of an Event
(1) An inspection of the location of an event is an inspection of a specific place and the objects
located therein, if such inspection is performed after receipt of information regarding a
committed criminal offence, and if there are sufficient grounds for thinking that a criminal
offence has taken place or is continuing to take place in such location.
(2) If an inspection of the location of an event has been performed incompletely, and doubts or
additional questions have arisen, an additional inspection of the location of the event may be
performed. If essential violations of procedural order have been allowed for in an inspection of
the location of an event, a repeated inspection of the location of the event may be performed.
An additional or repeated inspection of the location of an event shall be performed in
conformity with the provisions of Section 163 of this Law.
(3) During the course of an inspection of the location of an event, the performer of the
investigative action may remove documents and objects with traces of a criminal offence.
Objects and documents, the circulation of which is prohibited by law, shall be withdrawn
regardless of the connection of such objects or documents with the specific criminal
proceedings. The removal of objects and documents shall be a component of an inspection of
the location of an event.
Section 163. Inspection of terrain, Premises, Vehicle, or Object
(1) If terrain, premises, vehicle, or object is related to a committed criminal offence, an
inspection of such terrain, premises, vehicle, or object may be performed.
(2) An inspection of a publicly inaccessible terrain or premises, the objects located in such
terrain or premises, as well as a vehicle, may be performed only with the consent of the user of
such terrain, premises, or vehicle, or a decision of an investigating judge.
(21) In exceptional cases the inspection specified in Paragraph two of this Section, unless it is
the inspection of the location of an event, may be performed by a decision of a person directing
the proceedings. An investigator shall perform the inspection by a consent of a prosecutor. The
person directing the proceedings shall, not later than on the next working day, notify the
investigating judge of the inspection conducted by presenting the inspection protocol and
materials justifying the necessity and emergency of the inspection.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 69
(3) Terrain, premises, or vehicles located in the ownership, possession, or usage of physical and
legal persons shall be inspected, as far as possible, in the presence of such persons or of the
representative thereof.
(4) In complying with the emergency nature of an inspection of the location of an event, the
consent of a person is not necessary in order to enter the location of the event.
[12 March 2009]
Section 164. Inspection of Corpses
(1) If a forensic-medicine expert has not been assigned to perform an external inspection of a
corpse, such inspection shall be performed with the participation of a medical specialist.
(2) The cremation of a corpse shall be permitted only after performance of a forensic-medicine
expert-examination, if, during pre-trial proceedings, the consent of a prosecutor has been
received, or if, during trial, a court decision has been received.
Section 165. Exhumation of a Corpse
The exhumation of a corpse from the place of burial in order to perform an inspection
thereof, present such corpse for recognition, remove samples for comparison, or to perform an
expert-examination (exhumation of a corpse), shall be permitted with the consent of a member
of the immediate family of the deceased person, or, during pre-trial proceedings, with a decision
of the investigating judge, or, during trial, with a court decision.
[12 March 2009]
Section 166. Exhumation Procedures
(1) An exhumation of a corpse shall be co-ordinated beforehand with the competent health-
protection institution, and a forensic-medicine expert shall perform such co-ordination under
the assignment of the person directing the proceedings and in the presence of a representative
of the administration of the place of burial.
(2) An exhumation shall be recorded in minutes and photographed, or a video recording shall
be made of such exhumation.
(3) The reburial of a corpse after an exhumation shall be conducted with the permission of the
official whose decision was the grounds for the conducting of the exhumation.
Section 167. Inspection of Animals
In performing an inspection of an animal, the reaction of such animal to commands or
to the calling of the name of such animal shall be recorded, if necessary.
Section 168. Examination
(1) An examination of a person may be performed if there are sufficient grounds for thinking
that there are traces of a criminal offence, or special features that have significance in a case,
on the body of the person, or that the person himself or herself is in some kind of particular
physiological state, as well as in order to ascertain the physical development of such person.
(2) If the person directing the proceedings assigns another person to perform an examination,
he or she shall take a decision on such examination that indicates the person who is to be
examined, the purpose for such examination, and the person who has been assigned to perform
such operation.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 70
Section 169. Examination Procedures
(1) Examination shall take place in conformity with the provisions of an inspection, except that
which is indicated in this Section.
(2) If an examination is related to the denuding of the body of the person to be examined, but
the executor of the investigative action is a person of the opposite sex, the performer of the
investigative action shall assign a medical specialist to perform such operation. Minutes shall
be written by the performer of the investigative action with the participation of the medical
specialist who performed the examination.
Section 170. Examination by Force
(1) If a person does not agree to an examination, such examination shall be conducted by force.
(2) The examination by force of a person who is not a detained person, suspect, or accused in
the specific criminal proceedings may be performed only on the basis of a decision of an
investigating judge.
(3) If the performance of an examination is an emergency, and if delay may lead to the loss of
evidence or jeopardise the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings, such
examination may be performed with the consent of a prosecutor, notifying the investigating
judge of such examination, and presenting the minutes and materials of the investigative action
that justified the necessity and emergency of the investigative action, not later than the next
working day after examination. The judge shall examine the legality and validity of the
examination. If the investigative action was not justified, or if such operation was performed
illegally, the judge shall decide on the admissibility of the acquired evidence.
Section 171. Investigative Experiment
An investigative experiment is an investigative action whose content is the conducting
of special tests in order to ascertain whether an event or activity could have occurred under
certain conditions or in a certain way, and also in order to acquire new information, and examine
previously acquired information, regarding the conditions that have or may have significance
in a case.
Section 172. Procedures for an Investigative Experiment
(1) Persons who perform the operations included in an investigative experiment shall participate
in the experiment, if necessary, on the basis of an invitation of the performer of an investigative
action.
(2) An investigative experiment shall be conducted under conditions that must comply as far as
possible with the conditions under which the event or activity to be examined took place. In
order to exclude a random result, the operations included in the experiment may be conducted
multiple times.
Section 173. On-site Examination of Testimony
The on-site examination of testimonies is an investigative action the content of which is
an interrogation of a person regarding a fact provided in earlier testimonies, and an examination
of such fact on site, as well as a comparison of acquired results for the purpose of acquiring
new information, or of examining previously acquired information, regarding the conditions of
a case.
[20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 71
Section 174. Procedures for Conducting an On-site Examination
(1) the on-site examination of testimonies is conducted with the participation of the person who
has previously provided a testimony.
(2) During an on-site examination of testimony, a person shall testify in sequence regarding a
fact characterised in his or her previous testimony, and such testimony shall be followed by an
examination of such fact and an inspection of the location.
(3) If a contradiction between a testimony and a specific fact is determined, the performer of an
investigative action shall summon the person being interrogated to explain the reason for such
contradiction.
[20 June 2018]
Section 175. Presentation for Identification
(1) Presentation for identification is an investigative action whose content is the demonstration
of an object to a victim, a person against whom the criminal proceedings have been commenced,
a detained person, witness, suspect, or accused for the purpose of determining the identity
thereof with the object that such person knew or detected earlier in conditions that are related
to the event being investigated.
(2) A living person (on the basis of the external appearance, dynamic features, or voice thereof),
corpse, item , document, animal or other object may be presented for identification.
[12 March 2009]
Section 176. Interrogation prior to Presentation for Identification
Prior to the presentation of an object for identification, a person shall be interrogated
regarding the conditions under which he or she perceived or detected the object to be identified,
and regarding the characteristics and features of the object on the basis of which such person
could identity such object. The inability of the person being interrogated to describe the
characteristics and features of the object may not be a reason for refusing to conduct the
presentation for identification.
Section 177. Procedures for Conducting a Presentation for Identification
(1) An object to be identified shall be presented together with at least two more objects. All the
objects shall be mutually uniform, without drastic differences.
(2) The conditions under which a presentation for identification take place shall be as similar
as possible to the conditions under which the identifier perceived the object to be identified in
connection with the event being investigated, but the object to be identified shall, as far as
possible, be in the state and form that such object was at the time when the object was first
perceived.
(3) The placement of objects to be presented, or the order of the presentation thereof, shall be
such that the identifier is unable to know beforehand the location of the object to be identified,
and that he or she can fully perceive the characteristics and features thereof on the basis of
which such object may be identified. A person to be presented for identification shall select, by
himself or herself, a place among the other persons to be presented.
(4) Objects to be presented shall be photographed, insofar as possible, or a sound and image
recording shall be made of such objects.
(5) If the presentation of an actual object to be identified is not possible, a representation thereof
may be presented that has been obtained with the assistance of photographic, video, or other
scientific-technical means, and in which the characteristics and features thereof on the basis of
which such object may be identified have been recorded.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 72
(6) The provision referred to in Paragraph five of this Section shall also be complied with in
cases where the object to be identified is rarely encountered, and where it is difficult to find two
more mutually uniform objects.
(7) If an identifier indicates that one of the presented objects is the object to be identified, such
identifier shall be invited to explain, in as much detail as possible, the characteristics and
features on the basis of which he or she identified such object. The identified person shall be
summoned to announce his or her given name and surname.
(8) In cases where special procedural protection has been determined for an identifier, and such
protection is necessary for the security thereof, identification shall be performed in conformity
with the provisions of Division Four of this Law.
(9) The procedures laid down in Paragraph eight of this Section shall also be applied in cases
where it is necessary, due to ethical or psychological considerations, that the person to be
identified does not see the identifier.
Section 178. Presentation of Corpses for Identification
(1) One corpse shall be presented for identification, if necessary, after relevant tending thereto.
(2) The clothing of a corpse shall be presented for identification separately in accordance with
the procedures laid down in Section 177 of this Law.
Section 179. Searches
(1) A search is an investigative action whose content is the search by force of premises, terrain,
vehicles, and individual persons for the purpose of finding and removing the object being
sought, if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the object being sought is located in the
site of the search.
(2) A search shall be conducted for the purpose of finding objects, documents, corpses, or
persons being sought that are significant in criminal proceedings.
Section 180. Decision on a Search
(1) A search shall be conducted with a decision of an investigating judge or a court decision.
An investigating judge shall take a decision based on a proposal of the person directing the
proceedings and materials attached thereto.
(2) The decision on a search shall indicate who will search and remove, where, with whom, in
what case, and the objects and documents that will be sought and withdrawn.
(3) In emergency cases where, due to a delay, sought objects or documents may be destroyed,
hidden, or damaged, or a person being sought may escape, a search shall be performed with a
decision of the person directing the proceedings. If a decision is taken by an investigator then a
search shall be performed with the consent of a prosecutor.
(4) A decision on a search shall not be necessary in conducting a search of a person to be
detained, as well as in the case determined in Section 182, Paragraph five of this Law.
(5) The person directing the proceedings shall inform an investigating judge of the search
indicated in Paragraph three of this Section not later than on the next working day after
conducting thereof, presenting the materials that justified the necessity and emergency of the
investigative action, as well as the minutes of the investigative action. The judge shall examine
the legality and validity of the search. If the investigative action has been conducted illegally,
the investigating judge shall recognise the acquired evidence as inadmissible in criminal
proceedings, and shall decide on the actions with the withdrawn objects.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 73
Section 181. Persons Present at a Search
(1) A search shall be conducted in the presence of the person at whose site the search takes
place, or in the presence of a family member of legal age of such person. If the presence of the
relevant person is not possible, or if such person avoids participation in the search, the search
shall be conducted in the presence of the possessor, manager, or a representative of the local
government of the object subjected to the search.
(2) A search in the premises of a legal person shall be conducted in the presence of a
representative of the relevant legal person, and in the presence of the person in connection with
the operations or inactions of whom the search is taking place in the premises of the legal
person, if objective obstacles for conveying such person to the premises of the legal person do
not exist. If the presence of the representative is not possible, of if the representative avoids
participation in the search, the search shall be conducted in the presence of a representative of
the local government.
(3) A search shall be conducted in the presence of a suspect or accused person if it takes place
in the declared place of residence and work place of the referred to persons, except the case
where it is not possible due to objective reasons.
(4) In order to identify the objects being sought, a victim or witness may also be invited to a
search.
(5) The rights of persons located at the site of a search to be present during the entire term of
the operations of the performer of the investigative action, and to express the remarks thereof
regarding such operations, shall be explained to such persons.
[19 January 2006]
Section 182. Procedures for Conducting a Search
(1) A performer of an investigative action, together with the persons present during the
investigative action, is entitled to enter into the premises or geographical territory indicated in
a decision on a search in order to find the objects, documents, corpse, or person being sought
mentioned in the decision. Guarding of the location of a search may be organised, if necessary.
(2) In commencing a search, the performer of the investigative action shall issue a copy of the
decision on a search to the person at whose site the search is taking place. Such person shall
sign regarding such acquainting in the decision. Then the performer of the investigative action
shall summon such person to voluntarily issue the object being sought.
(3) If the person by whom a search is taking place refuses to open up the premises or storage
facilities located at the site of the search, the performer of the investigative action is entitled to
open such premises or storage facilities without causing unnecessary damage.
(4) Persons located at the site of a search may be prohibited from leaving such site, moving, or
talking among themselves until the end of the investigative action. If such persons impede the
conducting of the search with the actions thereof, such persons may be transported to other
premises.
(5) A search of premises or a geographical territory may also include a search of the vehicles
and persons located therein. If necessary, a search of a person may be conducted at the
beginning and at the end of a search of premises or a geographical territory.
(6) During a search, the objects and documents referred to in a decision, as well as other objects
and documents that may be significant in the case, shall be withdrawn. If things that are
prohibited from being kept, as well as things (objects, documents) the nature, identification
signs of which or traces present on such things indicate to connection with another criminal
offence, are found during a search, such things shall be withdrawn, indicating the reason for
such action in the minutes.
(7) If a victim or witness present at a search recognises one of the found objects, such finding
shall be indicated in the minutes.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 74
(8) All objects found and withdrawn in a search shall be presented to the persons present,
described in the minutes, and, if possible, packaged and sealed.
(9) If the person directing the proceedings has assigned an expert or auditor present at a search
to withdraw the objects found during the search and to perform the necessary expert
examination or audit, the minutes of the search shall indicate such objects, the location and
identifying features thereof, the fact of withdrawal, and the expert-examination institution or
auditor under the liability of which the withdrawn objects have been transferred.
(10) After completion of a search, the location of the search shall be returned, insofar as
possible, to the previous state thereof.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010]
Section 183. Search of a Person
(1) If there are sufficient grounds to believe that objects or documents that are significant for
criminal proceedings are located in the clothing of a person, in the property in his or her
presence, on his or her body, or in the open cavities of his or her body, a search of such person
may be conducted.
(2) A search of a person may be conducted only by an official of the same sex as such person,
inviting a medical practitioner to be present if necessary, regardless of his or her sex.
Section 184. Search in the Premises of Diplomatic or Consular Representative Offices
(1) A search in the premises of a diplomatic or consular representative office, or in premises
used by the parliamentary and governmental official delegations and missions of foreign
countries, may be conducted only upon request of the head of such representative office,
delegation, or mission, or with his or her consent.
(2) A search of premises wherein reside the employees of the diplomatic representative offices
of foreign countries and other institutions of foreign countries, as well as the members of the
parliamentary and governmental official delegations and missions of foreign country who enjoy
diplomatic immunity in accordance with the international agreements binding on Latvia, and
the family members thereof, and a search of such employees, members, and the family members
thereof, may be conducted only upon request thereof and with the consent thereof.
(3) The person directing the proceedings shall request the consent referred to in this Section
with the intermediation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
(4) The presence of a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mandatory in the
conducting of a search in the premises of a diplomatic or consular representative office.
Section 185. Issuance of a Copy of the Minutes of a Search
A copy of the minutes of a search shall be issued to the person at whose site such
investigative action was conducted, or to another person referred to in Section 181, Paragraphs
one and two of this Law.
Section 186. Withdrawal
Withdrawal is an investigative action whose content is the removal of objects or
documents significant to a case, if the performer of the investigative action knows where or by
whom the specific object or document is located and a search for such object or document is
not necessary, or such object or document is located in a publicly accessible place.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 75
Section 187. Decision on Withdrawal
(1) A withdrawal shall be conducted with the decision of the person directing the proceedings.
(2) The decision on withdrawal shall indicate who will perform withdrawal of an object or
document, where, with whom, in what case, and the objects and documents that will be
withdrawn.
Section 188. Withdrawal Procedures
(1) Upon commencing a withdrawal, the performer of the investigative action shall present the
decision to the person at whose site the withdrawal is being conducted. The person shall sign
therefor in the decision. Then the performer of the investigative action shall invite the person
to issue the object being withdrawn without delay.
(2) Withdrawn objects or documents shall be described in the minutes of the withdrawal.
(3) After completion of the investigative action, a copy of the minutes of a withdrawal and of
the decision shall be issued to the person at whose site the withdrawal was conducted.
(4) If a person refuses to issue an object to be withdrawn, or if the object or document to be
withdrawn cannot be found in the indicated location and there are grounds to believe that such
object or document is located elsewhere, the decision to conduct a search may be taken in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 180 of this Law, and the search may be
conducted in order to find such object or document.
[14 January 2010; 21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Section 189. Submission of Objects and Documents on the basis of the Initiative of a
Person
(1) Persons are entitled to submit to the person directing the proceedings objects and documents
that such persons believe may be significant in the criminal proceedings.
(2) The fact of submission shall be recorded in the minutes, which shall indicate the identifying
features of the objects or documents, as well as an explanation by the submitter regarding the
circumstances of the origination or acquisition of the object.
(3) If a person submits an object or document during an investigative action, such submission
shall be recorded in the minutes of such investigative action.
(4) If it has been ascertained that a submitted object or document does not have any significance
in criminal proceedings, such object or document shall be returned to the submitter.
Section 190. Submission of Objects and Documents Requested by the Person Directing
the Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings, without conducting the withdrawal provided for in
Section 186 of this Law, is entitled to request from natural or legal persons, in writing, objects,
documents and information regarding the facts that are significant to criminal proceedings,
including in the form of electronic information and document that is processed, stored or
transmitted using electronic information systems.
(2) If natural or legal persons do not submit the objects and documents requested by the person
directing the proceedings during the term specified by such person directing the proceedings,
the person directing the proceedings shall conduct a withdrawal or search in accordance with
the procedures laid down in this Law.
(3) The heads of legal persons have a duty to perform a documentary audit, inventory, or
departmental or service examination within the framework of the competence thereof and upon
a request of the person directing the proceedings, and to submit documents, within a specific
term, together with the relevant additions regarding the fulfilled request.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 76
(4) [19 January 2006]
(5) If a document or object significant to criminal proceedings is located in any administrative
case, civil case or another criminal case, the person directing the proceedings shall request it
from the holder of the relevant case. The original of a document or object shall be issued only
temporarily for conducting of an expert-examination, but in other cases a certified copy of a
document or image of an object shall be issued.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 14 January 2010]
Section 191. Storage of Data located in an Electronic Information System
(1) The person directing the proceedings may assign, with a decision thereof, the owner,
possessor or keeper of an electronic information system (that is, a natural or legal person who
processes, stores or transmits data via electronic information systems, including a merchant of
electronic communications) to immediately ensure the storage, in an unchanged state, of the
totality of the specific data (the retention of which is not specified by law) necessary for the
needs of criminal proceedings that is located in the possession thereof, and the inaccessibility
of such data to other users of the system.
(2) The duty to store data may be specified for a term of up to thirty days, but such term may
be extended, if necessary, by an investigating judge by a term of up to thirty days.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010]
Section 192. Disclosure and Issue of Data Stored in an Electronic Information System
(1) During the pre-trial criminal proceedings an investigator with the consent of a prosecutor or
a data subject and a prosecutor with the consent of a higher-ranking prosecutor or a data subject
may request, that the merchant of an electronic information system disclose and issue the data
to be stored in the information system in accordance with the procedures laid down in the
Electronic Communications Law.
(2) During the pre-trial criminal proceedings the person directing the proceedings may request
in writing, on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge or with the consent of a data
subject, that the owner, possessor or keeper of an electronic information system disclose and
issue the data stored in accordance with the procedures provided for in Section 191 of this Law.
(3) In trying a criminal case, a judge or the court panel may request that a merchant of electronic
communications discloses and issues the data to be stored in accordance with the procedures
laid down in the Electronic Communications Law or that the owner, possessor or keeper of an
electronic information system disclose and issue the data stored in accordance with the
procedures provided for in Section 191 of this Law.
[14 January 2010]
Section 193. Expert-examination
An expert-examination is an investigative action performed by one or several experts
under the assignment of the person directing the proceedings, and the content of which is the
study of objects submitted to the expert-examination for the purpose of ascertaining facts and
circumstances significant to criminal proceedings, regarding which the conclusion of the expert
is provided.
Section 194. Grounds for Determining an Expert-examination
(1) An expert-examination shall be determined in cases where the conducting of a study is
necessary wherein special knowledge in a sector of science, technology, art, or craftsmanship
is to be used in order to ascertain matters significant to criminal proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 77
(2) An expert-examination shall be determined as soon as possible if the traces removed in the
case are quick to vanish or unstable, or the object to be studied may perish or get damaged.
[20 June 2018]
Section 195. Mandatory Expert-examinations
[20 June 2018]
Section 196. Additional Expert-examination
(1) An additional expert-examination shall be determined if the person directing the
proceedings agrees to the conclusion of an expert, yet there are uncertainties or deficiencies, or
additional questions have arisen.
(2) The same expert may be assigned to perform the additional expert-examination.
Section 197. Repeated Expert-examination
(1) A repeated expert-examination shall be determined if the person directing the proceedings
doubts the conclusion of an expert essentially due to invalidity, substantial deficiencies, or
allowed errors of a methodical nature, as well as if the insufficient qualification or
incompetence of the expert has been determined, or if substantial violations of the procedures
for conducting an expert-examination have been allowed.
(2) Another expert of a commission of experts shall be assigned to conduct a repeated
examination, placing the same objects of research, and the conclusion of the initial expert-
examination, at the disposal of the expert or commission. The expert who conducted the initial
expert-examination may be present during the conducting of the repeated expert-examination,
without participating in the research.
Section 198. Expert-examination of a Commission of Experts
(1) An expert-examination of a commission of experts shall usually be determined in order to
conduct the following:
1) an expert-examination, if the loss of the object to be studied, or substantial changes
that exclude the possibility of a repeated study, are intended as a result of such expert-
examination;
2) an expert-examination for identifying persons;
3) an expert-examination regarding an error of a medical practitioner in providing
medical treatment.
(2) The head of an expert-examination institution may assign a commission of experts to
perform any expert-examination.
(3) A commission from experts who do not work in one expert-examination institution shall be
established by the person directing the proceedings, with a decision thereof, or by the head of
expert-examination institution, notifying thereof the person directing the proceedings.
(4) All the members of a commission of experts shall sign an expert-examination conclusion of
the commission, but if there is disagreement among such members, each of the experts shall
give his or her own conclusion.
[12 March 2009]
Section 199. Complex Expert-examinations
(1) A complex expert-examination shall be determined, if, in order to ascertain matters
significant to criminal proceedings, one object or several objects are to be investigated by
experts of various sectors.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 78
(2) Experts who conduct a complex expert-examination shall provide a joint conclusion.
(3) An expert who does not agree with a joint conclusion may provide a separate conclusion.
Section 200. Decision to Determine an Expert-examination
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall take a decision to determine an expert-
examination.
(2) A decision to determine an expert-examination shall indicate the following:
1) the reasons and grounds for the determination of the expert-examination;
2) the conditions that apply to the object to be studied;
3) the expert-examination institution, or the given name and surname of an expert of
such institution, who has been assigned the performing of the expert-examination;
4) the assignment put forth for the expert, and the questions to be solved;
5) the materials transferred to the expert;
(3) In subjecting a living person to an expert-examination, a decision shall indicate his or her
personal data.
(4) If an expert of an expert-examination institution conducts or participates in an investigative
action under the assignment of the person directing the proceedings and removes objects
subjected to further research, the person directing the proceedings may assign the same expert
or the same expert-examination institution to conduct the expert-examination of such objects,
recording such assignment and questions to be solved in the minutes of the investigative action.
If necessary, the person directing the proceedings may assign additional questions to the expert-
examination, and submit additional materials.
[18 February 2016]
Section 201. Conducting of an Expert-examination in an Expert-examination Institution
(1) In assigning an expert-examination institution the conducting of an expert-examination, the
decision on determination thereof, the objects to be studied, and the necessary case materials
shall be submitted to the head of such institution.
(2) If a decision does not indicate a specific expert to whom the conducting of an expert-
examination is to be assigned, or if an expert-examination institution whose expert participated
in or conducted an investigative action conducts an expert-examination under the assignment
of the person directing the proceedings, the head of the expert-examination institution shall
determine the expert, and notify the person directing the proceedings regarding such expert.
(3) The head of an expert-examination institution is not entitled to give an expert binding
instructions that may influence the results of research and the essence of a conclusion, or to
independently request additional materials, except medical documents, necessary for an
examination without co-ordination with the person directing the proceedings.
Section 202. Executor of an Expert-examination – Invited Expert
(1) In assigning the conducting of an expert-examination to an expert who does not work at an
expert-examination institution, the person directing the proceedings shall select a specialist and:
1) verify regarding his or her character and competence;
2) ascertain that there are no obstacles that might prevent him or her from conducting
the expert-examination;
3) submit to the expert a decision to determine the expert-examination, the object to be
studied, and all the necessary materials;
4) explain to him or her the rights and duties of an expert;
5) notify him or her regarding the liability for refusing to conduct an expert-examination
and for consciously providing a false conclusion;
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6) if necessary, explain the procedures for drawing up an expert-examination
conclusion.
(2) An expert shall certify with the signature thereof that he or she has been familiarised with a
decision. The reports and applications of the expert that the person directing the proceedings
may reject with a decision thereof shall be noted in the same place.
(3) The person directing the proceedings shall ensure the transfer of all objects of an expert-
examination to an expert, ensuring, if necessary, the presence of the person subjected to the
expert-examination.
(4) The assignment of the person directing the proceedings given to an expert shall
simultaneously impose a duty on the employer of the expert to not create obstacles for
conducting the expert-examination.
Section 203. Expert Conclusion
(1) An expert shall give a written conclusion, which he or she shall certify with the signature
thereof.
(2) An expert shall indicate the following in a conclusion:
1) his or her given name and surname;
2) the position to be held;
3) information regarding his or her qualification;
4) the decision or assignment with which the expert-examination was determined;
5) the date of the conducting of the expert-examination;
6) the persons present;
7) the used case materials, and the initial data of the object studied;
8) the methods used in the research, and the acquired results;
9) the reasoned answers to assigned questions, or the reasons due to which an answer is
not possible;
10) other conditions significant to criminal proceedings, which the expert has
ascertained on the basis of the initiative thereof.
(3) If an expert cannot give a specific and firm answer to a question, a conclusion regarding the
possibility of the fact to be ascertained shall be allowed. The expert shall indicate the degree of
certainty of such possibility, if such degree may be scientifically justified.
(4) Images and other objects or materials shall be attached to the conclusion of an expert.
Section 204. Use of Compulsory Measures in Conducting an Expert-examination
(1) In order to ensure a court psychiatric or psychological expert-examination of a detained
person, suspect, or accused, or the conducting of an expert-examination related to an
examination of his or her body, compulsory measures may be used, if necessary.
(2) A court psychiatric or psychological expert-examination of a witness, victim, or a person
against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated, or an expert-examination related to an
examination of his or her body, may be conducted by force only with a decision of an
investigating judge, and only in the case where the conditions to be proven in criminal
proceedings cannot be ascertained without such expert-examination.
Section 205. Report On the Impossibility of Providing an Expert Conclusion
If an expert verifies, before the commencement of a study, that he or she will not be able
to answer the questions assigned in a decision because he or she does not have the relevant
special knowledge, the relevant research methods, or the objects of research are insufficient or
of poor quality, or due to other substantial circumstances, he or she shall write a reasoned
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 80
decision on such circumstances, which he or she shall transfer to the person directing the
proceedings.
Section 206. Samples Necessary for a Comparative Study
In order to ensure an expert with the possibility to answer assigned questions, the person
directing the proceedings may take, or assign the expert to take, samples necessary for a
comparative investigation that reflect the characteristics and features of the object of study of
the expert-examination.
Section 207. Persons from whom Samples for a Comparative Study are Taken
(1) Samples for a comparative study may be taken from a person against whom criminal
proceedings have been initiated, detained person, suspect, accused, or a person against whom
criminal proceedings are taking place regarding the determination of compulsory measures of
a medical nature.
(2) In order to ascertain whether traces on objects, or circumstances significant in criminal
proceedings, have arisen as a result of the activities of other persons, samples may also be taken
from such persons, interrogating such persons accordingly as victims or witnesses.
[24 May 2012]
Section 208. Procedures for Taking Samples Necessary for a Comparative Study
(1) The person directing the proceedings or an expert under the assignment thereof may take
samples necessary for a comparative study.
(2) When commencing the taking of the samples necessary for the comparative study from a
person, the performer of the investigative action shall ask him or her to voluntarily provide
samples for the comparative study or let them be taken, and explain to the person that samples
may be taken also by force. If samples necessary for a comparative study are taken from a
person with the consent thereof, such taking shall be recorded in conformity with the provisions
of Section 142 of this Law.
(3) The taking of samples necessary for a comparative study, if such samples are not obtained
from a person, shall be conducted as a separate investigative action. Such taking may also be
conducted during the course of another investigative action, compulsorily recording the
relevant operations in the minutes.
[27 September 2018]
Section 209. Taking of Samples by Force Necessary for a Comparative Study
(1) The samples necessary for comparative study may be taken by force only from a person
who has the right to defence.
(2) The samples necessary for comparative study may be taken from a witness or victim by
force only based on a decision of the investigating judge. In emergency cases where samples
necessary for a comparative study may be destroyed or damaged due to a delay, the person
directing the proceedings may take such samples by force with the consent of a prosecutor. The
person directing the proceedings shall notify the investigating judge of such taking by force not
later than on the next working day after conducting of the investigative action, presenting the
materials that justified the necessity and emergency thereof, as well as the minutes of the
investigative action. The judge shall examine the legality and validity of the investigative
action.
[27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 81
Chapter 11 Special Investigative Actions
Section 210. Provisions for Performing Special Investigative Actions
(1) The special investigative actions provided for in this Chapter shall be performed if, in order
to ascertain conditions to be proven in criminal proceedings, the acquisition of information
regarding facts is necessary without informing the person involved in the criminal proceedings
and the persons who could provide such information.
(2) Persons directing the proceedings, or the institutions and persons under the assignment
thereof, shall perform special investigative actions based on a decision of an investigating
judge. If the use of the means and methods of an investigative action are necessary for the
enforcement of such action, the performance of such operation shall be assigned only to State
institutions specially authorised by law (hereinafter in this Chapter – the specialised State
institution).
(3) The performance of a special investigative action shall be permitted only in investigating
less serious, serious or especially serious crimes.
[12 March 2009]
Section 211. Information Acquired as a Result of Special Investigative Actions
(1) During the course of a special investigative action, only information acquired in connection
with less serious, serious or especially serious crimes shall be recorded that:
1) is necessary for ascertaining conditions to be proven in criminal proceedings;
2) indicates the committing of another criminal offences, or the conditions of the
committing thereof;
3) is necessary for the prevention of immediate and significant threats to public security.
(2) The person directing the proceedings, his or her involved persons, a prosecutor, and the
investigating judge who supervises special investigative actions shall implement all the
necessary measures in order not to allow the gathering and use of information that is not in
conformity with the purposes specified in Paragraph one of this Section.
[12 March 2009]
Section 212. Permission for the Performance of Special Investigative Actions
(1) Special investigative actions shall be performed on the basis of a decision of an investigating
judge, except in cases determined in this Chapter.
(2) A decision of an investigating judge shall not be necessary if all the persons who will work
or live in the publicly inaccessible location during the performance of a special investigative
action agree to the performance of such operation.
(3) Within the meaning of this Chapter, locations that one may not enter, or wherein one may
not remain, without the consent of the owner, possessor, or user are publicly inaccessible.
(4) In emergency cases, the person directing the proceedings may commence special
investigative actions by receiving the consent of a prosecutor, and, not later than on the next
working day, a decision of an investigating judge.
[12 March 2009]
Section 213. Decision to Perform a Special Investigative Action
(1) An investigating judge shall take the decision to perform a special investigative action after
reasoned proposal of the person directing the proceedings, and the materials of the criminal
case, have been examined.
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(2) The decision shall indicate the special investigative action, the institutions or persons to
which the conduct of such action has been assigned, the purpose and allowed duration for the
conduct thereof, and all other conditions that have significance in ensuring of the action to be
conducted, including the permit to imitate participation in committing a criminal offence or
participation in the form of a supporter.
(3) The duration of a special investigative action to be performed in a publicly inaccessible
location shall not exceed 30 days. An investigating judge may extend such term, if there are
grounds for such extension.
[12 March 2009]
Section 214. Consequences of Violating the Procedures for Receiving Permission
(1) If the person directing the proceedings has not complied with the procedures for receiving
permission specified in this Section, the evidence acquired as a result of a special investigative
action shall not be used in the evidence process.
(2) If a special investigative action has been commenced in accordance with the procedures
provided for in Section 212, Paragraph four of this Law, an investigating judge shall decide on
the justification of the commencement of such investigative action, as well as the necessity for
continuing such operation, if such operation has not been completed. If the investigative action
was not justified, or was performed illegally, the judge shall decide on the admissibility of the
acquired evidence, and on the actions with withdrawn objects.
Section 215. Types of Special Investigative Actions
(1) The following special investigative actions shall be performed in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter:
1) control of legal correspondence;
2) control of means of communication;
3) control of data in an automated data processing system;
4) control of the content of transmitted data;
5) audio-control of a site or a person;
6) video-control of a site;
7) surveillance and tracking of a person;
8) surveillance of an object;
9) a special investigative experiment;
10) the acquisition in a special manner of the samples necessary for a comparative study;
11) control of a criminal activity.
(2) In order to perform the investigative actions provided for in Paragraph one of this Section,
or to arrange the technical means necessary for the ensuring thereof, the entering of publicly
inaccessible places shall be permitted if an investigating judge has permitted such entering with
a decision thereof.
[12 March 2009]
Section 216. Recording of Special Investigative Actions
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall write up minutes if he or she performs a special
investigative action by himself or herself.
(2) If the specialised State institution performs a special investigative action, a representative
thereof shall write an account, and submit such account, together with the materials obtained as
a result of such operation, to the person directing the proceedings.
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(3) If another person performs a special investigative action under the assignment of the person
directing the proceedings, such person shall submit an account in writing to the person directing
the proceedings, and submit to him or her the materials obtained as a result of such operation.
(4) A performer of a special investigative action shall do everything possible so that the facts
of interest to the investigation are recorded with technical means.
(5) The person directing the proceedings shall inform the institution that has jurisdiction in the
investigation of another criminal offence regarding information that indicates the relevant
criminal offence or the circumstances of the committing thereof.
(6) The person directing the proceedings or a specialised institution shall immediately notify
the State security institutions of the information necessary for the prevention of immediate and
significant threats to public security.
Section 217. Correspondence Control
(1) Postal institutions, or persons who provide consignment delivery services, shall perform
control of a consignment placed under the liability thereof, without information of the sender
and addressee, based on a decision of an investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that
the consignment contains or may contain information regarding facts included in the
circumstances to be proven, and if the acquisition of necessary information is impossible or
hindered without such operation.
(2) Postal institutions or persons who provide consignment delivery services shall inform the
official referred to in a decision on the fact that a consignment subjected to control is at the
disposal of such official. Officials shall familiarise themselves with the contents of a
consignment immediately, but not later than within 48 hours from the moment of the receipt of
information, and shall decide on the withdrawal of such consignment, or the further delivery
thereof with or without the copying, photographing, or other recording of the content thereof.
In all cases, an official shall write up a consignment inspection protocol in the presence of a
representative of the deliverer.
(3) A consignment shall be withdrawn only if there are grounds to believe that during the
proving process the original thereof will have substantially larger significance than a copy or a
visual recording.
(4) If a consignment is withdrawn or a withdrawn consignment is transferred to the addressee
or deliverer with a substantial delay, he or she shall be informed of the reasons for the delay of
the consignment and the grounds for the control, without harming the interests of criminal
proceedings, insofar as possible.
(5) [17 May 2007]
[17 May 2007]
Section 218. Control of Means of Communication
(1) The control of telephones and other means of communications without the knowledge of
the members of a conversation or the sender and recipient of information shall be performed,
on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the
conversation or transferred information may contain information regarding facts included in
circumstances to be proven, and if the acquisition of necessary information is not possible
without such operation.
(2) The control of telephones and other means of communication with the written consent of a
member of a conversation, or the sender or recipient of information, shall be performed if there
are grounds to believe that a criminal offence may be directed against such persons or the
immediate family thereof, or also if such person is involved or may be enlisted in the
committing of a criminal offence.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 84
Section 219. Control of Data Located in an Automated Data Processing System
(1) The search of an automated data processing system (a part thereof), the data accumulated
therein, the data environment, and the access thereto, as well as the removal thereof without the
information of the owner, possessor, or maintainer of such system or data shall be performed,
on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the
information located in the specific system may contain information regarding facts included in
circumstances to be proven.
(2) If there are grounds to believe that sought data (information) is being stored in a system,
located in another territory of Latvia, that may be accessed in an authorised manner by using
the system referred to in a decision of an investigating judge, a new decision shall not be
necessary.
(3) The person directing the proceedings may request, for the commencement of an
investigative action, that the person who oversees the functioning of a system or fulfils duties
related to data processing, storage or transmission provide the necessary information, ensure
the completeness of the information and technical resources present in the system and make the
data to be controlled unavailable to other users. The person directing the proceedings may
prohibit such person to perform other actions with data subject to control, as well as shall notify
such person of the non-disclosure of an investigative secret.
(4) In a decision on control of data present in an automated data processing system an
investigating judge may allow the person directing the proceedings to remove or store otherwise
the resources of an automated data processing system, as well as to make copies of these
resources.
[12 March 2009]
Section 220. Control of the Content of Transmitted Data
The interception, collection and recording of data transmitted with the assistance of an
automated data processing system using communication devices located in the territory of
Latvia (hereinafter – the control of transmitted data) without the information of the owner,
possessor, or maintainer of such system shall be performed, on the basis of a decision of an
investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the information obtained from data
transmission may contain information regarding facts included in circumstances to be proven.
[12 March 2009]
Section 221. Audio-control or Video-control of a Site
The audio-control of a publicly inaccessible site without the information of the owner,
possessor, and visitors of such site shall be performed, on the basis of a decision of an
investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the conversations, other sounds, or
occurrences taking place at such site, may contain information regarding facts included in
circumstances to be proven. The audio-control or video-control of a publicly inaccessible site
shall be performed only if the acquisition of necessary information is not possible without such
operation.
Section 222. Audio-control of a Person
(1) The audio-control of a person without the information of such person shall be performed,
on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the
conversations, or other sounds, of the person may contain information regarding facts included
in circumstances to be proven, and if the acquisition of necessary information is not possible
without such operation.
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(2) The audio-control of a person with the written consent of such person, on the basis of a
decision of the person directing the proceedings, shall be performed if there are grounds to
believe that a criminal offence may be directed against such person or the immediate family
thereof, or if such person is involved in, or may be enlisted in, the committing of a criminal
offence.
Section 223. Surveillance and Tracking of a Person
(1) Surveillance and tracking of a person without the information thereof shall be performed,
on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that the
behaviour of the person, or his or her contact with other persons, may contain information
regarding facts included in circumstances to be proven, for a term up to 30 days which an
investigating judge may extend, if necessary.
(2) An investigating judge shall indicate in a decision whether the rights are granted to continue
with the surveillance and tracking, for a term of up to 48 hours, of other persons who have been
in contact with a person to be placed under surveillance.
[12 March 2009]
Section 224. Surveillance of an Object or a Site
Surveillance of an object or a site shall be performed, on the basis of a decision of an
investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that information regarding facts included in
circumstances to be proven may be acquired as a result of surveillance.
Section 225. Special Investigative Experiment
(1) A special investigative experiment shall be performed, on the basis of a decision of an
investigating judge, if there are grounds to believe that:
1) a person has previously committed a criminal offence, and is preparing to commit, or
has commenced, the same criminal activities;
2) a specific criminal offence may be interrupted within the framework of initiated
criminal proceedings;
3) information regarding facts included in circumstances to be proven may be obtained
as a result of the experiment, and if the acquisition of necessary information is impossible or
hindered without such activity.
(2) A special investigative experiment creates a situation or conditions, characteristic of the
daily activities of a person, that promote the disclosure of criminal intent, and records the
actions of the person in such conditions.
(3) The provocation of the actions of a person is prohibited, as is the influencing of a person
with violence, threats, or blackmail, or the use of the state of helplessness thereof.
(4) If a special investigative experiment concludes with the public recording of a criminal
offence of a person, a protocol shall be written regarding such recording in the presence of the
person.
Section 226. Acquisition of Comparative Samples in a Special Manner
(1) If the interests of proceedings require that it not be disclosed to a person that suspicions
exist regarding his or her association with the committing of a criminal offence, samples for a
comparative study may be obtained on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge without
informing the relevant person regarding the obtaining thereof.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 86
(2) Samples that may be obtained repeatedly and which have the significance of evidence in
criminal proceedings shall be withdrawn publicly when the need to keep the fact of study secret
has ceased to exist.
(3) Decision of the investigating judge shall not be required, if the comparable samples the
creation of which does not depend on the will of the person are taken in a special way from a
person who has the right to defence.
[27 September 2018]
Section 227. Control of Criminal Activity
(1) If, on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, a separate stage of a single criminal
offence or mutually connected criminal offences is determined, but, in immediately
discontinuing such stage, the opportunity to prevent another criminal offence, or ascertain all
involved persons, especially the organisers and commissioning parties thereof, or all the
purposes of the criminal activity, will disappear, control of the criminal activity may be
performed.
(2) The determent of an interruption of a criminal offence for the purpose of control shall not
be allowed if the complete prevention of the following is not possible:
1) threats to the life and health of people;
2) the spread of substances dangerous to the life of many people;
3) the escape of dangerous criminals;
4) an ecological catastrophe, or irreversible financial loss.
(3) If another special investigative actions must be performed for the purpose of a control of
criminal activity, permission for the performance thereof shall be received in accordance with
general procedure.
(4) Performers of a control shall submit accounts to the person directing the proceedings in
accordance with the course of a special investigative action, but not more rarely than specified
in a decision.
Section 228. Measures for Ensuring Special Investigative Actions
(1) In order to ensure a special investigative action, the officials and persons involved in such
special investigative action may use information and documents specially prepared beforehand,
organisations or undertakings specially established beforehand, imitations of objects and
substances, specially prepared technical means, as well as imitate participation in the
committing of a criminal offence, or participation in the manner of a supporter.
(2) In imitating a criminal activity, it shall not be permitted to threaten the life and health of
people, or to cause any losses, if such losses are not absolutely necessary for the disclosure of
a more serious and more dangerous crime.
(3) A person shall be responsible in accordance with general procedure for the use of the
security measures referred to in Paragraph one of this Section outside of the framework
necessary for the performance of a special investigative action.
Section 229. Use of the Results of Special Investigative Actions in Proving
(1) The protocols, accounts, sound and image recordings, photographs, other results recorded
with technical means, and withdrawn objects and documents or the copies thereof of special
investigative actions shall be used in proving in the same way as the results of other
investigative actions.
(2) If secretly recorded expressions or activities of a person are used in proving, such person
shall compulsorily be interrogated regarding such expressions or activities. When a person is
acquainted with facts that have been acquired without his or her knowledge, such person shall
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 87
be informed regarding the performed secret operation insofar as such operation directly affects
the relevant person.
(3) If a special investigative action was performed without complying with the provision for
receiving permission, the acquired information shall not be used in proving.
[28 September 2005]
Section 230. Use of the Results of Special Investigative Actions for Other Purposes
(1) Evidence obtained as a result of special investigative actions shall be used only in the
criminal proceedings wherein the relevant operations were performed. If acquired information
regarding facts that indicates the committing of another criminal offence, or the circumstances
to be proven in another criminal proceedings, such information may be used as evidence in the
relevant case only with the consent of the prosecutor or investigating judge who supervises
special investigative actions in the criminal proceedings wherein the relevant operation was
performed. Such restriction is not applicable to the use of supporting evidence within the
framework of another criminal proceedings.
(2) A decision of an investigating judge or prosecutor shall not be necessary if information
acquired as a result of special investigative actions is used in order to prevent an immediate and
significant threat to public security.
Section 231. Familiarisation with Materials that are not Attached to a Criminal Case
(1) Accounts regarding special investigative actions, as well as materials recorded with
technical means that a performer has recognised do not have the significance of evidence in
criminal proceedings, shall not be attached to a criminal case, and shall be stored at the
institution that completed the pre-trial proceedings.
(2) A person involved in criminal proceedings who has the right to familiarise himself or herself
with the materials of a criminal case after completion of the pre-trial proceedings may submit
a proposal to an investigating judge, requesting that he or she be familiarised with the
unattached materials.
(3) An investigating judge shall assess a proposal, taking into account the possible significance
of materials in criminal proceedings and the allowed restrictions on human rights, and may
prohibit the opportunity to become familiarised with unattached materials, if such
familiarisation may substantially threaten the life, health, or interests protected by law of a
person involved in criminal proceedings, or if such familiarisation affects only a private secret
of a third person.
(4) The person involved in criminal proceedings who has familiarised with materials unattached
to a criminal case may submit a request to the person directing the proceedings regarding the
attachment of such materials to the criminal case. The request shall be decided in accordance
with the same procedures as other requests submitted after completion of the pre-trial
proceedings.
(5) The same composition of a court shall decide on a request, submitted during a trial, to
become familiar with the materials of a special investigative action unattached to a criminal
case, familiarising itself with the request and the materials of the criminal case, and, if
necessary, requesting explanations from submitter and prosecutor.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 232. Actions with the Results of a Special Investigative Action that do not have the
Significance of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
(1) The prosecutor or investigating judge who supervises special investigative actions in
criminal proceedings shall decide on actions with accounts, audio-recordings and video-
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 88
recordings, photographs, other materials that have been recorded using technical means, and
withdrawn objects and documents and the copies thereof, if the person directing the proceedings
has recognised that such objects and documents do not have the significance of evidence in
criminal proceedings, in such a way that the consequences of injury to human rights are reduced
as far as possible.
(2) The withdrawn documents and objects shall, if possible, be returned to the owners,
informing such owners of the special investigative action insofar as such operation affects such
persons.
(3) Accounts, copies, and materials that were recorded using technical means shall be destroyed,
if it is ascertained that such accounts, copies, or materials do not have the significance of
evidence in criminal proceedings.
(4) In criminal proceedings wherein the persons who are to be held criminally liable have not
been ascertained, actions with the materials referred to in this Section may be decided not earlier
than six months after completion of a special investigative action.
(5) In completed criminal proceedings, actions with such materials may be decided after
completion of the term for appealing a decision.
(6) In criminal proceedings that have been transferred to a court for examination, actions with
the referred to materials shall be decided after entering into effect of the court ruling.
Section 233. Measures for Protecting Information in Criminal Proceedings
(1) Information regarding the fact of the performance of a special investigative action shall,
until the completion thereof, be confidential investigative data regarding the disclosure of which
officials or persons who are involved in the performance thereof shall be responsible in
accordance with the law. A representative who has the right to familiarise himself or herself
with all the materials of a criminal case from the moment of the issuance of prosecution shall
not be familiarised with the documents that apply to a special investigative action until the
completion of such investigative action.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall use all the measures provided for by law in order
to restrict the spread of information that has been acquired as a result of a special investigative
action and that has the significance of evidence in criminal proceedings, if such information
affects a private secret of a person or affects other restricted-access information protected by
law.
(3) Preparation of copies of materials obtained as a result of a special investigative action shall
be allowed only in the cases provided for by law, making a note thereof in the protocol of the
relevant operation.
Section 234. Measures for the Protection of Information Included in Materials not
Attached to a Criminal Case
(1) The methods, techniques, and means for the performance of a special investigative action,
as well as the information acquired as a result thereof that does not have the significance of
evidence in the criminal proceedings in which such operation was performed, or the use of
which in another criminal proceedings is not permitted, or which is not necessary for the
prevention of an immediate and significant threat to public security, shall be a State or
investigative secret, and persons shall be held liable for the disclosure thereof in accordance
with the procedures laid down in The Criminal Law.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall notify the persons who are involved in the
performance of special investigative actions regarding of the liability provided for in Paragraph
one of this Section. If the performance of special investigative actions is the professional duty
of a person, his or her employer shall ensure report.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 89
(3) A prosecutor or investigating judge shall notify persons who are being familiarised with the
materials not attached to a criminal case regarding liability.
(4) In deciding regarding actions with materials not attached to a criminal case, a prosecutor
and investigating judge shall examine whether all person have been notified and whether the
necessary measures have been performed in order to prevent the spread of unjustified
information, and shall assign tasks for the rectification of deficiencies.
Chapter 12 Actions with Material Evidence and Documents
Section 235. Attachment of Material Evidence and Documents to a Case and Storage
Thereof
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall register objects and documents obtained during
the course of investigative actions in the list of material evidence and documents in the criminal
case, if there are grounds to believe that such objects and documents may have the significance
of evidence in the subsequent criminal proceedings.
(2) Objects and documents obtained during the course of investigative actions shall be returned
to the owner or lawful possessor thereof, who shall sign for such objects or documents, making
a note thereof in the list of material evidence and documents if one of the following conditions
exists:
1) it has been established in subsequent proceedings that the relevant objects and
documents do not have the significance of evidence in criminal proceedings; or
2) the necessary investigative actions involving the relevant objects and documents have
been performed and the return thereof to the owner or lawful possessor does not harm
subsequent criminal proceedings.
(3) In returning the objects or documents obtained during the course of investigative actions to
the owner or lawful possessor after performance of the necessary investigative actions in
criminal proceedings, where appropriate, the samples of the necessary objects or copies of
documents shall be kept.
(4) If returning of the originals of documents to the owner or lawful possessor thereof may harm
subsequent criminal proceedings or there are justified suspicions that, after return, they might
be used for the achievement of unlawful objectives, the owner or legal possessor of the
documents shall be given copies of the documents and the originals of documents shall be
attached to the case materials and stored together with the case throughout the storage period
thereof.
(5) The originals of documents permanently stored in the collections of the State Archives shall
be withdrawn during the course of investigative actions only for the performance of a technical
or handwriting expert-examination on the documents, but in other cases certified copies thereof
shall be attached to the case materials.
(6) If the objects or documents obtained during the course of investigative actions have other
significance in the criminal proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall decide on
actions involving the relevant objects and documents in conformity with the requirements of
this Law. The materials, the circulation of which is prohibited by law, shall not be returned.
(7) The Cabinet shall determine the place and procedures for storage of such material evidence,
which may not be returned to the owner or lawful possessor and which may not be stored with
other materials of a criminal case.
(8) In transferring the materials of a criminal case to another person directing the proceedings,
material evidence may be left in storage in the place for storage of the material evidence
determined by the first person directing the proceedings.
[21 October 2010]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 90
Section 236. List of Material Evidence and Documents
The person directing the proceedings shall indicate the following in a list of material
evidence and documents:
1) the name of a piece of material evidence or a document;
2) the date when such material evidence or document was obtained, and the investigative
action wherein such material evidence or document was obtained;
3) storage location;
4) the date and definitive action with the material evidence or document.
Section 237. Storage of Material Evidence
[21 October 2010]
Section 238. Document Storage
[21 October 2010]
Section 239. Terms for the Storage of Material Evidence and Documents
(1) Material evidence and documents shall be stored until a court judgment enters into effect or
the term until which a decision to terminate criminal proceedings may be appealed ends unless
any of the conditions referred to in Section 235, Paragraph two of this Law have been
established.
(2) If there is a dispute regarding rights to a withdrawn object to be settled in accordance with
civil procedures, material evidence and documents shall be stored until a court judgment in a
civil case enters into effect, or a limitation period for a claim sets in.
(3) Material evidence, the long-term storage of which is not possible or the long-term storage
of which causes losses to the State, if they may not be returned to the owner or lawful possessor
thereof, according to a decision of the person directing the proceedings, shall be:
1) realised or destroyed;
2) destroyed if they have been recognised as unfit for use or distribution.
(4) Material evidence, the circulation of which is prohibited by law or which endanger the
environment, shall be transferred to the relevant institutions or destroyed according to a decision
of the person directing the proceedings.
(5) The person directing the proceedings shall send a copy of the decision to dispose or destroy
the material evidence to the owner or lawful possessor of the material evidence, informing him
or her about the right to appeal against the decision in pre-trial criminal proceedings before the
investigating judge. Execution of the decision shall be suspended until examination of the
complaint. Suspending the execution of the decision shall not apply to objects, the long-term
storage of which is not possible. The decision of the investigating judge is not subject to appeal.
(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the disposal and destruction of the material
evidence referred to in Paragraphs three and four of this Section. Where appropriate, before the
disposal or destruction of material evidence, samples of the relevant objects shall be kept.
[21 October 2010]
Section 240. Final Actions with the Material Evidence, Documents, Property Related to
Criminal Offence, as well as Other Withdrawn Objects and Valuables
(1) A decision to terminate criminal proceedings, prosecutor’s penal order, or court ruling shall
indicate what shall be done with material evidence, documents, property related to criminal
offence and other withdrawn objects and valuables, that is:
1) material evidence, documents, other withdrawn objects and valuables shall be
returned to the owners or lawful possessors thereof, but if it is not required to return them to the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 91
owner or lawful possessor, they shall be realised, or if they have no value, they shall be
destroyed;
2) confiscated objects for committing a criminal offence shall be transferred to the State
Revenue Service, but if they have no value, they shall be destroyed;
3) confiscated objects the circulation of which is prohibited shall be transferred to the
relevant institutions or destroyed;
4) confiscated animals and confiscated vehicles shall be transferred to the State Revenue
Service;
5) confiscated property which should not be left in the ownership of the person due to
the committed criminal offence shall be transferred to the State Revenue Service, but if it has
no value, it shall be destroyed;
6) confiscated objects the origin or ownership of which has not been established in the
respective criminal case shall be transferred to the State Revenue Service.
(2) In deciding on return of material evidence to the owner or lawful possessor thereof, action
with the material evidence shall be determined concurrently in case the owner or lawful
possessor will not have removed the relevant evidence within two months from the date when
a notification was sent.
(3) If material evidence must be returned to the owner or lawful possessor thereof, the person
directing the proceedings shall, not later than within 14 days after entering into effect of a
judgment or decision to terminate the criminal proceedings, notify thereof the owner or lawful
possessor of the material evidence and the institution, which ensures storage of the material
evidence.
(4) If the owner or lawful possessor of the material evidence has not removed the relevant
material evidence within two months from the date when a notification was sent, the material
evidence shall be destroyed or realised according to that indicated in the judgment or decision.
(5) If material evidence must be returned to the owner or lawful possessor thereof, however, it
is not possible to do so, the owner shall be compensated with an object of the same sort and the
same quality, or also paid the value that exists at the time of compensation. It shall not apply to
cases when material evidence has been destroyed or realised in accordance with the conditions
of Paragraph four of this Section. The value of the material evidence to be compensated shall
be determined according to the same procedures by which the value of the property subjected
to seizure is determined.
(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the disposal or destruction of material
evidence in the cases determined in Paragraphs one and four of this Section.
(7) [22 June 2017]
[21 October 2010; 20 December 2012; 22 June 2017]
Division Three
Procedural Compulsory Measures and Sanctions
Chapter 13 General Provisions for the Application of Compulsory Measures
Section 241. Grounds for the Application of a Procedural Compulsory Measure
(1) Grounds for the application of a procedural compulsory measure shall be the resistance of
a person to achieving the objective of criminal proceedings in the specific proceedings or to
carrying out a separate procedural action, or failure to fulfil or improper fulfilment of his or her
procedural duties.
(2) A security measure shall be applied as a procedural security measure to a suspect or an
accused if there are grounds to believe that the relevant person will continue criminal activities,
or hinder pre-trial criminal proceedings or court or avoid such proceedings and court.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 92
(3) In making a judgment, a court may apply a security measure to an accused if there are
grounds to believe that he or she may avoid the execution of the judgment. In cases when a
court has applied a punishment of deprivation of liberty for serious or especially serious crime,
a judgement of conviction may be the grounds for selection of security measure – arrest.
[12 March 2009]
Section 242. Procedural Compulsory Measures
(1) In order to ensure criminal proceedings, the rights of a person may be restricted with the
following procedural compulsory measures:
1) detention;
2) placement in a medical institution for the performance of an expert-examination;
3) conveyance by force.
(2) Security measures are also procedural compulsory measures. Such measures may be applied
only to a suspect or accused.
Section 243. Security Measures
(1) The following are security measures:
1) [12 March 2009];
11) notification of the change of the place of residence;
12) reporting to the police authority at a specific time;
2) prohibition from approaching a specific person or location;
3) prohibition from a specific employment;
4) prohibition from departing from the State;
5) residence in a specific place;
6) personal guarantee;
7) bail;
8) placement under police supervision;
9) house arrest;
10) arrest.
(2) The following may also be applied to a minor as a security measure:
1) placement under the supervision of parents or guardians;
2) placement in a social correctional educational institution.
(3) Placement under the supervision of a unit commander (supervisor) may be applied to a
soldier as a security measure.
(4) The security measures referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 1.1– 4 of this Section may also
be applied additionally to any other security measure.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Section 244. Selection of Procedural Compulsory Measures
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall choose a procedural compulsory measure that
infringes upon the basic rights of a person as little as possible, and is proportionate.
(2) In selecting a security measure, the person directing the proceedings shall take into account
the nature and harmfulness of a criminal offence, the character of the suspect or accused, his or
her family situation, health, and other conditions.
(21) Arrest shall be applied to a minor only in cases of absolute necessity after evaluation of the
application of other security measures. When choosing a security measure related to the
deprivation of liberty for a minor, in addition to the conditions referred to in Paragraphs one
and two of this Section the age of the minor and possible risks in relation to the physical, mental
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 93
and social development of the minor, and also his or her ability to integrate into the society
shall be taken into account.
(3) A procedural compulsory measure may not be applied to a victim who is a minor which has
suffered from violation committed by a person from whom the victim is materially or otherwise
dependent, or sexual abuse, as well as to a victim who is a juvenile.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 245. Decision to Apply a Procedural Compulsory Measure
(1) A procedural compulsory measure is applied by the person directing the proceedings or an
investigating judge with a reasoned written decision that indicates:
1) the person to whom the compulsory measure is to be applied;
2) grounds for the application of the procedural compulsory measure;
3) the type of compulsory measure;
4) [19 January 2006];
5) the institution or person to whom the execution of the decision has been assigned;
6) the procedures for the appeal of the decision.
(2) A decision to apply a security measure shall additionally indicate the criminal offence in
connection with the committing of which the security measure is applied to a suspect or
accused.
(3) An investigating judge shall take a decision, during pre-trial proceedings, regarding arrest,
house arrest, the placement of a minor in a social correctional educational institution, or the
placement of a person in a medical institution for the performance of an expert-examination.
(4) A decision to detain a person shall not be taken.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 246. Application of a Procedural Compulsory Measure
(1) In commencing the application of a procedural compulsory measure, the person who applies
such measure shall inform the person to whom the compulsory measure is applied regarding
the taken decision, as well as explains the essence, content, and procedures for appeal of the
compulsory measure, and the consequences of not complying with the compulsory measure.
These provisions shall not apply to conveyance by force.
(2) Prior to taking a decision to apply the security measure which is related to deprivation of
liberty, the person directing the proceedings shall issue to the person who has the right to
defence a copy of the proposal which contains a justification for the selection of the particular
security measure with considerations based on the materials of the case.
[12 March 2009; 23 May 2013]
Section 247. Informing Other Persons Regarding a Procedural Compulsory Measure
(1) If a procedural compulsory measure is related to the deprivation of the liberty of a person,
the person directing the proceedings shall, in conformity with the will and instructions of such
person, immediately but not later than within 24 hours inform the family or other members of
the immediate family of such person, and his or her workplace or place of study, regarding the
application of such measure and the location of the relevant person.
(2) If the compulsory measure referred to in Paragraph one of this Section has been applied to
a minor, the person directing the proceedings shall inform the parents or other close relatives
of legal age of such minor, or the guardian of such minor if the relevant minor is under
guardianship, regarding the application of such security measure. The person directing the
procedures need not inform the abovementioned persons, if it is in contradiction with the
interests of the minor. In such case the person directing the proceedings shall inform another
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person of legal age whom the minor has indicated, or a representative of an institution of
protection of the rights of the child, or a representative of such non-governmental organisation
who carries out the function of protection of the rights of the child, regarding application of the
compulsory measure referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) The person directing the proceedings shall, in conformity with the will of the relevant
person, inform the representative office of the state of a foreigner, with the intermediation of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, regarding the application of the
compulsory measure referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(4) If an application of a specially protected victim has been received in which it is requested
to provide information regarding release or escape of such arrested person from a place of
imprisonment or a place of temporary detention who has inflicted harm to him or her, the person
directing the proceedings shall send the relevant information to the victim as soon as he or she
has become aware of release or escape.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 248. Protection of a Minor, a Dependant, or Property
(1) If, in applying to a person a procedural compulsory measure related to the deprivation of
liberty, a minor, or a person under the guardianship or trusteeship of such person, is left without
supervision and care, the person directing the proceedings shall provide such person with the
opportunity to contact, with the intermediation of controlled communications, a member of the
immediate family or another person regarding the ensuring of supervision and care. If the
person does not have such opportunity, the person directing the proceedings shall inform
authority protecting the rights of children, social institutions, or Orphan’s and Custody Court.
(2) If, in applying to a person a procedural compulsory measure related to the deprivation of
liberty, a property is left without supervision, the person directing the proceedings shall provide
such person with the opportunity to contact, with the intermediation of controlled
communications, a member of the immediate family or another person regarding the ensuring
of the management of the property. If the person does not have such opportunity, upon request
of such person the person directing the proceedings shall, with a decision, temporarily for a
term not longer than three months, assign the protection of the property to the local government
according to the location of the property in order to ensure the person an opportunity to agree
regarding the further management of the property. The procedures for the protection and
transfer of property shall be determined by the Cabinet. The financing for the protection of
property shall be ensured from the funds earmarked from the State budget specially for this
purpose.
(3) If in applying to a person deprivation of liberty associated with a procedural compulsory
measure, without supervision and care remains an animal and the person with the intermediation
of controlled communications has not communicated with a member of the immediate family
or another person regarding the ensuring the supervision and care thereof, as well as has not
requested the person directing the proceedings to ensure the protection of property referred to
in Paragraph two of this Section, the person directing the proceedings shall, with a decision,
entrust the care of the animal left without supervision to the local government according to the
location of the property or for action with such animal according to the procedures laid down
in laws and regulations.
(4) The person directing the proceedings shall inform the person to whom a compulsory
measure has been applied regarding performed measures in writing.
[19 January 2006; 17 May 2007; 12 March 2009; 30 March 2017]
Section 249. Modification or Revocation of a Procedural Compulsory Measure
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(1) If, during the term of the application of a procedural compulsory measure, the grounds for
the application of such measure disappear or change, the provisions for the application of such
measure, or the behaviour of the person, change, or if other circumstances are ascertained that
determine the selection of the compulsory measure, the person directing the proceedings shall
take a decision on modification or revocation of such procedural security measure.
(2) If a person violates the provision of an applied security measure or fails to fulfil his or her
procedural duties, the person directing the proceedings is entitled to select and apply another
more restricting security measure.
(3) A copy of a decision on modification or revocation of a compulsory measure shall be
immediately delivered to the institution or official who ensures the execution thereof, and to
the person to whom such compulsory measure has been applied, but, if a security measure
related to the deprivation of liberty has been applied, also to an investigating judge.
(4) If a previously applied security measure is revoked as a result of examination of a complaint,
a more restricting security measure shall be applied only if new circumstances exist.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010]
Chapter 14 Compulsory Measures not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
Section 250. Conveyance by Force
(1) If a person does not arrive without a justifying reason at a procedural action on the basis of
a summons of the person directing the proceedings, conveyance by force may be applied to
such person in order to ensure the participation thereof in the procedural action.
(2) Conveyance by force may also be applied to a person, against whom the criminal
proceedings have been commenced, a suspect or accused without a previous summons, if his
or her place of residence is unknown or if he or she is hiding from a pre-trial criminal
proceedings and court.
(3) Conveyance by force may be applied to pregnant women or acutely ill persons, if the fact
of such pregnancy or acute illness has been certified by a physician, only if the performance of
a procedural action is not possible at the location of the person, and only with a decision of an
investigating judge or court.
[12 March 2009]
Section 251. Procedures for Conveyance by Force
(1) Conveyance by force is applied with a decision of the person directing the proceedings that
indicates who shall be conveyed, the official to whom such person shall be conveyed, and when
and for what purpose such person shall be conveyed, as well as the police institution to which
the conveyance by force has been assigned.
(2) Having found the person to whom conveyance by force must be applied, a police employee
shall familiarise such person, in return for a signature, with a decision, deliver the relevant
person to the official referred to in the decision, and record in the decision the time when such
delivery was performed.
(3) If conveyance by force may not be applied, or if the person to be conveyed has not been
found, a police employee shall record such fact in a decision, which shall be given to the person
directing the proceedings.
Section 252. Report of the Address for the Receipt of Consignment
[12 March 2009]
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Section 252.1 Notification of the Change of the Place of Residence
Notification of the change of the place of residence is a written obligation of a suspect
or accused to notify the person directing the proceedings without delay, but not later than within
one working day regarding change of the place of residence, indicating the new address of the
place of residence.
[24 May 2012]
Section 252.2 Reporting to the Police Authority at a Specific Time
Reporting to the police authority at a specific time is a duty imposed by a decision of
the person directing the proceedings on a suspect or accused to report to the police authority
according to his or her place of residence.
[24 May 2012]
Section 253. Prohibition for Approaching a Specific Person or Location
(1) Prohibition from approaching a specific person is a restriction upon a suspect or accused,
provided for with a decision of the person directing the proceedings, from being located closer
than the distance referred to in a decision from the relevant person, from having physical or
visual contact with such person, and using means of communication, or techniques for
transferring information, in order to make contact with such person.
(2) A prohibition from approaching a specific location is a restriction, provided for with a
decision of the person directing the proceedings, upon a suspect or accused from visiting the
relevant location, or being located closer than the distance referred to in the decision.
(3) Approaching a specific person or location shall not be recognised as a violation of the
prohibition referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, if such approaching takes
place within the framework of criminal proceedings, fulfilling the instructions of the person
directing the proceedings.
Section 254. Prohibition on Specific Employment
(1) A prohibition on specific employment is a restriction upon a suspect or accused, specified
with a decision of the person directing the proceedings, from performing a specific type of
employment (activities) for a time, or from execution of the duties of a specific position (job).
(2) A decision on a prohibition on specific employment shall be sent for execution to the
employer of a person, or to another relevant authority.
(3) The decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is mandatory for any official, and
shall be fulfilled within three working days after the day of the receipt thereof. An official shall
notify the person directing the proceedings regarding the commencement of the execution of a
decision.
Section 255. Prohibition on Departure from a State
A prohibition on departure from a state is a restriction, specified by a decision of the
person directing the proceedings, upon a suspect or accused to depart from a state without the
permission of the person directing the proceedings.
[24 May 2012]
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Section 256. Residence in a Specific Place
Residence in a specific place is a written obligation of a suspect or accused to reside
during the time indicated and at the place specified by the person directing the proceedings or
to not leave the specifically indicated place of residence or temporary residence for longer than
24 hours without the permission of the person directing the proceedings, as well as to arrive
without delay on the basis of a summons of the person directing the proceedings, or to fulfil
other criminal-procedural duties.
[24 May 2012]
Section 257. Bail
(1) A bail is a monetary sum, specified with a decision of the person directing the proceedings,
that has been transferred to the depository (storage) of a credit institution specified by the person
directing the proceedings in order to ensure the arrival of a suspect or accused on the basis of a
summons of the person directing the proceedings, and the execution of other procedural duties
specified in the Law.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall determine the amount of a bail, considering the
nature of the criminal offence and the harm caused by such offence, the financial status of a
person, as well as the type and measure of a punishment specified in the Law. If decision of the
person directing the proceedings regarding a security measure is appealed, the amount of a bail
may be determined by an investigating judge.
(3) A bail may be paid by the person to whom such security measure has been applied, as well
as by any other natural person or legal person. If a bail is paid by another person, the person
directing the proceedings shall inform such person regarding the essence of the specific criminal
proceedings in connection with which such security measure has been applied, and shall explain
the consequences that will come about if such security measure is not complied with.
(4) A person who has paid a bail shall submit a document certifying payment to the person
directing the proceedings, as well as a written notice regarding origin of the bail containing
information regarding the persons who have granted the resources for paying the bail, and the
amount of the money granted. The documents submitted shall be appended to the criminal case.
(5) If a suspect or accused does not fulfil procedural duties or commits a new intentional
criminal offence, a bail shall be paid to the State budget with a decision of the person directing
the proceedings, but in other cases of the modification or revocation of a security measure, such
bail shall be returned to the provider thereof.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 258. Personal Guarantee
(1) A personal guarantee is a written obligation with which a natural person in accordance with
the decision of the person directing the proceedings on application of a security measure
guarantees that a suspect or accused will arrive on the basis of a summons of the person
directing the proceedings, and will fulfil other procedural duties.
(2) As a personal guarantor may be a natural person who has expressed such desire and
regarding which the person directing the proceedings is in confidence that he or she can ensure
fulfilment of obligations. There shall be not less than two personal guarantors.
(3) In accepting a bail, the person directing the proceedings shall inform the guarantors
regarding the essence of the specific criminal proceedings in connection with which a security
measure has been applied, and shall explain the consequences that will come about if the
provisions of such security measure are not complied with.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 98
(4) If the provisions of a security measure are violated, a fine shall be applied on a guarantor,
with a decision of an investigating judge or a court decision, in the amount of 10 to 30 of the
minimal monthly wage specified in the Republic of Latvia.
[12 March 2009]
Section 259. Placement of a Soldier under the Supervision of a Unit Commander
(Supervisor)
(1) The placement of a soldier under the supervision of a unit commander (supervisor) is a
written obligation of the unit commander (supervisor), in accordance with a decision of the
person directing the proceedings, regarding the application of a security measure to ensure that
a suspected or accused soldier will arrive on the basis of a summons of the person directing the
proceedings, and fulfil other procedural duties.
(2) The placement of a soldier under the supervision of a unit commander (supervisor) shall be
applied only with the consent of the unit commander (supervisor), and he or she may withdraw
from the supervision of the soldier at any time.
(3) In receiving a written obligation from a unit commander (supervisor) regarding the taking
of a soldier under supervision, the person directing the proceedings shall inform him or her
regarding the essence of the specific criminal proceedings in connection with which such
security measure has been applied, as well as his or her liability.
(4) If a suspect or accused does not fulfil his or her obligations, the unit commander (supervisor)
under the supervision of whom he or she is located, an investigating judge, or the court may
apply a fine up to the amount of 10 of the minimal monthly wage specified in the Republic of
Latvia.
Section 260. Placement of a Minor under the Supervision of Parents or Guardians
(1) The placement of a minor under the supervision of parents or guardians is a written
obligation of one person or several of such persons, in accordance with a decision of the person
directing the proceedings, regarding the application of a security measure to ensure that the
suspected or accused minor will arrive on the basis of a summons of the person directing the
proceedings, and fulfil other procedural duties.
(2) Placement under the supervision of parents or guardians shall be applied only with the
consent of such persons and the minor himself or herself.
(3) In placing a minor under the supervision of parents or guardians, the person directing the
proceedings shall inform such persons regarding the essence of the specific criminal
proceedings in connection with which a security measure has been applied, and shall explain
the consequences that will come about if the provisions of such security measure are not
complied with.
(4) Parents or guardians may withdraw from the supervision of a minor at any time, if such
persons are not able to ensure the proper behaviour of the minor.
(5) If a suspect or accused, who is a minor does not fulfil his or her procedural duties, an
investigating judge or a court may apply a fine of up to the amount of 10 of the minimal monthly
wage specified in the Republic of Latvia upon the persons under whose supervision the minor
is located.
Section 261. Placement under Police Supervision
(1) Placement under police supervision is the relocation and the restriction of the discretionary
power of a suspect or accused with the provision that the relevant person shall not change his
or her permanent or temporary place of residence without the permission of the person directing
the proceedings, visit the locations or institutions referred to in the decision, meet with the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 99
persons referred to in the decision, that such person shall be located in his or her place of
residence during specific hours of the day, and that he or she shall declare himself or herself
not more than 3 times per week at the police institution according to the place of residence
thereof. Restrictions shall be determined taking into account the work or study conditions of a
suspect or accused.
(2) A decision to apply a security measure shall be sent for execution to the police institution
in the territory of which the person resides.
(3) A police institution shall immediately register a person to be supervised and inform the
person directing the proceedings regarding the taking of such person under supervision.
(4) In order to examine the conformity of a person with the restrictions on freedom of movement
and discretionary power, police employees have the right to visit the person at the place of
residence indicated in the decision at the front door of the place of residence. The person has
an obligation to open the front door of the place of residence during the examination and to be
at the front door within the view of the police employee until the end of the examination.
(5) In order to examine the conformity of a person with the restriction on freedom of movement
– prohibition from meeting the persons referred to in the decision –, a police employee has the
right to enter and the person has a duty to allow the police employee to enter his or her
permanent or temporary place of residence (apartment, house).
[24 May 2012]
Section 262. Appeal of a Decision to Apply a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation
of Liberty
(1) During pre-trial proceedings, a decision taken by the person directing the proceedings on
the following may be appealed:
1) prohibition from approaching a specific person or location;
2) prohibition on a specific employment;
3) prohibition on departure from the State;
4) amount of a bail;
5) placement under police supervision, but only in relation to restrictions on movement
and action indicated in the decision;
6) duty to report to the police authority at a specific time;
7) residence at a specific place.
(2) The decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section may be appealed only then, if a
person to whom a security measure has been applied may justify that the provisions of such
security measure cannot be fulfilled. A complaint may be submitted to an investigating judge
by the person himself or herself, the defence counsel or representative thereof, within seven
days after receipt of a copy of the decision to apply the security measure.
(3) An investigating judge shall examine a complaint in a written procedure within three
working days. If necessary, the judge shall request court materials, and explanations of the
person directing the proceedings or the submitter of the complaint.
(4) An investigating judge may, with a decision thereof, reject a complaint or assign the person
directing the proceedings to modify an applied security measure or the provisions thereof within
three working days, or determine the amount of a bail.
(5) A copy of a decision taken by an investigating judge shall be sent to the person directing
the proceedings, the person to whom the relevant security measure has been applied, and the
submitter of the complaint. The decision shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 100
Chapter 15 Compulsory Measures Related to the Deprivation of Liberty
Section 263. Detention
Detention is the deprivation of the liberty of a person, for a period of time of up to 48
hours, without a decision of an investigating judge, if conditions for detention exist.
Section 264. Conditions of Detention
(1) A person may be detained only if there are grounds for the assumption regarding the
committing of a criminal offence regarding which a punishment of deprivation of liberty may
be applied, and if one of the following provisions exists:
1) the person was surprised precisely at the moment of the committing of a criminal
offence, immediately afterwards, or also in escaping from the location where the criminal
offence was committed;
2) a person shall be indicated as the perpetrator of a criminal offence by a victim or
another person who saw the event or directly acquired such information in another way;
3) clear traces of the committing of the criminal offence have been found on the person
himself or herself, in the premises in the usage thereof, or in other objects;
4) traces left by such person have been found at the location where the criminal offence
was committed;
5) [17 May 2007].
(2) If conditions for detention exist, but a punishment of deprivation of liberty may not be
applied regarding a committed criminal offence, a person may be detained if there are reliable
grounds to believe that the arrival thereof on the basis of a summons of the person directing the
proceedings will not be able to be ensured because:
1) the person refuses to provide information regarding his or her identity, and the
identity thereof has not been ascertained;
2) the person does not have a specific place of residence and place of employment;
3) the person does not have a permanent place of residence in Latvia, and such person
may attempt to depart from the State.
(3) If there are grounds to believe that a serious or especially serious crime has been committed,
a person who is a vagrant in and hides in the site of the committing of the offence or in the
vicinity thereof, and who does not have a specific place of residence and place of employment,
may also be detained, if there are grounds to the assumption regarding the connection thereof
with the committed offence.
(4) Taking into account the conditions of this Section, during one criminal proceedings, a person
shall be detained only one time.
[17 May 2007; 20 December 2012]
Section 265. Detention Procedures
(1) In detaining a person upon initiative of an employee of the State Police, an employee of an
investigating institution, or a prosecutor, or under the assignment of the person directing the
proceedings, such employee or prosecutor shall immediately inform such person regarding for
what such person is being detained, and shall notify such person that he or she has the right to
remain silent, and that everything that such person says may be used against him or her.
(2) If there are grounds to believe that a person to be detained has a weapon, or that he or she
may destroy, throw away, or hide a piece of evidence located with such person, the official who
performs the detention may perform a search of the person to be detained in conformity with
the provisions of Section 183, Paragraph two of this Law, indicating such search in the detention
protocol of the person.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 101
(3) If there is a clear connection between a person and a committed criminal offence regarding
which a punishment of deprivation of liberty may be applied, and such person is located at the
location where the criminal offence was committed or flees from such site, or if a search for the
person regarding the committing of such criminal offence has been announced, such person
may be detained by anyone and shall immediately be transferred to the nearest police employee.
(4) In detaining an official of the Ministry of the Interior system institution, the person directing
the proceedings shall without delay inform the relevant head of the Ministry of the Interior
system institution.
[17 May 2007; 20 December 2012]
Section 266. Procedural Drawing-Up of Detention
(1) The official who has performed the detention of a person shall immediately write a detention
protocol at the site of the detention of the person or after transfer of the detained person to
detention premises. A protocol shall indicate:
1) who has performed detention, when, and where;
2) the criminal offence regarding which the detention has taken place;
3) who has been detained and why;
4) the condition of the detained person, his or her external appearance, and his or her
complaints regarding health;
5) his or her clothing;
6) whether or not a search of the person has been conducted, and what was found;
7) what documents, objects, money, and other valuables the detained person has;
8) the explanation provided by the detained person.
(2) A detained person shall be familiarised with a protocol, the rights of a detained person shall
be explained to him or her, and he or she shall sign regarding such explanation in the protocol.
(3) An investigating institution shall immediately transfer a detention protocol to the person
directing the proceedings, and a copy of the detention protocol shall be sent to a prosecutor
within 24 hours.
(4) Notations regarding subsequent activities – the release of the detained person or the
application of a security measure – shall be made in a detention protocol.
[28 September 2005]
Section 267. Execution of Detention
(1) Detention is the grounds for restricting the rights of a person and permits to hold a person
in specially equipped premises of the police, determining restrictions on meeting and
communication, except meeting with a defence counsel, but for a foreigner – also with a
representative of the diplomatic or consular representation of his or her country. A decision of
an investigating judge or of a court shall not be required for restricting the rights of a person.
(2) A special law shall determine the procedures for the holding of a detained person.
[18 February 2016]
Section 268. Term of Detention
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall without delay, but not later than within 48 hours,
decide on the recognition of the detained person as a suspect or an accused and regarding the
application of a security measure.
(2) After recognition of the detained person as a suspect or an accused and interrogation, if it is
necessary, the person directing the proceedings shall without delay decide on the release of such
person from a temporary place of detention if a security measure has been applied, which is not
related to the deprivation of liberty.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 102
(3) If the detained person has been recognised as a suspect or an accused in case of necessity
interrogated, but the security measure selected by the person directing the proceedings is related
to the deprivation of liberty of the person, the person may be located in a temporary place of
detention up to the conveyance of the person to an investigating judge, taking into account the
specified restriction of 48 hours from the moment of the actual detention.
(4) If the detained person is recognised as a suspect or an accused, then in order to ensure his
or her conveyance to the prosecutor or to the court for the completion of criminal proceedings,
the person may be located in a temporary place of detention, taking into account the specified
restriction of 48 hours from the moment of the actual detention.
[17 May 2007; 20 June 2018]
Section 269. Release of a Detained Person
(1) A detained person shall be immediately released, if:
1) suspicions have not been confirmed that such person has committed a criminal
offence;
2) it has been ascertained that grounds and conditions for the detention did not exist;
3) the application of a security measure related to deprivation of liberty to the detained
person is not necessary;
4) the term of detention specified by law has expired;
5) an investigating judge has not applied a security measure related to deprivation of
liberty;
(2) In releasing a detained person, a copy of the detention protocol that indicates the grounds
and date of release shall be issued to such detained person.
Section 270. Detention of Suspected Persons, Accused or Persons against whom the
Proceedings for the Determination of Compulsory Measures of a Medical
Nature are Taking Place
(1) A suspected person or accused may be detained in order to deliver him or her to the person
directing the proceedings if a search for him or her has been proclaimed in relation to the
commitment of such a criminal offence in respect of which a punishment of deprivation of
liberty is provided for, and a security measure related to the deprivation of liberty has not been
applied to such person.
(2) In order to ensure that a suspected person, accused or person against whom the proceedings
for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature are taking place is delivered
to an investigating judge, the investigator or prosecutor may detain such persons if:
1) a proposal regarding the application of such a security measure that is related to the
deprivation of liberty has been prepared;
2) a decision has been taken on determination of an expert-examination and a proposal
regarding the placement of the person in a medical treatment institution for the making of an
expert-examination has been prepared; or
3) a proposal has been prepared to place in a psychiatric hospital the person against who
the proceedings for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature are taking
place.
(3) In the cases referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the fact of the detention of a
suspected person or accused shall be notified without delay to the institution of the person
directing the proceedings and it shall, not later than within 12 hours, ensure the delivery of the
detained person to the person directing the proceedings. If the person directing the proceedings
prepares a proposal regarding the application of such a security measure which is related to the
deprivation of liberty, the person shall be delivered to an investigating judge without delay, but
not later than within 24 hours from the moment of the actual detention.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 103
(4) In the cases referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, the detained person shall be
delivered to an investigating judge without delay, but not later than within 12 hours. For the
person who is detained according to the procedures laid down in Paragraph two of this Section,
during the detention investigative actions may not be performed, except interrogation regarding
the circumstances, which are important in order to decide the issue of the application or
modification of compulsory measures.
(5) Detention, which is performed in the cases determined in this Section, shall be completed
in conformity with the requirements of Section 266 of this Law. If the detention is performed
in the case provided for in Paragraph one of this Section, the detention protocol shall indicate
also the fact who has proclaimed the search for the person. If the detention is performed in the
case provided for in Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Section, and the detained person has
previously been detained according to the procedures of Section 264 of this Law, another
detention protocol need not be written, but in the protocol which has been drawn up regarding
detention according to the procedures of Section 264 of this Law, an annotation shall be
included regarding the fact from which moment the person is considered to be detained
according to the procedures of this Section.
[17 May 2007; 20 December 2012]
Section 271. Arrest
(1) Arrest is the deprivation of the liberty of a person that may be applied in the cases provided
for by law to a suspect or an accused with a decision of an investigating judge, or a court ruling,
before the entering into effect of a final ruling in specific criminal proceedings, if there are
grounds for placing under arrest.
(2) The application of arrest shall be the grounds for a restriction on the rights of a person, and
shall allow the holding of the person in an investigation prison or in specially equipped police
premises.
(3) An investigating judge or a court may determine additionally the restrictions on meetings,
except meetings with a defence counsel or a representative of the diplomatic or consular
representation of the state of the foreigner, and communication for a detained person, assessing
the proposals of an investigator or prosecutor and hearing the views of the person arrested.
(4) A special law shall determine the procedures for holding under arrest.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 272. Grounds for Placing under Arrest
(1) Arrest may be applied only if specific information, acquired in criminal proceedings,
regarding facts causes justified suspicions that a person has committed a criminal offence
regarding which the law provides for a punishment of deprivation of liberty, and the application
of another security measure may not ensure that the person will not commit another criminal
offence, will not hinder or will not avoid the pre-trial criminal proceedings, court, or the
execution of a judgment.
(2) Arrest may also be applied to a person being held on suspicion of or accused of committing
of an especially serious crime if:
1) the crime was directed against a person’s life or a minor, or a person who was or is
financially dependent or dependent in another manner on the suspect or accused, or a person
who was not able to protect his or her interests due to age, illness, or other reasons;
2) the person is a member of an organised criminal group;
3) one of the conditions referred to in Section 264, Paragraph two, Clause 1 or 2 of this
Law has been determined;
4) the person does not have a permanent place of residence in Latvia.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 104
(3) Arrest may be applied to a person being held on suspicion of or accused of committing of
an intentional crime within the probationary supervision period.
(4) Grounds for arrest may be a judgement of a court on the committing of a serious or
especially serious crime for which a punishment of deprivation of liberty has been adjudicated.
[12 March 2009; 20 December 2012]
Section 273. Grounds for the Application of Arrest to Minors, Pregnant Women, and
Women in the Post-natal Period
(1) The provisions of Section 272 of this Law shall apply, with the exceptions stipulated in such
Section, to minors, pregnant women, and women in the post-natal period up to one year, and,
if a woman is breastfeeding a child, during the entire term of feeding.
(2) If a person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is held suspect or accused of
committing a criminal offence, arrest shall not be applied.
(3) If a person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is held suspect or accused of
committing a crime through negligence, arrest shall not be applied, except the case when such
person has performed actions under the influence of intoxicating substances as a result of which
the death of another person has occurred.
(4) If a person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is held suspect or accused of
committing of a less serious intentional crime, arrest shall be applied only if one of the
following circumstances exists:
1) the relevant person has violated the provisions of another compulsory measure or a
security measure of correctional nature – placement in a social correctional educational
institution;
2) the person has committed a crime as a suspect or an accused in the committing of an
especially serious crime.
[20 December 2012]
Section 274. Procedures for the Application of Arrest
(1) An investigating judge shall decide on the application of arrest in pre-trial proceedings and
until commencement of trial in a court of first instance by examining a proposal of the person
directing the proceedings, but until the commencement of a trial– a proposal of a prosecutor,
hearing the views of the relevant person, as well as examining case materials and assessing the
reasons and grounds for placing under arrest.
(2) A submitter of a proposal, the person whose arrest is being decided, the defence counsel and
representative thereof shall participate in examination of a proposal. A supervising prosecutor
may participate in examination of a proposal. The proposal may be examined without the
presence of the person regarding whose arrest is being decided if in accordance with a
physician’s conclusion the participation thereof is not permissible and if the defence counsel of
the person participates in the relevant procedural activity.
(3) If a submitter of a proposal may prove that the relevant person avoids and hides from an
investigation, criminal prosecution or if a person is detained or arrested in a foreign country, a
matter may be decided in the absence of such person. The participation of a defence counsel
summoned to provide legal assistance is mandatory.
(4) An investigating judge shall take one of the following decisions in a closed court hearing,
the course of which shall be recorded in minutes:
1) a refusal to apply arrest;
2) a refusal to apply arrest, but a decision to apply house arrest;
3) a refusal to apply arrest, but a decision to apply placement in a social correctional
educational institution;
4) a decision to apply arrest;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 105
5) a decision to apply arrest and to determine the search for a person.
(41) If an investigating judge withdraws arrest applied earlier in cases provided for in
Section 41, Paragraph two of this Law or refuses to apply arrest, he or she shall decide on the
application of another security measure.
(5) An investigating judge shall justify arrest, or the application of another security measure, in
a decision with specific considerations based on case materials.
(6) If an investigating judge does not agree to a proposal of the person directing the proceedings
and refuses the application of arrest, his or her decision shall also indicate the motives for the
refusal.
(7) After announcement of a decision of an investigating judge, the court shall immediately
issue a copy of the complete decision or a copy of the introductory and operative part of the
decision to the persons present at the court and within 24 hours – a copy of the complete
decision. The court shall, without delay, provide a written translation of the complete decision
to the suspect or the accused who does not know the language in which the decision has been
written into the language that he or she understands. Upon application of a security measure
related to deprivation of liberty the court shall immediately provide information on the
maximum number of months for which the liberty of the person may be restricted during pre-
trial proceedings.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 23 May 2013]
Section 275. Substitution of Arrest with a Bail
(1) If an investigating judge or a higher-level court judge determines that the grounds indicated
in Section 272 of this Law exist for the application of arrest, yet there also exist conditions that
testify regarding the possibility to apply a bail, and if a person who conducts defence so
requests, the investigating judge may determine a term for arrest for one month, simultaneously
determining that arrest may be revoked if the person pays the bail specified by the judge within
such term. A higher-level court judge is entitled to replace arrest with a bail only then, if the
defence has requested it to an investigating judge.
(2) If a bail is paid within one month, and if a document certifying payment, as well as a written
notice regarding the origin of the bail paid containing information regarding the persons who
have granted resources for payment of the bail, and the amount of the money granted is
submitted to an investigating judge, the judge shall take a decision on change of security
measure. On the basis of such decision, a person shall be immediately released from arrest.
(3) If a bail is not paid, the matter regarding an extension of the term of arrest shall be decided
in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 274 of this Law.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 276. Application of Arrest after Commencement of a Trial
After commencement of a trial, the court that examines the case shall apply arrest upon
its initiative or on the basis of a proposal of a prosecutor, complying with the provisions of
Sections 272 – 275 of this Law.
[19 January 2006]
Section 277. Terms of Arrest
(1) A person may be held under arrest only so long as is necessary for the ensuring of the normal
progress of proceedings, but not longer than is allowed for by this Law for the criminal offence
indicated in a decision to recognise such person as a suspect or the holding of such person
criminally liable.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 106
(2) The total term of holding under arrest shall include the term that a person has spent in
detention, under arrest, or in another location of the execution of a compulsory measure related
to deprivation of liberty, but shall not include the term that a person has spent under arrest in
another state in connection with the transfer of criminal proceedings or the extradition of such
person.
(3) The term of arrest during pre-trial proceedings shall include the term referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section up to the transfer of the case to the court chancellery, but the term of arrest
during a trial shall be counted from the drawing up of the full ruling of a court of first instance.
If an appellate or cassation court has revoked a judgment of conviction and sent the case for an
examination de novo in a court of first instance, the time period from pronouncement of a ruling
of the appellate or cassation court until drawing up of a full ruling of the court of first instance
shall also be included in the term of arrest.
(4) The term of arrest for a person who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of a
criminal violation shall not exceed 30 days, of which the person shall be permitted to be held
under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than 20 days.
(5) The term of arrest for a person who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of a less
serious crime shall not exceed nine months, of which the person shall be permitted to be held
under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than four months.
(51) The term of arrest for a person who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of a less
serious crime against sexual inviolability and morals, if it has been committed against a minor,
shall not exceed 12 months, of which the person shall be permitted to be held under arrest during
pre-trial proceedings not longer than six months. The investigating judge in pre-trial
proceedings and a higher-level court judge during a trial may extend the term by one more
month, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for unjustified delay, or if the
person who conducts defence has intentionally delayed the progress of proceedings, or if the
faster completion of proceedings has not been possible due to the particular complexity thereof.
(6) The term of arrest for a person who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of a
serious crime shall not exceed 12 months, of which the person shall be permitted to be held
under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than six months. Both an investigating judge
in pre-trial proceedings and a higher-level court judge during a trial may extend the term by
three more months, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for unjustified delay,
or if the person who conducts defence has intentionally delayed the progress of proceedings, or
if the faster completion of proceedings has not been possible due to the particular complexity
thereof.
(7) The term of arrest for a person who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of an
especially serious crime shall not exceed 24 months, of which the person shall be permitted to
be held under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than 15 months. Both an
investigating judge in pre-trial proceedings and a higher-level court judge during a trial may
extend the term by three more months, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed
for unjustified delay, or if the person who conducts defence has intentionally delayed the
progress of proceedings, or if the faster completion of proceedings has not been possible due to
the particular complexity thereof. A higher-level court judge may extend such term by three
more months, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for unjustified delay, and
public security may not be guaranteed with the application of another security measure.
(8) The issue of extending the term of arrest shall be examined by a judge of a higher level court
in a closed court hearing, providing an opportunity for the person whose arrest is being decided,
his or her defence counsel and representative, as well the prosecutor to express their views. The
decision cannot be appealed.
(9) If a person to whom a security measure related to deprivation of liberty commits a new
criminal offence during criminal proceedings, regarding which the law provides for a
punishment of deprivation of liberty, arrest may be applied to such person as a security measure.
In such cases, the term of arrest shall be determined as for a new criminal offence.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 107
(10) A person arrested shall be immediately released if the term of arrest exceeds the maximum
term determined in The Criminal Law for a punishment of deprivation of liberty that a court
may impose regarding the criminal offence regarding the committing of which such person has
been accused, but after judgment of conviction – if the punishment imposed by the court has
expired.
(11) If the procedural decision has an impact on the term of arrest, the person directing the
proceedings shall notify thereof the institution in which a person is held under arrest and the
person who has been applied the security measure related to deprivation of liberty.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 20 December 2012;
23 May 2013]
Section 278. Terms of Arrest for Minors
(1) The term of arrest for a minor who has been applied arrest in conformity with Section 273,
Paragraph four of this Law shall not exceed 30 days, of which the minor shall be permitted to
be held under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than 20 days.
(2) The term of arrest for a minor who has been applied arrest in conformity with Section 273,
Paragraph three of this Law shall not exceed three months, of which the minor shall be permitted
to be held under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than two months.
(3) The term of arrest for a minor who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of a serious
crime shall not exceed six months, of which the minor shall be permitted to be held under arrest
during pre-trial proceedings not longer than three months. An investigating judge during pre-
trial proceedings and a judge of a higher level court may each extend the term for one month
during trial, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for a delay, or the faster
completion of the proceedings has not been possible due to the particular complexity of such
proceedings.
(4) The term of arrest for a minor who is suspected of, or accused of, the committing of an
especially serious crime shall not exceed 12 months, of which the minor shall be permitted to
be held under arrest during pre-trial proceedings not longer than eight months. An investigating
judge during pre-trial proceedings and a judge of a higher level court may each extend the term
for three months during trial, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for an
unjustified delay, or the person who conducts defence has not intentionally delayed the course
of proceedings, or the faster completion of the proceedings has not been possible due to the
particular complexity of such proceedings.
[20 December 2012]
Section 279. Terms of Arrest for Suspects
(1) A suspect shall be held under arrest until being held criminally liable for not longer than
half of the term of arrest allowed for in pre-trial proceedings.
(2) A supervising prosecutor may permit an investigating institution to exceed the term referred
to in Paragraph one of this Section, yet by not longer than half of the remaining term of arrest
during pre-trial proceedings specified in Sections 277 and 278 of this Law.
[20 December 2012]
Section 280. Repeated Proposal Regarding the Application of Arrest
If an investigating judge has not applied arrest, the person directing the proceedings may
repeatedly propose such matter if:
1) a new prosecution regarding the committing of a more serious criminal offence has
been brought against, and issued to, a person;
2) a person has violated the provision of an applied security measure;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 108
3) evidence has been acquired regarding attempts to illegally influence a person
testifying;
4) a person has destroyed or has attempted to destroy traces of a criminal offence;
5) materials obtained in a pre-trial criminal proceedings cause justified suspicions that
a person has committed an intentional criminal offence, or intends to evade a pre-trial criminal
proceedings or court.
[12 March 2009]
Section 281. Control over the Application of Arrest
(1) [19 January 2006]
(2) A person arrested, his or her representative or defence counsel may, at any time, submit an
application to an investigating judge or – after commencement of a trial– to a court of first
instance regarding an assessment of the necessity of a subsequent application of arrest. The
application shall be examined, and a decision taken by the investigating judge in accordance
with the procedures laid down in Section 274 of this Law, but by a court – in a court hearing in
accordance with the procedures by which the submitted requests are decided.
(3) An application for an assessment of the necessity of a subsequent application of arrest may
be refused without an examination thereof in oral proceedings, if less than two months have
passed since the last assessment of the necessity of the application of arrest, and the application
is not justified with information on the facts that were not known to the investigating judge or
court when deciding on the application of arrest or during the previous examination of the
application. A court of first instance shall examine an application in a written procedure without
participation of persons involved in the procedure.
(4) If, concerning the applied arrest, a person arrested, or his or her representative or defence
counsel has not submitted, within two months, an application regarding an assessment of the
necessity of a subsequent application of arrest, such assessment shall be performed by an
investigating judge. A court of first instance shall, after commencement of trial of a case,
perform the assessment when the trial is suspended or an interruption is announced for a term
more than two months.
(5) An application regarding cancellation or amending of arrest, or an assessment of the
necessity of a subsequent application of arrest after transfer of a case to the appellate court until
the commencement of trial may be submitted only then if:
1) such health or family conditions have arisen which may be the grounds for
cancellation or amending of arrest, and such facts are attested by documents;
2) the commencement of trial of a case is specified for a time, which is more than two
months after receipt of the case in a court.
(51) The application referred to in Paragraph five of this Section shall be examined by a judge
of the court of appeals in a written procedure within three working days. Examination of the
application shall not be the grounds for the submission of a recusation to a judge.
(52) If, after commencement of the trial of a case, the trial of a case on the court of appeals is
suspended or an interruption is announced for a term more than two months, the court of appeals
shall concurrently assess the necessity of a subsequent application of arrest.
(6) The decisions provided for in this Section shall not be subject to appeal.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 20 June 2018]
Section 282. House Arrest
(1) House arrest is the deprivation of liberty of a person that may be applied with a decision of
an investigating judge, or a court ruling to a suspect or accused before the entering into effect
of a final ruling in specific criminal proceedings, if there are grounds for the application of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 109
arrest, yet the holding under arrest of the person is not desirable or not possible due to special
circumstances.
(2) A person may be held under house arrest in the permanent place of residence thereof, if the
persons of legal age living together with the relevant person agree to such house arrest in the
permanent place of residence.
(3) House arrest shall be applied, complaints regarding the application thereof shall be
examined, and control over the application thereof shall be performed in accordance with the
same procedures as regarding arrest.
(4) An investigating judge or a court shall, after assessment of a proposal of the investigator or
prosecutor and listening to the opinion of a person held under house arrest, as well as taking
into account the nature of the criminal offence, the reasons for application of a security measure
and special circumstances why house arrest has been applied, determine:
1) the address where a person shall reside during house arrest;
2) restrictions on meetings, except meetings with a defence counsel and persons living
at the relevant address, and communication;
3) control of correspondence and conversations;
4) the necessity of guarding at the particular address, as well as during movement of a
person to a place of occurrence of the procedural actions.
(5) If necessary, a person held under house arrest may be protected, control over the restriction
specified for such person may be assigned to the police, and the correspondence and means of
communications of person living together with such person may be subjected to control.
(6) Terms of arrest shall be applied to house arrest, and the time spent under house arrest shall
be recognised as time spent under arrest, in accordance with the determined in The Criminal
Law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 283. Placement in a Medical Institution for the Performance of an Expert-
examination
(1) A suspect, accused, or the person in relation to whom proceedings have been initiated for
the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature may be forcibly placed in a
medical institution for the performance of an expert-examination, if the research necessary in a
forensic or court psychiatric expert-examination for the solving of matters significant to the
case can be performed only under medical in-patient conditions.
(2) A person may be placed in a medical institution for the performance of an expert-
examination, on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge or court decision, only if a
decision has also been taken on determination of the relevant expert-examination.
(3) Placement in a medical institution for the performance of an expert-examination shall be
applied, complaints regarding the application thereof shall be examined, and control over the
application thereof shall be performed in accordance with the same procedures as regarding
arrest. The participation of a person in the deciding of a matter related to a procedural
compulsory measure shall be compulsory, except the case when according to a decision of a
physician (expert) such participation is not allowed or not recommended due to the health
condition of the person, and if the defence counsel of the person participates in the respective
procedural action.
(4) The restrictions provided for in Section 271, Paragraph three of this Law may be applied to
a person placed in a medical institution.
(5) It may be indicated in a decision on placement of a person in a medical institution, that a
security measure selected previously shall remain in force after an expert-examination.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 110
Section 284. Term Spent in a Medical Institution for the Performance of an Expert-
examination
(1) A person placed forcibly may be located in a medical institution for the term necessary for
the performance of an expert-examination, yet not longer than the maximum term of arrest in
pre-trial proceedings specified for the relevant criminal offence category.
(2) The term spent in a medical institution for the performance of a compulsory expert-
examination shall also be included in the term of arrest if arrest has not been selected as a
security measure for a person.
Section 285. Placement of a Minor in a Social Correctional Educational Institution
(1) The placement of a minor in a social correctional educational institution is the deprivation
of liberty of a person that may be applied with a decision of an investigating judge, or a court
ruling before the entering into effect of a final ruling in specific criminal proceedings, if the
holding under arrest of a suspect, or an accused, who is a minor is not necessary, yet there is
insufficient conviction that the minor will fulfil his or her procedural duties, and will not commit
new criminal offences, while at liberty.
(2) Placement in a social correctional educational institution shall take place in accordance with
the same procedures, with the same conditions, up until the same terms, and with the same
procedures for appeal and control as in the case of arrest. The term spent in the social
correctional educational institution shall be included as time spent under arrest, counting one
day spent in the institution as one day spent under arrest.
Section 286. Appeal of an Application of a Compulsory Measure Related to Deprivation
of Liberty
(1) In pre-trial proceedings and until the commencement of trial in a court of first instance, a
person to whom a compulsory measure, excluding detention, related to deprivation of liberty
has been applied, the representative or defence counsel thereof, and a prosecutor may submit a
complaint regarding a decision of an investigating judge within seven days after receipt of a
copy of a decision taken on application of such compulsory measure or a refusal to apply such
security measure. The judge shall send his or her decision to a regional court together with the
submitted complaint not later than the next working day.
(2) If an investigator submits a proposal regarding the application of a compulsory measure,
but an investigating judge has refused the application thereof, the investigator may submit a
complaint regarding a decision of the investigating judge only with the consent of the
supervising prosecutor.
(3) If a compulsory measure related to the deprivation of liberty is applied to a person after
commencement of trial, and the next court hearing is not provided for during the next 14 days,
such person, or the representative or defence counsel thereof, may appeal this decision to a
higher-level court submitting a complaint to the court which took the decision.
(4) If a compulsory measure related to deprivation of liberty is applied to a person in the absence
thereof, such person has the right to appeal the relevant decision within seven days from the
moment when such person learned of the application of the compulsory measure.
(5) If a compulsory measure related to deprivation of liberty is applied to a person who does
not know the official language, the term intended for appealing of the ruling shall be counted
from the date on which the translation of the decision in a language comprehensible to such
person was issued to him or her.
[12 March 2009; 23 May 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 111
Section 287. Procedures for Examination of Complaints
(1) A judge of a higher level court shall examine a complaint regarding the application of a
compulsory measure related to the deprivation of liberty, or regarding a refusal to apply such
security measure, in a closed court hearing within seven days from the day of the receipt of the
relevant decision and complaint.
(2) A complaint shall be examined giving the person to whom a compulsory measure has been
applied a possibility to express his or her opinion, as well as listening to the representative or
defence counsel thereof. A judge may request the necessary case materials. If a court has not
decided regarding the compulsory measure, the person directing the proceedings shall also be
listened to.
(3) A judge shall take one of the following decisions:
1) to reject a complaint and leave an appealed decision in effect;
2) to satisfy a complaint, revoke an appealed decision, and, accordingly, apply a
compulsory measure proposed by the person directing the proceedings or refuse the application
thereof.
(4) A judge shall substantiate the taking of a decision in his or her decision, indicating the
reasons and grounds specified in this Law or the non-existence thereof. A copy of a decision
shall be sent within 24 hours to the person to whom the security measure being decided has
been applied, the person who submitted the complaint, the institution which fulfils the decision,
as well as the investigating judge, if a decision taken by him or her has been appealed. The
decision together with a complaint shall be sent to the person directing the proceedings.
(5) A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 16 Procedural Sanctions
Section 288. Concept of Procedural Sanctions
Procedural sanctions are compulsory measures that the person directing the proceedings
or an investigating judge may apply to a person who does not fulfil the procedural duties
provided for by law, interferes with the performance of a procedural action, or does not show
respect to the court.
Section 289. Grounds for the Application of Procedural Sanctions
(1) A procedural sanction regarding the following may be applied to a person involved in
criminal proceedings or another person:
1) the non-execution of a procedural duty provided for by law and specified by the
person directing the proceedings;
2) disturbing the progress of a procedural action;
3) repeated failure to arrive, without a justifying reason, on the basis of a summons of
the person directing the proceedings;
4) failure to notify regarding inability to arrive on the basis of a summons of the person
directing the proceedings, if such ability existed;
5) delay of a person involved in criminal proceedings in fulfilling his or her procedural
duty.
(2) The application of procedural sanctions shall not discharge a person from the execution of
a procedural duty, as well as shall not exclude the possibility of applying the procedural
compulsory measure provided for by law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 112
(3) If the content of an administrative violation or a criminal offence is at the disposal of a
person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, such person may be held administratively
liable or criminally liable.
Section 290. Types of Procedural Sanctions
(1) The following procedural sanctions may be applied to a person who has violated the
procedures laid down in the law:
1) a warning;
2) a fine;
3) expulsion from the court room;
(2) Only a warning may be applied to an advocate and prosecutor, but, in other cases, the
Council of Sworn Advocates or the Prosecutor General, accordingly, shall be notified regarding
a violation thereof.
Section 291. Warning
(1) The person directing the proceedings may issue a warning to a person who interferes with
the procedures laid down in criminal proceedings, or who treats the execution of his or her
procedural duty carelessly.
(2) A warning may be issued orally or in writing.
Section 292. Fine
A fine up to the amount of one minimal monthly wage specified in the Republic of
Latvia may be applied upon a person who interferes with the procedures laid down in criminal
proceedings or ignores the requirements of the person directing the proceedings, if this Law
does not specify otherwise.
Section 293. Application of a Fine
(1) An investigator or prosecutor who has determined an interference with procedures or a
procedural violation shall write a protocol regarding such interference or violation, and shall
immediately send such protocol to the investigating judge for the taking of a decision to apply
a fine. If the fact of the violation is certified by the documents, they shall be attached to a
protocol.
(2) After receipt of a protocol, the investigating judge shall take the decision not later than on
the next working day and shall send its copy to the person on whom a fine has been imposed
without delay, and also to the person directing the proceedings, if a fine has not been imposed.
(3) If a violation is found during a court hearing, the chairperson of the court hearing shall
define the nature of the violation, which shall be entered in the minutes of the court hearing,
notify the operative part of the decision to impose a procedural sanction, and explain to the
punished person his or her right to receive a copy of the entire decision in court not later than
on the next working day, as well as his or her right to submit a request, within 10 days, for the
release from payment of the fine or reduction of its amount.
(4) A decision of the investigating judge and court shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 113
Section 294. Examination of a Request Regarding Release from Payment of a Fine or
Reduction of the Amount Thereof
(1) A person upon whom a fine has been applied may, within 10 days after receipt of a copy of
the decision to apply a fine, request that he or she is released from payment of the fine or the
amount thereof is reduced. A request for the decision of the investigating judge shall be
submitted to the chairperson of the district (city) court, and for a court decision – to the same
court which imposed the fine.
(2) A request shall be examined within 10 days in a written procedure. The decision taken shall
not be subject to appeal.
[24 May 2012]
Section 295. Fulfilment of a Fine
(1) If a person upon whom a fine has been applied has not submitted a request to release from
payment of the fine or to reduce the amount thereof, or if the submitted request has been
rejected, such person has a duty to voluntarily pay such money within 10 days after notification
of the decision or rejection of the request.
(2) In the case of a voluntary non-execution of a decision, such decision shall be sent to a sworn
bailiff for compulsory execution.
(3) A fine applied on an official shall be paid by him or her from his or her personal funds.
[24 May 2012]
Section 296. Expulsion from a Court Room
(1) The chairperson of a court hearing may expel from the court room a person who interferes
with procedures during the court hearing and does not fulfil an order of the judge. A note
regarding such expulsion shall be made in the minutes of the court hearing.
(2) An accused and a victim may be expelled from a court room with a decision of the court, if
he or she repeatedly and substantially interferes with procedures. In the case of an expulsion of
an accused, a court hearing may be continued if a court decides that the participation of an
accused in the court hearing is not compulsorily necessary, and, in addition, only so long as
there are grounds to believe that the accused may continue to interfere with procedures in the
court hearing.
(3) A fine may be applied to a person, except an accused, simultaneously with expulsion from
a court room.
[12 March 2009]
Section 297. Consequences of Expulsion from a Court Room
(1) If an accused, or victim, who has been expelled from a court room is allowed to continue
participating in a court hearing, the chairperson of the court hearing shall acquiant such person
with the procedural actions that have been fulfilled during the term of the expulsion thereof.
(2) If an accused who does not have a defence counsel is expelled from a court room, he or she
shall be ensured with the opportunity to participate in court debates. In all cases, he or she shall
be given the opportunity to say the last word.
(3) A decision on expulsion from a court room may be appealed only together with an appeal
of a final ruling made by a court.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 298. Appeal of an Expulsion from a Court Room
[19 January 2006]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 114
Division Four
Special Procedural Protection
Chapter 17 Special Procedural Protection
Section 299. Content of Special Procedural Protection
Special procedural action is the protection of the life, health, and other lawful interests
of a victim, witness, and other persons who testify or have testified in criminal proceedings
regarding serious or especially serious crimes, as well as of a minor who testifies regarding the
crimes provided for in Sections 161, 162, and 174 of The Criminal Law, and of a person the
threat to whom may influence the referred to persons (hereinafter in this Chapter – the
threatened person).
Section 300. Reason and Grounds for Special Procedural Protection
(1) The grounds for special procedural protection shall be a real threat to the life, health or
property of a person, expressed real threats, or information that provides sufficient grounds for
the person directing the proceedings to believe that a threat may be real in connection with the
testimony provided by such person.
(2) A written submission of a threatened person, or the representative or defence counsel
thereof, if a threatened person agrees to it and a proposal of the person directing the proceedings
shall be the grounds for the determination of special procedural protection.
[12 March 2009]
Section 301. Procedures for Examination of a Submission Regarding Determination of
Special Procedural Protection
(1) A written submission regarding the necessity to determine special procedural protection
shall be submitted to the person directing the proceedings.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall:
1) ascertain whether grounds exist for the special procedural protection of a person;
2) examine the personal identity of a submitter, and other conditions;
3) decide on the necessity to determine special procedural protection, or regarding
rejection of a received submission.
(3) If the person directing the proceedings recognises the determination of special procedural
protection as necessary, he or she shall submit the proposal thereof to the Prosecutor General
for the taking of a decision to determine special procedural protection.
(4) During trial of a case, a threatened person shall submit a submission regarding the
determination of special procedural protection to the court, which shall examine such
submission itself or assign a prosecutor to examine such submission.
Section 302. Proposal of the Person directing the proceedings regarding the
Determination of Special Procedural Protection
A proposal of the person directing the proceedings regarding the determination of
special procedural protection shall indicate:
1) the given name, surname, personal identity number (or, if such number does not exist,
the year and date of birth), citizenship, place of residence and employment, education, marital
status, dependents, and information regarding the criminal record of the threatened person;
2) the content and date of receipt of the submission;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 115
3) the results of an examination of the submission, and materials that certify the
necessity to determine special procedural protection;
4) conclusions regarding the necessity to determine special procedural protection.
[12 March 2009]
Section 303. Recognition of a Person as Requiring Special Procedural Protection
(1) Having become familiarised with a submission, a proposal of the person directing the
proceedings, and materials of criminal case, and, if necessary, having listened to a threatened
person, and the representative or defence counsel thereof, the Prosecutor General shall take a
decision to determine special procedural protection, or, with a decision thereof, shall refuse to
determine special procedural protection for a person.
(2) If a person has submitted to a court a submission regarding the necessity to determine special
procedural protection for him or her, the court shall take a decision to determine such protection.
The court may also take such decision upon its initiative, if the necessity has come about, during
the process of trial, to put a person under special procedural protection, and the person has
agreed to such protection.
(3) If the hiding of the identity of a person is necessary, a decision of the Prosecutor General
shall indicate that the identity data of the person shall be substituted with a pseudonym.
(4) If a decision provides for the hiding of the identity of a person, the person directing the
proceedings shall rewrite all the documents, previously written in the criminal proceedings,
wherein the identity of such person has been recorded, changing only the identity data of the
person as provided for by the decision. The originals of the documents shall be withdrawn from
the criminal case and stored together with the decision to determine special procedural
protection, and only the persons directing the proceedings in such criminal proceedings and the
prosecutor specially authorised by the Prosecutor General may familiarise themselves with such
documents.
Section 304. Decision to Determine Special Procedural Protection or a Refusal to
Determine such Protection
(1) A decision to determine special procedural protection shall be taken immediately, insofar
as possible, but not later than within 10 days.
(2) A decision shall indicate the institution and official to which the execution of the decision
has been assigned, as well as may indicate the protection measures to be applied.
(3) The decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall not be attached to a criminal
case, but a statement regarding the taking of such decision shall be attached to the criminal case.
(4) In taking a decision to refuse to recognise a person as requiring special procedural
protection, the motivation for the refusal shall indicated.
Section 305. Execution of a Decision on Special Procedural Protection
(1) After taking of a decision, the person directing the proceedings shall:
1) familiarise the person to be protected with the taken decision;
2) explain the right to appeal such decision;
3) explain the rights and duties of the person to be protected;
4) inform the person to be protected whose personal identity data have been substituted
with a pseudonym regarding the use of such pseudonym in procedural documents, and
regarding the fact that the liability in acting with a pseudonym is the same as in acting with his
or her identity data. The person shall sign regarding such informing, and provide a sample
signature of his or her pseudonym.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 116
(2) If only the criminal procedural resources referred to in Sections 308 and 309 of this Law
ensure the special procedural protection of a person, the person directing the proceedings shall
fulfil a decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(3) If measures referred to in a special law also ensure the special procedural protection of a
person, the person directing the proceedings shall send a decision to a special protection
institution for execution, and the execution thereof shall take place in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the special law.
(4) In transferring a criminal case from one person directing the proceedings to another, the
person directing the proceedings in the records of whom the criminal case is located shall
familiarise the new person directing the proceedings with a decision and materials regarding
the determination of special procedural protection.
(5) A decision to determine special procedural protection, the submission of a person, the
examination materials thereof, a proposal of the person directing the proceedings, and other
materials that apply to the determination and actualisation of special procedural protection shall
not be attached to a criminal case, but shall be stored in accordance with the provision for the
storage of documents containing State secrets.
Section 306. Rights and Duties of a Defence Counsel and other Persons
Neither a defence counsel, nor other persons who participate in criminal proceedings
and who have knowledge, in connection with the execution of the procedural duties thereof, of
the determination of special procedural protection have the right to disclose information
regarding a person under special procedural protection, and the measures for the protection of
such person.
Section 307. Rights and Duties of a Protected Person
A person who has been recognised as requiring special procedural protection has the
rights and duties of a protected person specified in a special law.
Section 308. Special Features of the Course of Procedural Actions in Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) A person for whom special procedural protection has been determined shall be summoned
to an interrogation through the intermediation of a special protection institution.
(2) In recording in documents procedural actions wherein a protected person participates for
whom personal identity data has been supplemented with a pseudonym, the person directing
the proceedings shall only indicate a pseudonym in place of the identity data of such person. If
an indication of the address of the receipt of a consignment is necessary, the address of a special
protection institution shall be indicated.
(3) In performing procedural actions wherein several persons participate and wherein the
prevention of the possibility of identifying a person under special procedural protection is
necessary, technical means that do not allow for an identification of such person shall be used.
Persons under protection have the right to not answer questions, if the answers may provide the
opportunity to determine the identity thereof.
(31) An official, who performs protection measures for a person involved in the criminal
proceedings not exceeding his or her powers, has the right to be present in procedural actions
which are performed with a person under special procedural protection.
(4) With the consent of the Prosecutor General, criminal proceedings against an accused for
whom special procedural protection has been determined may be isolated in separate records.
(5) The address of a special protection institution shall be indicated instead of the address of a
person under special procedural protection in the list of persons to be summoned to a court
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 117
hearing. Only the pseudonym of a person whose personal identity data have been substituted
with a pseudonym, and the address of a special protection institution, shall be entered.
[12 March 2009]
Section 309. Special Features of Trial
(1) A criminal case wherein a person has been recognised as requiring special procedural
protection shall be examined in a closed court hearing.
(2) If necessary, a protected person may participate in a court hearing by using technical means,
complying with the procedures laid down in Section 140 of this Law, if the person himself or
herself is located outside of the court room.
(3) A person whose personal identity data have been substituted with a pseudonym in criminal
proceedings has the right to not testify in court, if there are grounds to believe that the security
of such person is threatened. Such person shall not be held criminally liable regarding the
refusal to testify in court. In such case, the testimony provided in pre-trial proceedings by the
person whose personal identity data has been substituted with a pseudonym shall not be read in
a court hearing, and such testimony may not be used as evidence in the case.
(4) If a person whose personal identity data has been substituted with a pseudonym in criminal
proceedings provides testimony in court using technical means in order not to allow for the
possibility of identifying such person, visual or acoustic disturbances shall be created, ensuring
the court with the possibility to see and hear such person without the referred to disturbances.
Persons under protection have the right to not answer questions, if the answers may provide the
opportunity to determine the identity thereof.
(5) If necessary, a person whose identity is being hidden may be interrogated by court in a
separate room, ensuring the ability to hear the provided testimony in the court room, as well as
the possibility to ask the person questions and hear the answers.
(6) If the identity data of a person whose data is being substituted in criminal proceedings with
a pseudonym has been disclosed in a court hearing, the Prosecutor General shall assign, with a
decision thereof, a special protection institution to take the protection measures of such person
specified in a special law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 310. Termination of Special Procedural Protection
(1) The special procedural protection of a person shall be terminated with a decision of the
Prosecutor General, or a court decision, at any moment, if:
1) the grounds for protection have ceased;
2) the person has refused protection; or
3) the actions of the person have made protection impossible.
(2) If a protected person refuses protection, such person shall submit a written submission
regarding such refusal to the person directing the proceedings, who shall transfer such
submission for deciding to the persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) A decision to terminate special procedural protection shall be stored together with other
materials that apply to special procedural protection.
Section 311. Non-utilisation of the Testimony of a Protected Person
If the measures to be taken cannot guarantee the security of a protected person, the
Prosecutor General, or the court that determined protection, shall take the decision, on the basis
of a proposal of the person directing the proceedings, to not use the testimony of such person
as evidence in the criminal case.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 118
Division Five
Procedural Terms and Documents
Chapter 18 Procedural Terms
Section 312. Procedural Term
A procedural term is the term (or moment) specified in accordance with the procedures
provided for in this Law during which (or with the commencement of which) persons involved
in criminal proceedings have a duty or the right to perform specific operations, or to refrain
from the performance of such operations.
Section 313. Commencement of a Procedural Term
(1) If a procedural term determines the performance of a procedural action before or after
another procedural action, or in connection with the entering into effect of an event specified in
this Law, or simultaneously with another procedural action, then such procedural term shall be
related to a specific event, and the provisions for the calculation of terms specified in
Section 314 of this Law shall not apply to such procedural term.
(2) The commencement of a procedural term specified in hours, days, or months shall be
indicated in this Law, but if such commencement has not been indicated, the moment when the
criminal-procedural relations are established on account of which the term is being specified
shall be recognised as the commencement of the term.
(3) The moment when a person involved in proceedings learns of, or, complying with a report
specified by law and made in an appropriate manner, had to learn of, the occurrence of a specific
procedural right or duty shall be recognised as the moment of the establishment of criminal-
procedural relations.
(4) A procedural term intended for appeal of rulings made shall be commenced to count from
a day of availability of a ruling, but in cases when the day of availability is not determined,
from the day when a person involved in proceedings has received a copy of the ruling or a
notification regarding making of the ruling.
(5) In cases when a person involved in proceedings is notified regarding arising of procedural
rights or obligations via post or messenger (courier), the commencement of a procedural term
shall be established in accordance with what is specified in Chapter 22 of this Law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 314. Calculation of Procedural Terms
(1) In calculating a term specified in hours or days, the hour or day on which the term begins
shall not be taken into account. The next hour or day shall be recognised as the beginning of
the calculation of the term. The term shall end by the running out of the last full hour of the
relevant period, if the term has been specified in hours, or by the running out of the last day, if
the term has been specified in days.
(2) A term specified in months shall end on the relevant date of the last month, but if the month
does not have a relevant date, the term shall end on the last date of the relevant month.
(3) If the end of a term does not fall on a working day, the next working day shall be recognised
as the last day of the term.
(4) If a term applies to the deprivation or restriction of the rights of a person, the actual moment
of the deprivation or restriction of rights shall be recognised as the beginning of such term, and
the actual moment (hour or day) of the termination of the term specified in a decision or law
shall be recognised as the end of the term.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 119
Section 315. Operation in Time of Procedural Terms
(1) A term has been observed if a procedural action was performed until the end of the specified
term or if the relevant document was transferred until the end of the specified term to a person
who has the right or is authorised to receive such document, or if the document was transferred
to the post until the end of the specified term, and the fact of transferral was certified
accordingly.
(2) A term has been observed if a person who is being held under arrest or in a medical
institution has transferred the relevant document to the administration of the place of arrest or
medical institution until the end of the specific term.
(3) The missing of the term determining the enforcement of rights without a good reason shall
cause the termination of such rights.
(4) The missing of the term determining the execution of procedural duties shall not discharge
from the execution of a duty, and the relevant procedural duty shall be fulfilled in accordance
with the procedures laid down in the law.
Section 316. Extension of a Procedural Term
(1) Only the procedural terms in relation to which this Law has a special reservation regarding
the possibility of the extension thereof shall be extended.
(2) If this Law does not determine otherwise, the matter regarding the extension of a term shall
be decided not later than five days before the end of the relevant term in a written procedure,
on the basis of the submission of a person directing the procedures or an interested person, and
presented materials that have been submitted not later than seven days before the end of the
term.
(3) In examining a submission regarding the extension of a term, a decision shall be taken to
extend the term or to refuse to extend the term.
(4) A decision to extend a term or to refuse to extend a term shall indicate the justification for
why the term is or is not being extended. Such decision shall indicate the time for which the
term is being extended, or the time up until which the term is being extended.
(5) In extending terms, the procedures for the calculation of procedural terms specified in
Section 314 of this Law shall be complied with.
[12 March 2009]
Section 317. Renewal of Delayed Procedural Term
(1) An interested person who has missed the term specified for the enforcement of rights due
to a justifying reason has the right to submit a submission for the renewal of such term. The
submission shall indicate the reasons why the term was missed, and documents that certify the
justification for the delay of the term shall be attached to such submission.
(2) The submission of an interested person regarding renewal of a delayed term, except a request
regarding renewal of a term for submission of a complaint, shall be examined by the person
directing the proceedings within the next three working days. The submission regarding the
renewal of the term shall be examined in the presence of the submitter and other summoned
persons, if the deciding of the matter is not possible without the receipt of an additional
explanation from the submitter or other persons, and if the submitter has requested such
examination in the presence thereof.
(3) In examining a submission regarding the renewal of a term, the person directing the
proceedings may take a decision on renewal of a delayed term, or regarding a refusal to renew
a delayed term.
(4) A decision on renewal of a delayed term, or on refusal to renew a delayed term, shall be
reasoned, and a submitter shall be immediately notified of such decision.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 120
(5) Having received a submission regarding the renewal of a delayed term, the person directing
the proceedings may suspend, in accordance with a request of the submitter or on the basis of
the initiative of the person directing the proceedings himself or herself, and up to the deciding
of the matter, the execution of a ruling the renewal of the appeal term of which has been
requested.
(6) An investigating judge shall examine submissions regarding the renewal of delayed terms
in connection with the taking of a decision, located in the competence of the investigating judge,
during pre-trial proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 19 Rulings
Section 318. Decisions in Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) During pre-trial proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall take, and draw up
in writing, a reasoned decision on:
1) the subsequent direction of criminal proceedings;
2) the recognition of a person as a suspect;
3) [18 February 2016];
4) the holding of a person criminally liable;
5) the application of a compulsory measure;
6) the completion of pre-trial proceedings.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall also take a reasoned decision in other case
specified in this Law, and, if necessary, may take a decision on any matter significant in the
proceedings.
(3) Officials who conduct criminal proceeding, but are not persons directing the proceedings,
shall take a reasoned decision in matters within the competence thereof.
[18 February 2016]
Section 319. Court Rulings
(1) Court rulings are court judgments and decisions.
(2) A court judgment is a court ruling on the guilt or innocence of an accused, the application
or non-application of a punishment, and the acquittal or release from a punishment.
(3) A court shall take a decision on matters that must be decided in preparing a criminal case
for examination in a court hearing, during the course of trial of a case, and in transferring a
judgment for execution.
(4) Court judgments and, in the cases determined by law, decisions shall be drawn up in writing.
Section 320. Structure of a Ruling
(1) A ruling drawn up in writing shall consist of an introduction, a descriptive part, a reasoned
part, and an operative part.
(2) The introduction of a ruling shall indicate the place and time of its making, the institution
and the official who made the ruling, and the legal matter on which the ruling was made.
(3) The descriptive part shall indicate the essence of the circumstances ascertained in
proceedings that is at the basis of the making of the ruling.
(4) The reasoned part shall indicate a reference to the law in accordance with which the ruling
was made, and shall justify the conclusion made.
(5) The operative part shall indicate the conclusion regarding the matter being examined, the
made ruling, and the procedures for and term of the appeal of such ruling.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 121
(51) A judgment shall not contain information, which is an object of official secret. If
information, which is an object of official secret, is an evidence in criminal proceedings, it shall
be indicated in the ruling that such information has been evaluated.
(6) In the cases provided for in this Law, the written decision of the person directing the
proceedings may be written in the form of a resolution. In such cases the ruling made, the
Section of the Law according to which it was made, the official who took the decision, and the
date of taking of the decision shall be indicated.
(7) An official, who is authorised to conduct the criminal proceedings, shall draw up his or her
decision in the form of a resolution by which he or she permits or agrees to perform a particular
procedural action or approved performance thereof.
(8) [20 June 2018]
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018]
Section 321. Familiarisation with a Judgment or Issue of a Copy
(1) A person who is involved in criminal proceedings and whose rights and interests have been
affected by a made ruling, the representative thereof, and the defence counsel thereof, as well
as the person on the basis of the submission, application, or request of whom the ruling has
been made shall be familiarised with the ruling before the commencement of the execution
thereof, if the execution takes place with the participation of the relevant person.
(2) In the cases determined by law, familiarisation with the decisions taken in pre-trial
proceedings shall take place only after completion of a particular investigative action, or in
completing pre-trial proceedings.
(3) A copy of a court judgment or decision by which proceedings are completed shall, not later
than on the next day after preparation of the full text thereof, be sent to an accused, who is being
held under arrest, house arrest or in a social correctional educational institution.
(4) In the cases determined by law, upon notifying a person of the ruling made, a copy thereof
or a notification of the ruling made may be sent to the postal or electronic address indicated by
the person for the receipt of consignments.
(5) If a copy of a ruling or a notification of the ruling made has been delivered to the person by
post, it shall be deemed that the person has been notified of the ruling on the seventh day after
handing over of the copy thereof or the notification to the post office. If a copy of a ruling or a
notification of the ruling made has been delivered to the electronic mail address of the person,
it shall be deemed that the person has been notified of the ruling on the second working day
after its copy or the notification has been sent.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 321.1 Day of Availability of a Court Ruling
(1) The day of availability of a court judgment or decision by which the proceedings are
completed shall be the day on which the judgment or decision, or the translation of the judgment
or decision may be received at the court chancellery.
(2) A court shall provide the victim with a possibility to become familiar with the ruling using
the assistance of an interpreter. If a victim who does not know the official language and whose
permanent place of residence is in a foreign country has applied a request to receive a written
translation of the ruling, the person directing the proceedings shall send a written translation of
the abovementioned ruling to the victim.
(3) The court shall provide the accused with a written translation of the ruling in a language
comprehensible to him or her without delay. A written translation shall not be provided, if:
1) a judgment of conviction has been rendered in a case that has been examined in the
court of first instance without verification of evidence;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 122
2) a judgment of conviction has been rendered in the event of settlement between the
victim and the accused;
3) a judgment of conviction has been rendered under the proceedings of agreement;
4) a decision by the cassation court has been rendered;
5) an abridged judgment has been rendered.
(4) The accused for whom a written translation of the ruling in a language comprehensible to
him or her is not provided in the cases referred to in Paragraph three of this Section shall be
provided by the court with a possibility to become familiar with the ruling using the assistance
of an interpreter. Persons to whom a security measure related to deprivation of liberty has been
applied shall be provided with a possibility to become familiar with the ruling using the
assistance of an interpreter by the relevant place of imprisonment.
(5) The day of availability of a court ruling for an accused person who is being held under arrest,
house arrest or in a social correctional educational institution shall be the day on which a copy
of the ruling is issued to him or her in a language comprehensible to him or her or he or she is
familiarised with the ruling in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph four of
this Section.
[23 May 2013; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017]
Section 322. Procedures for Entering into Effect of a Ruling
(1) All procedural decisions shall enter into effect immediately after taking thereof, if the law
does not specify other procedures for entering into effect.
(2) Court judgments shall enter into effect in accordance with the procedures laid down in this
Law.
(3) A ruling that has entered into effect is mandatory and shall be fulfilled by everybody.
Chapter 20 Proposals
Section 323. Proposals
The person directing the proceedings shall write a proposal, if operations that are not
within the competence of such person directing the proceedings, or for the operation of which
a decision of a competent person is necessary, must be performed for the achievement of the
objective of criminal proceedings.
Section 324. Examination of a Proposal
(1) A proposal shall be examined by an official who has been granted the authority in criminal
proceedings to perform the operations recommended in the proposal by himself or herself, or
to allow another person to perform such operations with a decision on basis of the location
where the criminal offence was committed or on the basis of the location of the investigation
or prosecutor institutions thereof, in the record-keeping of which is the specific proceedings.
(2) If the law does not specify otherwise, a proposal shall be examined within seven days,
summoning the submitter of the proposal, if necessary. The submitter shall be notified regarding
a taken decision or commenced operations not later than within three days.
[19 January 2006]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 123
Chapter 21 Minutes
Section 325. Minutes of a Procedural Action
(1) In pre-trial proceedings, the minutes of a procedural action shall record the course of an
investigative action, and, in the cases specified in law, also the course of other procedural
actions. If several procedural actions are conducted at the same time, they may be recorded in
the same minutes of a procedural action.
(11) The minutes of a procedural action may include a decision related to such action.
(2) The minutes of a court hearing shall record procedural actions performed in judicial
proceedings.
[20 June 2018]
Section 326. Content of Minutes
(1) The minutes of a procedural action shall indicate:
1) the place and date of the occurrence of the operation;
2) the time when the operation was commenced and completed;
3) the position, given name, and surname of the performer of the procedural action;
4) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the person – participator
in the procedural action, and the given name, surname, place of practice, and procedural status
of an advocate;
5) the course of the occurrence of the operation, and determined facts, if such facts exist;
6) the used scientific-technical means;
7) the position, given name, and surname of the taker of the minutes.
(2) Objects and documents obtained during the course of a procedural action shall be attached
to the minutes.
(3) Section 484 of this Law shall determine the content of the minutes of a court hearing.
Section 327. Familiarisation with the Minutes of a Procedural Action
(1) The performer of a procedural action shall familiarise the persons who participate in the
relevant operation with the content of the minutes of such procedural action, and the
attachments thereto, by reading, indicating, or playing such content and attachments. The
minutes shall record the corrections and additions expressed by the persons.
(2) The performer of a procedural action, the taker of minutes, and all the persons who
participate in the operation shall sign the protocol as a whole and, separately, each page thereof.
If a person refuses or, due to physical deficiencies or other reasons, is not able to sign, such
refusal shall be noted in the minutes, indicating the reason and motives for the refusal.
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 22 Summonses
Section 328. Summons
A summons is a document with which the person directing the proceedings summons a
person to an investigating institution, the Office of the Prosecutor, or the court, in order for such
person to participate in criminal proceedings (hereinafter – the person being summoned). In
case of necessity, other means of communication may be used for a summons.
[19 January 2006]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 124
Section 329. Content of a Summons
A summons shall indicate:
1) the given name, surname, and place of residence of the natural person being
summoned, or another address indicated by such person;
2) the name and legal address of a legal person being summoned, or the address of the
authorised representative of such legal person indicated by such legal person;
3) the name and address of the investigating institution, the Office of the Prosecutor, or
court;
4) the time and place of attendance;
5) the reason for the summoning of the person;
6) the duty of the person receiving the summons to transfer such summons to the person
being summoned in the case of the absence thereof;
7) the consequences of a failure to attend.
Section 330. Delivery of a Summons
(1) A summons in a pre-trial criminal proceedings shall be issued not later than two days before
the time of arrival indicated therein. If a procedural action is unplanned or cannot be suspended,
a summons may be issued directly before arrival.
(2) A summons in a pre-trial criminal proceedings shall ordinarily be delivered by mail or by a
messenger (courier) to the address indicated by the person being summoned, but for a person
who is summoned for the first time – to the place of residence or legal address. A summons
may be sent also to an electronic mail address of the person.
(3) A summons shall be sent as an ordinary postal item or, in the cases when it is possible, issue
personally at the court in exchange for the signature. A summons may be sent also to an
electronic mail address of the person. As regards the defence counsel, State and local
government institutions, a summons shall be sent to the electronic mail address.
(4) If a person being summoned has indicated another mode of communication, or if a case is
urgent, a person may also be summoned by using other modes of communication.
(5) A summons shall be sent to a person being summoned who lives in a foreign country, or
whose legal address is in a foreign country, through the intermediation of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia or in accordance with the procedures laid down in an
international agreement.
[23 November 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 331. Procedures for Issuing a Summons in Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) A summons shall be issued to a person being summoned personally and in exchange for the
signature thereof. The time of the receipt of the summons shall also be indicated in the signature
part of the summons.
(2) If the deliverer of a summons does not encounter the person being summoned at the address
indicated by such person, he or she shall issue the summons to another family member of legal
age who lives together with the person being summoned. In such case, the recipient of the
summons shall enter his or her given name and surname in the signature part of the summons,
and shall indicate his or her relationship to the person being summoned. The recipient of the
summons has a duty to give the summons to the person being summoned.
(3) In the case of the absence of a person being summoned, the deliverer of a summons shall
make a note regarding such absence in the signature part of the summons, and shall indicate the
place to which the person being summoned has departed, and the term when the return of such
person is expected.
(4) A summons addressed to a legal person shall be issued to the relevant employee thereof.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 125
(5) The signature part of a summons shall be returned to the person directing the proceedings.
[23 November 2016]
Section 332. Duty of a Person being Summoned to Accept a Summons
(1) A person being summoned has a duty to accept a summons.
(2) If a person being summoned refuses to accept a summons, the deliverer shall make a note
regarding such refusal in the signature part of the summons, and shall return such summons to
the person directing the proceedings.
Section 333. Duty of Persons being Summoned to be Accessible
(1) A person who has indicated the address thereof to a performer of a procedural action in
specific criminal proceedings has a duty to be accessible at such address.
(2) If a summons has been delivered in accordance with the procedures laid down in this
Chapter, it shall be recognised that the person being summons has been notified regarding the
time and place of the occurrence of criminal proceedings.
(3) If a summons has been delivered to a person being summoned in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 330 of this Law by mail, it shall be recognised that the person
being summoned has been notified regarding the time and place of the occurrence of
proceedings on the seventh day after handing over of the summons to the post office.
(4) If a summons has been delivered to the electronic mail address of the person being
summoned in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 330 of this Law, it shall be
deemed that the person being summoned has been notified of the time and place for the
proceedings on the second working day after the summons has been sent.
[19 January 2006; 14 January 2010; 27 September 2018]
Chapter 23 Applications, Submissions and Requests
[12 March 2009]
Section 333.1 Submission of Applications, Submissions or Requests
(1) A person involved in the proceedings may, for the ensuring of his or her or other person’s
rights and lawful interests, submit an application, submission or request to the person directing
the proceedings or to another official in the cases determined in the Law who is authorised to
perform criminal procedural action.
(2) An application, submission or request shall be examined regardless of the title of such
document, if only the content thereof expresses a proposal related to particular criminal
proceedings which is significant for achieving the objective of criminal proceedings or ensuring
of the rights and lawful interests of a person.
[12 March 2009]
Section 334. Terms for Examination of Applications, Submissions and Requests
(1) An application, submission or request shall be examined, and a decision on such application
shall be taken, immediately after receipt thereof, if this Law does not specify otherwise.
(2) If the decision on an application, submission or request cannot be taken without delay, such
decision shall be taken within seven days after receipt thereof.
(3) Applications, submissions or requests submitted to a court shall be examined and decided
in a trial, unless they are to be decided earlier in order to prepare the case for trial.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 126
Section 335. Deciding of an Applications, Submissions and Requests
(1) An application, submission or request is able to be satisfied, if it promotes the ascertaining
of facts significant in criminal proceedings, and the ensuring of the rights and lawful interests
of persons involved in the proceedings and other persons.
(2) If an application, submission or request has been satisfied, a written decision may be not
drawn up, but the submitter shall be notified thereof in writing and the execution thereof shall
be ensured.
(3) A reasoned decision on complete or partial rejection of an application, submission or request
shall be taken which shall be notified to a submitter within three working days by sending or
issuing to him or her a copy of thereof.
(4) A decision on rejection of an application, submission or request may be appealed in
accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(5) If the content of an application, submission or request in relation to legal or factual
circumstances indicated in the application, submission or request already examined has not
changed on its merits, the application, submission or request shall not be examined and the
submitter shall be notified thereof.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Chapter 24 Complaints
Section 336. Right to Submit a Complaint
(1) A complaint regarding the actions or ruling of an official conducting criminal proceedings
may be submitted by a person involved in the proceedings, as well as a person whose rights or
lawful interests have been infringed upon by the specific actions or ruling.
(2) A complaint submitted by a prosecutor shall be called the protest of the prosecutor.
(3) A decision of the person directing the proceedings shall be subject to appeal, except the
cases determined in this Law.
Section 337. Submission of a Complaint
(1) A complaint shall be addressed and submitted to an official or institution, that is entitled to
decide on it. A complaint may be submitted also to an official the action or decision of which
is appealed.
(2) A complaint shall be transferred for deciding:
1) to the person directing the proceedings regarding the actions of a member of an
investigative group, the executor of a procedural task, an expert, or an auditor;
2) to the supervising prosecutor regarding the actions or decision of an investigator or
the direct supervisor of the investigator;
3) to a higher-ranking prosecutor regarding the actions or decision of a prosecutor.
4) to a higher-level court regarding the decision of the investigating judge;
5) to the chairperson of the court regarding the actions of a judge;
6) to a higher-level court regarding the ruling of a court or judge.
(3) If a person has appealed the actions or decision of a person referred to in Paragraph two,
Clauses 1–3 of this Section, and does not agree with the decision taken by the examiner of a
complaint – higher-ranking prosecutor, such person may appeal such decision to the next
higher-ranking prosecutor, whose decision shall not be subject to appeal in a pre-trial criminal
proceedings.
(4) A chairperson of a court shall, in examining a complaint, decide it on the basis of the essence
thereof. The decision taken by the chairperson of a court shall not be subject to appeal.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 127
(5) A person who has received a complaint regarding his or her actions or decision shall
immediately transfer such complaint to the official referred to in Paragraph two of this Section.
If a person considers a complaint justified, such person shall simultaneously discontinue the
appealed actions or revoke the appeal decision and recognise the results thereof as invalid.
(6) Complaints may be written or oral. A complaint submitted orally shall be entered in the
minutes and signed by the submitter of the complaint and the person to whom the complaint
was submitted orally. Complaints submitted orally shall be decided in accordance with the same
procedures by which the deciding of a written complaint has been specified. A complaint may
have attachments that apply to the content of the complaint.
(7) A person who does not understand the language in which criminal proceedings are taking
place has the right to submit a complaint in the language that he or she understands.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 338. Sending of Complaints of Detained Persons or Arrested Persons
The administration of a place of detention or arrest shall immediately transfer the
complaint of a detained person or a person arrested after receipt of such complaint to the official
to whom such complaint is addressed.
Section 339. Terms for the Submission of Complaints
(1) A complaint regarding the actions and decision of an official in a pre-trial proceedings may
be submitted during the entire term of pre-trial proceedings, if other term has not been provided
for in this Section.
(2) A decision of an investigator or prosecutor may be appealed within 10 days from the day of
the receipt of a copy of the decision or a notification regarding the decision taken. A complaint
regarding the action of an investigator or prosecutor may be submitted within 10 days from the
day when the actual action was established.
(3) Complaints regarding rulings of a judge or court may be submitted within 10 days from the
day of the availability of the ruling, if another term is not provided for in this Law.
(4) If the term for the submission of a complaint has been missed due to a justifiable reason,
such term may be renewed upon request of the submitter by the authority or official who has
the right to examine the complaint.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012]
Section 340. Revocation of Complaints
(1) A person who has submitted a complaint is entitled to revoke such complaint.
(2) A complaint that has been submitted to a court may be revoked up until the moment when
the court retires to deliberate the making of a ruling.
(3) A complaint submitted in the interests of an accused or victim may be revoked only with
his or her consent.
Section 341. Suspension of the Execution of a Ruling in Connection with the Submission
of a Complaint
In the cases determined in this Law, the submission of a complaint shall suspend the
execution of an appealed ruling. In other cases, the execution of a decision may be suspended
by the official who examines a complaint, if such official considers such suspension necessary.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 128
Section 342. Examination of a Complaint
(1) Having received a complaint, the recipient thereof shall decide on examination of such
complaint, or send such complaint on the basis of the jurisdiction thereof, within three working
days after the day of receipt thereof.
(2) The assigning of examination of a complaint to the same official whose actions or ruling
are being appealed, or to the official who has approved the appealed ruling, is prohibited.
(3) The official who examines a complaint may take into account more than just the motives of
the complaint. If necessary, such official may examine the legality and validity of the entire
appealed ruling or of the entire criminal proceedings.
(4) An official examining a complaint has a duty, within the scope of his or her competence, to
immediately take measures in order to renew for persons the violated rights and lawful interests
thereof.
(5) If the term of a complaint has been missed and has not been renewed, the complaint shall
not be examined, and the submitter shall be notified regarding such non-examination.
(51) If the content of a complaint in relation to legal or factual circumstances indicated in a
complaint already examined has not changed on the basis of the essence thereof, the complaint
shall not be examined and the submitter shall be notified thereof.
(6) A judge of higher level court shall examine a complaint in a closed court hearing in the
presence of the submitter of the complaint and his or her defence counsel or representative. The
person whose actions or decision is being appealed, or the representative thereof, may
participate in the court hearing. The failure of the referred to persons to attend shall not be an
impediment to examination of the complaint. The decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(61) A higher-level court judge shall examine the complaint regarding a decision of an
investigating judge in a written procedure. If necessary, the judge shall request the case
materials. A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(7) Appellate and cassation complaints and protests shall be examined in accordance with the
procedures and terms specified in Division Ten of this Law.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 14 January 2010; 24 May 2012; 18 February 2016]
Section 343. Terms for Examination of a Complaint
(1) Complaints, for which other terms for examination are not provided for in this Law, shall
be examined within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(2) In cases where the obtaining of additional materials, or the taking of other measures, is
necessary for the examination of a complaint, examination of the complaint shall be allowed
within 30 days, notifying the submitter of the complaint of such examination.
(3) If the complaint has not been submitted in the official language, in respect of the beginning
of the term of examination thereof shall be deemed to be the day of the availability of a
translation, and the submitter of the complaint shall be notified of this.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 344. Deciding a Complaint
(1) A complaint may be satisfied or rejected.
(2) In satisfying a complaint:
1) the appealed ruling may be fully or partially revoked or modified;
2) the criminal proceedings may be fully or partially terminated;
3) the criminal proceedings may be sent for a new investigation;
4) the results of the appealed actions may be declared invalid.
(3) In satisfying a complaint, an investigating judge and a court shall make the ruling provided
for in Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 4 of this Section.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 129
(4) A refusal to satisfy a complaint shall be reasoned.
(5) The official or court that decides a complaint may not revoke a previously made ruling, if
such revocation may cause a worsening of the circumstances of the person who has submitted
the complaint, or in the interests of whom the complaint has been submitted.
Section 345. Report on the Deciding of a Complaint
(1) The person who has submitted a complaint shall be notified regarding the deciding of the
complaint, and the further possibilities and procedures for appeal.
(2) If harm has been illegally caused to a person by appealed actions or an appealed ruling, the
rights thereof to request compensation or rectification for the harm, and the procedures for the
actualisation of such rights, shall be explained to such person.
(3) A complaint, a copy of the answers provided to such complaint, and the materials of the
examination of the complaint shall be attached to a criminal case.
Chapter 25 Complaints Regarding Decisions of the Prosecutor General
Section 346. Appeal of a Decision of the Prosecutor General
A complaint regarding a decision of the Prosecutor General that has been taken in
accordance with Sections 303, 310, and 410 of this Law may be submitted by the person whose
rights or lawful interests are infringed upon by the specific decision within 10 days from the
day when such person learned of the taking of the decision and of the content thereof.
Section 347. Submission of a Complaint and Determination of Examination
(1) A complaint regarding a decision of the Prosecutor General shall be submitted to the
Supreme Court.
(2) Having received a complaint, the chairperson of the Department of Criminal Cases of the
Supreme Court shall determine the composition of the court, and shall assign the examination
of the complaint to one of the judges.
(3) The senator to whom examination of a complaint has been assigned shall request from the
Prosecutor General the criminal case or other materials that were the grounds for the taking of
the decision, and shall determine the term for examination of the complaint.
(4) If necessary, a judge may requisition documents and other materials, and summon the
relevant persons for the provision of explanations.
(5) A judge shall notify the Prosecutor General and the submitter of a complaint regarding the
term of examination of the complaint and regarding his or her rights, and the rights of his or her
representative, to participate in the court hearing. The submitter of a complaint who is being
held under arrest shall, on the basis of his or her request, be ensured participation in examination
of the complaint.
[19 December 2013]
Section 348. Examination of a Complaint
(1) The Supreme Court with a panel of three judges shall examine a complaint regarding a
decision of the Prosecutor General with the participation of the Prosecutor General and the
submitter of the complaint, or the representatives thereof. The non-attendance of such persons
without a justifiable reason, if such persons have been notified in a timely manner regarding
the time and place of the examination, shall not be an impediment to examination of the
complaint.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 130
(2) Having heard the submitter of a complaint and the Prosecutor General, or the representatives
thereof, a court shall retire to deliver and take a decision, which shall be read in the court
hearing.
(3) A court may take one of the following decisions:
1) to leave the decision of the Prosecutor General without unamended;
2) to modify the decision of the Prosecutor General; or
3) to revoke the decision of the Prosecutor General.
(4) The decision of a court shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013]
Section 349. Actions of a Court after Examination of a Complaint
A court shall send a criminal case and other requested materials, together with a
decision, to the Prosecutor General within three working days after taking of the decision.
Division Six
Financial Matters in Criminal Proceedings
Chapter 26 Compensation for Harm Caused by a Criminal Offence
Section 350. Compensation for Harm Caused to a Victim
(1) Compensation is payment specified in monetary terms that a person who has caused harm
with a criminal offence pays to a victim as atonement for moral injury, physical suffering, or
financial loss.
(2) Compensation is an element of the regulation of criminal-legal relations which an accused
pays voluntarily, or on the basis of a court ruling or a prosecutor’s penal order.
(3) If a victim believes that the entire harm caused to him or her has not been compensated with
a compensation, he or she has the right to request the compensation thereof in accordance with
the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law. In determining the amount of
consideration, the compensation received in criminal proceedings shall be taken into account.
(4) In requesting consideration in accordance with civil legal procedures, a victim shall be
discharged from the State fee.
(5) A ruling in criminal proceedings on the guilt of a person shall be binding in the judgment
of a civil case.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 351. Application for Compensation
(1) A victim has the right to submit an application regarding compensation for a caused harm
in any stage of criminal proceedings up to the commencement of a court investigation in a court
of first instance. The application shall justify the amount of the requested compensation for
financial losses, but the amount of compensation for moral injury and physical suffering – shall
just be indicated. The account number of a credit institution or financial institution, to which
compensation for a harm should be transferred, may be indicated in the application.
(2) An application may be submitted in writing or expressed orally. An oral application shall
be recorded in the minutes by the person directing the proceedings.
(3) During pre-trial proceedings, a prosecutor shall indicate a submitted application and the
amount of requested compensation, as well as his or her opinion thereon in the document
regarding the completion of pre-trial proceedings.
(4) The failure to ascertain a person being held criminally liable shall not be an impediment to
the submission of a compensation application.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 131
(41) An application for compensation shall be examined regardless of the presence of a victim.
(5) A victim has the right to recall a submitted compensation application at any stage of criminal
proceedings up to the moment when the court retires to make a judgment. The refusal of
compensation of a victim may not be grounds for the revocation or modification of prosecution,
or a justifying judgment.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 352. Amount of Compensation
(1) A court shall determine the amount of compensation by assessing the application of a victim,
and by taking into account:
1) the amount of financial losses caused;
2) the seriousness of a criminal offence, and the nature of the committing thereof;
3) the caused physical suffering, permanent mutilation, or loss of ability to work;
4) the depth and publicity of a moral injury;
5) mental trauma.
(2) If harm has been caused to a legal person, the difficulties caused to commercial activities
shall also influence the amount of compensation.
(3) Direct losses shall be assessed at the prices used for the determination of the amount of
prosecution.
(4) The causer of harm may voluntarily agree to the amount of compensation specified by the
victim, or such causer and victim may determine such amount by mutual agreement. Such
agreement shall be drawn up in writing, or such agreement shall be recorded, upon request of
both parties, in the minutes of the procedural action.
Section 353. Persons upon whom the Duty to Pay Compensation May be Imposed
(1) The obligation to pay compensation may be imposed upon the following:
1) an accused of legal age who has been found guilty of the committing of a criminal
offence;
2) a minor who has been found guilty of the committing of a criminal offence, –
subsidiary with the parents or persons who substitute for him or her, except the cases when it is
the duty of office of such persons;
21) a person for whom a compulsory measure of medical nature is specified or who has
been transferred into the charge of relatives or other persons;
3) a legal person who has been applied a coercive measure has been applied.
(2) In other cases compensation shall not be determined, but the compensation of harm shall
take place in accordance with civil-legal procedures.
(3) A special law shall determine the procedures by which harm shall be compensated from the
State funds to victims, and the amount of harm to be compensated from such funds.
[12 March 2009; 14 March 2013; 20 June 2018]
Section 354. Fee to the Victim Compensation Fund
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 132
Chapter 27 Actions with Criminally Acquired Property
Section 355. Criminally Acquired Property
[22 June 2017]
Section 356. Recognition of Property as Criminally Acquired
(1) Property may be recognised as criminally acquired by a court ruling that has entered into
effect, or by a decision of a prosecutor to terminate criminal proceedings.
(11) If property has been recognised as criminally acquired, the attachment imposed on it,
burdens, prohibitions and pledge rights, including all burdens and pledge notations entered in
respect of property to be registered in the public register, shall be deleted.
(2) During pre-trial criminal proceedings, property may also be recognised as criminally
acquired by:
1) a district (city) court decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Chapter 59 of this Law;
2) a decision of the person directing the proceedings, if, during the pre-trial criminal
proceedings, the property in relation to which its owner or lawful possessor had applied for the
loss of property and right to which he or she has proven, by eliminating any doubts, after its
finding has been found in the possession of the suspect, accused or third persons or it has been
withdrawn therefrom.
(3) After termination of criminal proceedings for reasons other than exoneration, property may
be recognised as criminally acquired by a district (city) court ruling in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law.
(4) During the pre-trial criminal proceedings or after termination of criminal proceedings for
reasons other than exoneration of a person, the property, in the case referred to in Paragraph
two, Clause 2 of this Section, for which the rights have been registered in the public register
and the entry in this register has been amended after committing of the criminal offence may
be recognised as criminally acquired only by a district (city) court ruling in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law.
(5) If an assumption is expressed that the property is criminally acquired or related to a criminal
offence, the person directing the proceedings shall notify the person that such person may,
within 45 days from the moment of notification, submit information on the legality of the origin
of the relevant property, and also shall inform the person of consequences for failure to submit
such information.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 22 June 2017; 27 September 2018; 21 November 2019]
Section 357. Returning of Criminally Acquired Property
(1) Property shall be returned, on the basis of ownership, to the owner or lawful possessor
thereof by a decision of the person directing the proceedings or court after storage of such
property is no longer necessary for achieving the objective of criminal proceedings. Action with
property which is not withdrawn by its owner or lawful possessor shall take place in accordance
with the same procedures as action with property which has been seized.
(2) Property, the circulation of which is prohibited by law and which, as a result of such
prohibition, is located in the possession of a person illegally, shall not be returned to such
possessor, but rather transferred to the relevant State authority, with a decision of the person
directing the proceedings, or to a legal person that is entitled to obtain and use such property.
(3) Property the origin of which is the State resources used for disclosure of a criminal offence
shall be returned to the legal possessor or recovered for the benefit of him or her. If such
property is alienated, destroyed, concealed or disguised and it is not possible to return it, other
property may be subjected for such recovering in the value of the property to be returned.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 133
(4) If a criminally acquired property – immovable property – is returned, on the basis of
ownership, to the owner or lawful possessor, lease or rental contracts of the residential premises
entered into after committing of criminal offence shall not be in force.
[12 March 2009; 22 June 2017]
Section 358. Confiscation of Criminally Acquired Property for the Benefit of the State
(1) Criminally acquired property shall be confiscated with a court ruling for the benefit of the
State, if the further storage of such property is not necessary for achieving the objective of
criminal proceedings and if such property does not need to be returned to the owner of lawful
possessor, and acquired financial resources shall be included in the State budget.
(2) In the case referred to in Paragraph one of this Section a criminally acquired property may
be confiscated for the benefit of the State also by a decision of a prosecutor to terminate criminal
proceedings, except the case when a property the rights for which are to be registered in the
public register has been recognised as criminally acquired.
[22 June 2017]
Section 358.1 Replacement of Criminally Acquired Property Upon Request of a Person
(1) If the confiscation of criminally acquired property for the benefit of the State has been
applied to a person, a prosecutor or a judge, in the case specified by The Criminal Law, may
replace the confiscated property with financial resources in the value of such property, if the
person to whom the confiscation has been applied has, within 3 working days after entering
into effect of a ruling, submitted a justified request to replace the property and if the person has
compensated the harm caused to a victim. The matter on replacement of property shall be
decided in a written procedure by determining a time period of 30 working days for voluntary
payment of the financial resources.
(2) A person shall submit a request to the Office of the Prosecutor where the decision to
confiscate a criminally acquired property has been taken, or in a court of first instance.
(3) A complaint regarding a decision to reject the request to replace the property shall be
examined by a higher-ranking prosecutor or a higher-level court judge in a written procedure.
A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(4) A prosecutor or a judge who took the decision on the replacement of property shall revoke
the seizure of a criminally acquired property when the person has paid financial resources in
the value of the replaced property. The value of the replaced property shall be determined
according to the value it had at the time of seizure.
(5) If the financial resources are not paid in full within 30 working days after entering into effect
of a decision on the replacement of property, the decision on the replacement of the confiscation
of property shall cease to be in effect. A ruling on confiscation of a criminally acquired property
for the benefit of the State shall be sent for execution in accordance with the procedures laid
down in this Law.
(6) If within the period specified in Paragraph five of this Section the financial resources have
been paid partly, a judge or a prosecutor after receipt of a notification regarding execution of
confiscation of criminally acquired property shall take one of the following decisions in a
written procedure:
1) regarding reimbursement of financial resources to a person to whom confiscation of
criminally acquired property has been applied if the criminally acquired property is confiscated;
2) regarding transferring of financial resources to the State budget if the confiscation of
criminally acquired property has not been possible.
[22 June 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 134
Section 359. Use of the Resources Acquired as a Result of the Confiscation of Criminally
Acquired Property
(1) After entering into effect of a final ruling in criminal proceedings, resources acquired as a
result of the confiscation of criminally acquired property shall be used first for the ensuring and
payment of the requested compensation. Actions with the acquired resources shall take place in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law on Execution of Confiscation of
Criminally Acquired Property.
(2) After receiving a notification from a bailiff regarding execution of confiscation of a
criminally acquired property, including compensation for a caused harm to a victim and
payment of immovable property tax debts to a local government, a judge shall take a decision
regarding recovery of resources which are used for compensation for a caused harm to a victim
and for covering immovable property tax debts from a convicted person for the benefit of the
State in a written procedure. A decision shall not be subject to appeal. The court shall send the
ruling together with a cover letter to a sworn bailiff for execution in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this Law. A sworn bailiff shall perform the recovery in accordance
with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law.
[22 June 2017]
Section 360. Rights of Third Persons
(1) If criminally acquired property has been found on a third person, such property shall be
returned, on the basis of ownership, to the owner or lawful possessor thereof.
(2) If criminally acquired property has been returned to the owner or lawful possessor thereof,
the third person who acquired such property, or pledge, in good faith has the right to submit a
claim, in accordance with civil procedures, regarding compensation for the loss, including
against an accused or convicted person.
(3) If a criminally acquired immovable property is confiscated (from a third person), the
confiscation itself may not be grounds to request early fulfilment of obligations which are
secured with the relevant immovable property or to believe that the abovementioned obligations
are being violated.
[22 June 2017]
Chapter 28 Ensuring of a Solution to Financial Matters
Section 361. Seizure of a Property
(1) To ensure the recovery of procedural expenditures and compensation for a harm to a victim,
possible return, on the basis of ownership, of a criminally acquired property to the owner or
lawful possessor, possible confiscation of a criminally acquired property, resources that a
person has acquired from the disposal of such property, the yield received as a result of the use
of the criminally acquired property, or property related to a criminal offence, and also possible
confiscation of property as an additional punishment, the property will be seized within criminal
proceedings. A property may be seized to ensure possible replacement of the special
confiscation of a property in the cases specified in the Criminal Law, as well as to ensure the
recovery of such property the origin of which is the State resources used for disclosure of a
criminal offence.
(11) [22 June 2017]
(2) A property may also be seized in proceedings regarding the application of coercive measures
to a legal person and regarding the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature,
if it is necessary to ensure a solution to financial matters in criminal proceedings, the possible
liquidation, recovery of money, or confiscation of property.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 135
(3) In pre-trial proceedings, property shall be seized with a decision of the person directing the
proceedings that has been approved by an investigating judge, but during trial a court shall take
a decision.
(4) In emergency cases when property may be alienated, destroyed, or hidden due to a delay,
the person directing the proceedings may seize the property with the consent of a prosecutor.
The person directing the proceedings shall notify an investigating judge of the seizure not later
than on the next working day by presenting the protocol and other materials that justify the
necessity and emergency of the seizure. If the investigating judge does not approve the decision
of the person directing the proceedings on the seizure of a property, the seizure of the property
must be revoked.
(5) The decision on the seizure of a property shall indicate the purpose of the seizure and the
person who owns the property upon which shall be seized, and, if the amount of the financial
matter to be solved is known, the necessary ensuring sum shall also be indicated.
(6) [22 June 2017]
(7) If a mortgage pledge or other pledge, which has been specified by law and should be
registered, was registered in relation to property before its seizure, actions with the pledged
property may take place only after co-ordination with the person directing the proceedings. If
such property has been recognised by a court decision as criminally acquired, the seizure of the
property has priority in relation to the pledge.
(71) If in relation to property on which an attachment is being imposed a mortgage or
commercial pledge has been registered, the person directing the proceedings shall inform the
mortgage creditor or commercial pledgee about the taken decision. Upon receipt of information
regarding the seizure of a property, a mortgage creditor or commercial pledgee has the right to
submit documents regarding the origin of property.
(8) An attachment shall not be imposed on basic necessity objects used by the person upon
whose property the attachment is being imposed, or by the family members of such person and
the persons dependent on such person. Annex 1 to this Law shall determine the list of such
objects. A prohibition specified in this Paragraph shall not apply to criminally acquired property
or other property related to a criminal offence.
(9) A copy of the decision shall be sent or issued to a person whose property is being seized.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 14 March 2013; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017;
27 September 2018]
Section 361.1 Sending for Execution of the Decision on the Seizure of a Property
(1) The execution of the seizure may be assigned, by sending the extract of the decision, to:
1) the State Police;
2) the public register in which the rights to the seized property are registered so that it
would register the prohibition to alienate and to burden such property with other property or
obligation rights;
3) capital company or co-operative society whose capital shares (stocks) or co-operative
shares are seized so that it would transfer all the money which is due to the relevant person from
a capital company or co-operative society into the bank account indicated by the person
directing the proceedings (account of an institution, account of the Treasury, or account of the
person to which an attachment is imposed), as well as would comply with the prohibition to
alienate and burden such capital shares (stocks) and co-operative shares with other property or
obligation rights;
4) credit institution or investment brokerage company in which the seized monetary
deposits, financial instruments and capital shares (stocks) are stored so that withdrawal
operations with them would be discontinued.
(2) Upon seizing the property, the owner, possessor, user, or holder of such property shall be
notified of the prohibition to act with or use such property, as well as of the rights of the owner
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 136
of property infringed during criminal proceedings. If necessary, a tangible property shall be
withdrawn and placed in storage.
(3) Upon seizing capital shares (stocks) or co-operative shares, the person directing the
proceedings may impose a duty on a person to notify if he or she is due any payments or money
from these capital shares (stocks) or co-operative shares, including from third persons.
(4) Upon seizing capital shares (stocks) or co-operative shares, the person directing the
proceedings may impose a duty on a capital company or co-operative society whose capital
shares (stocks) or co-operative shares are seized to transfer all the money which is due to the
person from a capital company or co-operative society into the bank account indicated by the
person directing the proceedings (account of an institution, account of the Treasury, or account
of the person subject to seizure).
(5) Upon seizing money of members of a partnership, the person directing the proceedings may
impose a duty on a partnership to transfer all the money which is due to the person from a
partnership into the bank account indicated by the person directing the proceedings (account of
an institution, account of the Treasury, or account of the person subject to seizure).
[22 June 2017]
Section 362. Protocol on the Seizure of a Property
(1) A protocol shall be written on the seizure of a property. A protocol regarding the imposition
of an attachment on property need not be written if a decision on the imposition of attachment,
by sending an extract of the decision, has been assigned for execution in accordance with
Section 361.1, Paragraph one, Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this Law and it is not necessary to describe
individual features of the property.
(2) A protocol shall record the following:
1) each object upon which has been seized, indicating the name, label, weight, level of
wear, and other individual features;
2) the objects which have not been seized, if the entire property is being seized;
3) the application that a third person has submitted regarding ownership of the property.
(3) [22 June 2017]
(31) In imposing an attachment on property, also all the civil yield arising or due from the
attached property shall be considered attached.
(4) If property has been withdrawn, the protocol shall indicate precisely what has been
withdrawn, and where and with whom such property has been placed in storage.
(5) If an attempt to hide, destroy, or damage property was made during the term of seizure, an
entry on such attempt shall be made in the protocol.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017]
Section 363. Issuance of Copies of a Protocol on the Seizure of a Property
(1) A copy of the protocol on the seizure of a property shall be issued, in return for a signature,
to the person by whom a description of the property was made, or one of his or her family
members of legal age, but if such person is not present, the copy shall be issued to a
representative of the local government in the administrative territory of which the property was
seized.
(2) If such property is being seized which is located in the territory of a legal person, a copy of
the protocol on the seizure of the property shall be issued, in return for a signature, to a
representative of such legal person.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 137
Section 364. Determination of the Value of Property Subjected to Seizure
(1) Property which is being seized shall be assessed in accordance with the prices prevalent in
the area, taking into account the degree of wear and tear of such property. The immovable
property which is being seized shall be assessed in accordance with the market value. If
necessary, a specialist shall be invited for the determination of the value of the property.
(2) The value of the property shall be determined at the time of seizure. If it is not possible, the
value of the property shall be determined not later than until completion of the pre-trial
proceedings during the pre-trial proceedings, but during trial – until the retiring of the court to
the deliberation room.
(3) Money, financial instruments, stocks and shares of the equity capital shall be registered on
the basis of the nominal value thereof.
(4) If only a part of the property must be seized for a specific sum, the owner or user of the
property has the right to indicate the property that, according to his or her view, should be
subjected to seizure.
[22 June 2017]
Section 364.1 Permission for the Disposal of Seized Property
(1) If the person directing the proceedings, when seizing the property, finds that in relation to
the same property there is a registered note of a sworn bailiff on directed recovery, the person
directing the proceedings shall inform the sworn bailiff that the property is being seized.
(2) If it is necessary for a sworn bailiff in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil
Procedure Law, in executing the ruling, to direct the recovery against the seized property, he or
she shall submit an application to the person directing the proceedings. The person directing
the proceedings shall, after assessment of the conditions of the criminal proceedings and the
essence of that claim for the satisfaction of which a note is registered regarding bringing of
collection, take a decision on permission or prohibition for the bailiff to bring a collection in
respect of such property. If the person directing the proceedings is a judge or a court, the
application shall be examined and the decision shall be taken in a written procedure. An amount
to be retained for the ensuring of property matters in the criminal proceedings shall be indicated
in a decision on permission to direct recovery against the seized property. A decision taken by
the person directing the procedures shall not be subject to appeal.
(21) If the person directing the proceedings has received an information from an institution
regarding the alienation of immovable property for public needs, he or she shall notify the
institution about an amount to be retained for the ensuring of property matters in the criminal
proceedings.
(3) If the conditions of criminal proceedings based on the evaluation of which the person
directing the proceedings has given the permission to a bailiff to direct recovery against a seized
property have significantly changed, the person directing the proceedings may take the decision
to prohibit directing the recovery against the seized property notifying such decision to the
bailiff until the day of auction of the property or until the day when property is given to a trading
enterprise for selling according to commission regulations.
(4) After the disposal of the seized property in accordance with the procedures laid down in the
Civil Procedure Law or after alienation of immovable property for public needs in case a
contract regarding voluntary alienation of immovable property has been entered into or the law
on alienation of the respective property has come into effect, but before the reimbursement of
compensation, a sworn bailiff or an institution shall respectively notify the person directing the
proceedings thereof, asking to revoke the seizure of the disposed property, and shall transfer
the amount indicated by the person directing the proceedings into the deposited funds account
indicated by him or her. The person directing the proceedings shall decide on the seizure of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 138
these financial resources. The confirmation of an investigating judge is not necessary for such
decision.
[12 March 2009; 22 June 2017]
Section 365. Storage of a Seized Property
(1) Property which has been seized may be left in storage with the owner or user thereof, his or
her family members, or another natural person or legal person to whom the liability, provided
for by law, regarding the storage of the referred to property shall be explained. Such persons
shall sign regarding such storage.
(2) [12 March 2009]
(21) Property upon which an attachment is imposed but which is not possible to leave in storage
with the persons specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall be handed over for storage to
the institutions specified by the Cabinet with the decision of the person directing the
proceedings. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for storage of such property. Property
the continued storage of which is not possible or the continued storage of which causes losses
for the State shall be handed over for disposal or destruction in accordance with the procedures
laid down by the Cabinet with the decision of the person directing the proceedings.
(3) If such objects are being seized the circulation of which has been prohibited by law, as well
money, currency, materialised financial instruments, bills of exchange, registered shares in
printed form and other monetary documents, articles made from precious metals or precious
stones, as well as precious metals and precious stones, the place of storage and the procedures
for storage thereof shall by determined by the Cabinet.
(4) Monetary deposits, financial instruments and capital shares (stocks) stored in credit
institutions or investment brokerage companies shall not be withdrawn, but, after receipt of the
decision on the seizure of a property, withdrawal operations with them shall be discontinued.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 22 June 2017]
Section 366. Revocation of the Seizure of a Property
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall take the decision to revoke the seizure of a
property, and shall immediately notify the persons whose property has been seized, or in the
storage of whom the seized property was placed, of such revocation. The decision to revoke the
seizure of a property shall be taken, if:
1) a court takes a judgment of acquittal;
2) [22 June 2017]
3) the person directing the proceedings terminates criminal proceedings with a
rehabilitating decision;
4) compensation for harm has not been requested in criminal proceedings, or a victim
has withdrawn such request;
5) a criminal offence has been reclassified on the basis of another Section of The
Criminal Law that does not provide for confiscation of property;
51) a bailiff has sold attached property with a permission of a person directing the
proceedings in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law, in order
to execute the judgment;
6) any other reason for the ensuring of a solution to financial matters has ceased.
(2) The person directing the proceedings may retain the seizure of only such part of property
that may be necessary for the covering of procedural expenditures.
(3) After entering into effect of a ruling, the person directing the proceedings shall immediately
notify the person, mortgage creditor, commercial pledgee, public register, capital company,
credit institution or investment brokerage company which ensured the seizure of the property.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 139
(4) If, within a month after the day when a notification regarding revocation of an attachment
on property was sent, a person upon the property of whom the attachment was imposed and
whose property was transferred in storage in accordance with Section 365, Paragraph 2.1 of this
Law has not removed the property belonging thereto, a person directing the proceedings or –
after entering into effect of the final judgment in the criminal proceedings – a judge, public
prosecutor of the institution, which sent the notification, or the head of an investigating
institution or a unit thereof shall take a decision to put up for sale or to destroy the property.
The decision shall not be subject to appeal. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the
disposal and destruction of the property.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 22 June 2017]
Chapter 29 Procedural Expenditures and the Reimbursement thereof
Section 367. Procedural Expenditures
(1) Procedural expenditures are:
1) sums that are paid to witnesses, victims, experts, auditors, specialists, interpreters,
and other persons involved in proceedings, in order to cover travel expenses that are related to
arriving at the place of the performance of a procedural action, return to the place of residence,
and payment for accommodations;
2) sums that are paid to witnesses and victims as an average work remuneration for the
term wherein such persons did not perform the work thereof in connection with participation in
a procedural action, or that investigating institutions, the Office of the Prosecutor, or the
Ministry of Justice have compensated to the employer of the referred to persons regarding
average earnings paid out;
3) payment to experts, auditors, interpreters, and specialists regarding work, except
cases where such persons participate in proceedings fulfilling the official duties thereof;
4) payment to an advocate, when expenditures regarding legal assistance are covered
from State resources;
5) sums that are used for the storage, transfer, disposal and destruction of material
evidence;
6) sums that are used for the conducting of an expert-examination;
7) sums that are used for the protection of property;
71) expenditures that have been occasioned in an administrative violation matter in
which a decision to terminate administrative violation proceedings is taken by transferring the
materials to an investigating institution, or the ruling made is revoked in relation to
commencement of criminal proceedings or it has become invalid in relation to holding a person
criminally liable;
72) expenditures which are related to examinations carried out for detection of the
influence of alcohol concentration, narcotic, psychotropic or other intoxicating substances;
73) expenditures related to the takeover of a person extradited by a foreign country;
8) other expenditures that have been occasioned in criminal proceedings.
(2) The procedural expenditures referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be covered
from State resources in accordance with the procedures and in the amount specified by the
Cabinet.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 17 May 2007; 30 March 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 368. Recovery of Procedural Expenditures
(1) Procedural expenditures shall be recovered with a court ruling from convicted persons,
except the cases referred to in Paragraphs three, four, five, and six of this Section. The duty of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 140
recovery of procedural expenditures shall also fall upon parents or guardians of a convicted
minor.
(2) If several persons have been convicted with a court judgment, the court shall determine the
amount in which procedural expenditures shall be recovered from each convicted person. The
court shall take into account the nature of the criminal offence, and the level of liability and
financial situation of the convicted person.
(3) If a person has been acquitted with a court judgment, procedural expenditures shall be
covered from State resources. If an accused has been partially acquitted, the procedural
expenditures that are related to the prosecution in which the person has been found guilty and
convicted may be recovered from such person.
(4) Procedural expenditures shall be covered from the State funds, if the person from whom
such expenditures are to be recovered is low-income person or a person in need. A court may
release a convicted person from the recovery of procedural expenditures fully or partially in
other cases as well, if the recovery may substantially affect the financial situation of a person
who is a dependent of such convicted person.
(5) State resources shall cover the work of an interpreter, as well as procedural expenditures
that are related to the participation of an advocate, on the basis of an assignment, in criminal
proceedings, if the person directing the proceedings has released a person, in accordance with
the procedures laid down in the law, from payment for legal assistance.
(6) Procedural expenditures that are related to the postponement of an investigative action or
court hearing, if such operation or session has been postponed in connection with the non-
appearance, without a justified reason, of persons summoned in accordance with the procedures
laid down in the law, may be recovered from such persons during pre-trial proceedings, during
trial and by a final ruling of a court or a prosecutor in criminal proceedings in accordance with
the procedures laid down in this Law.
(61) If after the completion of criminal proceedings information is received on the procedural
expenditures that are related to the takeover of a person extradited by a foreign country or have
arisen until the day when the final ruling comes into effect, and that were not known on the day
when the final ruling was made, a judge of a court of first instance shall decide the matter of
such procedural expenditures in the written procedure. If procedural expenditures are
recovered, a time period of 30 days shall be determined in the decision for voluntary execution
thereof. A copy of the decision shall be sent to a person, against whom criminal proceedings
have been terminated due to non-exonerating circumstances, and to a prosecutor. The person
or the prosecutor may appeal the decision within 10 days after the date when a copy thereof
was received. A higher-level court judge shall examine a complaint in a written procedure, and
his or her decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(7) Also a prosecutor shall determine the recovery of procedural expenditures in accordance
with the procedures provided for in this Section, if criminal proceedings are terminated by
preparing a penal order or a penal order regarding a coercive measure, or if criminal proceedings
are terminated by conditionally releasing from criminal liability or on the basis of other
circumstances that do not exonerate the accused. If a prosecutor takes a decision on the recovery
of procedural expenditures after the date of the entering into effect of the final ruling, a copy of
the decision shall be sent to a person, against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated.
The person may appeal the decision within 10 days after the date of receipt of a copy thereof to
a higher-ranking prosecutor whose decision is not subject to appeal.
(71) In accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section the recovery of procedural
expenditures is determined also by the investigator if the criminal procedures against a person
have been terminated due to circumstances non-exonerating the person. If an investigator takes
the decision to recover procedural expenditures after the date of the entering into effect of the
final ruling, a copy of the decision shall be sent to the person against whom criminal
proceedings have been terminated. The person may appeal the decision within 10 days after the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 141
date of receipt of a copy thereof to a prosecutor, and the decision of the prosecutor is not subject
to appeal.
(8) When recovering procedural expenditures, the decision shall determine a time period of 30
days for its voluntary execution. The part of the extract of the decision on recovery of procedural
expenditures shall be sent for execution after the end of the term for voluntary execution of the
decision.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012; 14 March 2013; 27 September 2018]
Section 368.1 Recovery of Procedural Expenditures Related to the Postponement of
Investigative Actions or Court Hearings
(1) The person directing the proceedings, having established during the pre-trial proceedings
the procedural expenditures referred to in Section 368, Paragraph six of this Law, may propose
to an investigating judge to decide on recovery thereof from persons because of whom
investigative actions were postponed. The person directing the proceedings shall append
documents to the proposal, confirming the postponement of investigative actions and the
amount of procedural expenditures.
(2) The investigating judge shall notify the person directing the proceedings and the person
because of whom investigative actions were postponed regarding the decision taken, sending a
copy thereof.
(3) During trial a decision on recovery of such procedural expenditures, which are related to
the postponement of court hearings, shall be taken by a court.
(4) The person may appeal the decision of the investigating judge and court on recovery of
procedural expenditures in a higher-level court. A complaint may contain a request to repeal
the decision in general, release the person from payment of procedural expenditure or reduce
the amount thereof.
(5) A higher-level court judge shall examine the complaint in a written procedure. The decision
shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) The matter on recovery of procedural expenditures from the persons referred to in
Section 368, Paragraph one of this Law shall be settled in accordance with the procedures laid
down in Section 368 of this Law by a final ruling of a court or prosecutor in criminal
proceedings.
[24 May 2012]
Section 368.2 Execution of Recovery of Procedural Expenditures Related to the
Postponement of Investigative Actions or Court Hearings
(1) If a person has not appealed the decision taken in accordance with the procedures of
Section 368.1 of this Law on recovery of the procedural expenditures or the submitted complaint
has been rejected, the person has a duty to voluntarily pay such expenditures within 30 days
after notification of the decision or rejection of the complaint.
(2) If a decision is not executed voluntarily, a writ of execution on recovery of procedural
expenditures shall be sent to a sworn bailiff for execution.
[24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 142
Part B Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings and Court Proceedings in Criminal Cases
Chapter 30 Initiation and Termination of Criminal Proceedings
Section 369. Reasons for the Initiation of Criminal Proceedings
(1) A reason for initiating criminal proceedings is the submission of information indicating the
committing of a possible criminal offence to an investigating institution, Office of the
Prosecutor, or court (hereinafter – the institution responsible for the progress of criminal
proceedings), or the acquisition of such information at an institution responsible for the progress
of criminal proceedings.
(2) The information referred to in Paragraph one of this Section may be submitted:
1) as a submission by a person who has suffered as a result of a criminal offence;
2) by controlling and supervising institutions, in accordance with the procedures
provided for in the laws and regulations governing the activities thereof;
3) by medical practitioners or institutions, as a report regarding traumas, illnesses, or
cases of death the cause of which may be a criminal offence;
4) by non-governmental organisations, and authorities protecting the rights of children,
as a submission regarding infringements upon the rights of minors the cause of which may be
a criminal offence;
5) any natural person or legal person, as information regarding possible criminal
offences from which such person has not directly suffered;
6) as a submission by any person regarding a criminal offence committed by such
person.
(2) The reason for the initiation of criminal proceedings may not be anonymous information or
information whose submitter refuses to disclose the source of the information.
(3) Institutions responsible for the progress of criminal proceedings may acquire the
information referred to in Paragraph one of this Section as a result of a departmental or criminal
procedural action thereof in the following cases:
1) in directly determining a criminal offence at the time of the committing thereof, and
discontinuing such offence;
2) in directly determining clear consequences of a criminal offence;
3) in conducting criminal proceedings regarding another criminal offence;
4) in performing other functions specified in laws: examinations, an investigative action,
etc.
Section 370. Grounds for the Initiation of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Criminal proceedings may be initiated, if the actual possibility exists that a criminal offence
has taken place.
(2) Criminal proceedings may also be initiated if information contains particulars regarding a
criminal offence that has possibly taken place, and the examination of such information is
possible only with the resources and methods of criminal proceedings.
Section 371. Initiation of Criminal Proceedings within the Competence of Investigating
institutions, the Office of the Prosecutor, or a Court
(1) An investigator, or the direct supervisor of an investigator, has a duty to initiate criminal
proceedings, within the framework of his or her competence, in connection with any reason
referred to in Section 369 of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 143
(2) A prosecutor may send materials for examination to an investigating institution or
commence criminal proceedings within the scope of his or her competence, in connection with
any reason referred to in Section 369 of this Law.
(3) A decision of a prosecutor to initiate criminal proceedings, and the materials related to such
decision, shall immediately be sent to an investigating institution, except the cases referred to
in Section 38, Paragraph three of this Law.
(4) [21 October 2010]
(5) A judge or court shall send, without deciding, an application, materials, or information
acquired in trial to an investigating institution or, in the cases determined by law, to the Office
of the Prosecutor.
[19 January 2006; 21 October 2010]
Section 372. Procedures for the Initiation of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Criminal proceedings shall be initiated by a procedurally authorised official by taking a
decision that indicates:
1) the reason and grounds for the initiation thereof;
2) a short description of the offence, insofar as such description is known at the moment
of initiation;
3) the person against whom the proceedings have been initiated, if such person is known;
4) the institution or specific person to whom the conducting of the proceedings has been
assigned.
(2) A decision may also be written in the manner of a resolution. Also the institution or person
to whom the management of the proceedings has been assigned may be indicated in such
decision.
(3) In an emergency case, a decision may be recorded in the manner of a resolution in the
minutes of the first emergency investigative action.
(4) A decision to initiate criminal proceedings shall not be subject to appeal.
(5) Information regarding the initiation of criminal proceedings shall be sent within 24 hours to
the prosecutorial institution which is responsible for the supervision of the investigation.
Information regarding initiation of criminal proceedings shall be sent to the person who
submitted information regarding the criminal offence, except for medical practitioners, an
institution or a person who has been informed of the initiation of criminal proceedings as a
result of investigative actions, within three working days.
(6) A prosecutorial institution shall notify the person directing the proceedings regarding the
data of the supervising prosecutor within 24 hours after receipt of information.
(61) If the criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding a criminal offence which can
affect the determination of the amount of taxes, a person directing the proceedings shall notify
thereof the State Revenue Service.
(7) Information regarding initiated criminal proceedings, determined criminal offences, persons
directing the proceedings, persons who have the right to defence and victims shall be registered
in the information system. The amount of information to be included in the information system,
the procedures for entering, use and deletion of information, terms for storage of information,
as well as the institutions to which the access to the information system is to be granted, shall
be determined by the Cabinet.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Section 373. Refusal to Initiate Proceedings
(1) If a procedurally authorised official determines that there are no grounds for the initiation
of criminal proceedings, such official shall take a decision which may be written also in the
manner of a resolution and shall notify the person who has submitted information regarding the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 144
committing of a possible criminal offence, except medical practitioners or institutions,
regarding such decision. If a reasoned written decision has been taken, a copy of the decision
shall be sent to the person.
(2) The circumstance that information does not contain sufficient information for the initial
qualification of an offence may not be grounds for the non-initiation of proceedings.
(21) An investigator with a consent of a public prosecutor may refuse the initiation of criminal
proceedings, if a criminal offence has been committed that has the features of a criminal
offence, but which has not caused such harm that would warrant the application of a criminal
punishment.
(3) If information contains particulars regarding a violation of the law for the disclosure of
which the use of the resources and methods of criminal proceedings is not necessary, such
information shall be sent to the competent authority for the performance of a departmental
examination. By a departmental examination within the meaning of this Law shall be meant an
examination performed by the State authority and officials thereof in respect of possible
violation of the law using powers, which are not criminal procedural powers, specified in the
law governing the operation of such authority.
(4) [30 March 2017]
(5) The persons referred to in Section 369, Paragraph two, Clauses 1, 2, and 4 of this Law may
appeal a decision, within 10 days after receipt of a report, on refusal to initiate criminal
proceedings to a prosecutor, if the decision has been taken by an investigator, or, if the decision
has been taken by a prosecutor, to a higher-ranking prosecutor.
(6) A complaint to a prosecutor regarding the non-initiation of criminal proceedings shall be
examined within 10 days from receipt of the complaint or the day of availability of the
translation thereof if the complaint has not been submitted in the official language. In
exceptional cases, when additional time is necessary for examination of the complaint, it is
permissible that it be examined within 30 days, notifying the submitter of the complaint thereof.
(7) In satisfying a complaint regarding a decision to refuse the initiation of criminal
proceedings, a prosecutor may fully or partially revoke or amend the appealed decision. The
ruling of the prosecutor, by which the complaint is refused or satisfied, shall not be subject to
appeal. Information regarding deciding on the complaint shall be sent to the person who
submitted the complaint.
[28 September 2005; 19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 29 May 2014;
30 March 2017]
Section 374. Record-keeping of Criminal Proceedings
(1) From the moment of the initiation of criminal proceedings, all the documents related to such
proceedings shall be stored together in a criminal case. The referred to documents shall be
removed from such case only on the basis of a decision and in accordance with the norms of
this Law.
(2) Objects containing a State secret shall be compiled in a separate volume.
[12 March 2009]
Section 375. Familiarisation with the Materials of a Criminal Case
(1) During criminal proceedings, the materials located in the criminal case shall be a secret of
the investigation, and the officials who conduct the criminal proceedings, as well as the persons
to whom the referred to officials present the relevant materials in accordance with the
procedures provided for in this Law, shall be permitted to familiarise themselves with such
materials.
(2) After the completion of criminal proceedings and entering into effect of the final ruling,
employees of courts, the Office of the Prosecutor, investigating institutions and institutions
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 145
executing criminal punishments, and persons whose rights were infringed in the specific
criminal proceedings, as well as persons who perform scientific activities are allowed to become
acquainted with the materials of the criminal case. All final rulings in criminal cases, ensuring
protection of the information specified by law, shall be publicly accessible.
(3) Information regarding the place of residence and telephone number, or the number (address)
of other means of communication, of a person (except a person who has the right to defence)
involved in criminal proceedings shall be stored in a separate reference that shall be attached to
a criminal case, and only the officials who conduct the criminal proceedings may familiarise
themselves with such reference.
(31) Documents which are related to informing of a victim regarding release of such arrested or
convicted person or escape of the latter from a place of imprisonment who has caused harm to
the former, shall be kept with the reference referred to in Paragraph three of this Section, and
only the officials performing criminal proceedings may become acquainted with them.
(4) Persons involved in the criminal proceedings and which have the right to familiarise with
the materials of a criminal case shall be notified in writing regarding the duty to keep a State
secret and regarding the liability which is intended for disclosure of the State secret. Making of
copies of the documents containing the State secret is not permissible.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 375.1 Rights of Journalists to Acquaint Themselves with Materials of a Criminal
Case
(1) After completion of criminal proceedings and coming into effect of the final ruling,
journalists (within the meaning of the law On the Press and Other Mass Media) may submit a
reasoned request to the institution which took the decision to complete criminal proceedings
for becoming acquainted with materials of a criminal case if this is necessary for informing the
public in order to promote the protection of significant State and public interests.
(2) Access to materials of a criminal case shall be refused if:
1) the objective indicated in the request can be achieved by becoming acquainted with
the final ruling taken in the criminal proceedings;
2) criminal proceedings were completed on the basis of exoneration of the person;
3) criminal proceedings were examined in a closed court hearing;
4) criminal proceedings were initiated regarding a criminal offence against morals and
sexual inviolability;
5) a State or adoption secret needs to be protected;
6) a minor or person who has helped to disclose a criminal offence committed by another
person or for whom special procedural protection has been determined is involved in the
criminal proceedings.
(3) Access to materials of a criminal case or their part may be refused also due to the following:
1) in order not to disclose special categories of personal data of the persons involved in
the criminal proceedings;
2) in order to protect a professional secret or commercial secret;
3) in order to ensure the protection of fundamental rights of the persons involved in
criminal proceedings;
4) if the pre-trial criminal proceedings might be renewed;
5) if the work resources of the institution that must be invested in executing the request
are incommensurably high.
(4) The decision on allowing to become acquainted with materials of a criminal case or their
part or on the refusal to become acquainted with materials of a criminal case shall be taken
within 30 days by:
1) the head of the investigating institution or a person authorised by him or her – when
the criminal proceedings have been completed in an investigating institution;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 146
2) the chief prosecutor – when the criminal proceedings have been completed in an
Office of the Prosecutor;
3) a judge – when the criminal proceedings have been completed in a court.
(5) The decision on allowing to become acquainted with materials of a criminal case or their
part may be drawn up in the form of a resolution. When refusing to become acquainted with
materials of a criminal case or their part, a reasoned decision shall be taken.
(6) The decision referred to in Paragraph four of this Section may be appealed within 10 days.
A complaint shall be examined in written procedure within 30 days by:
1) the chief prosecutor of the Office of the Prosecutor whose prosecutor monitored the
investigation – when the decision has been taken in an investigating institution;
2) a higher-ranking prosecutor – when the decision has been taken in an Office of the
Prosecutor;
3) a judge of a higher level court – when the decision has been taken in a court.
(7) When allowing to become acquainted with materials of a criminal case, a journalist shall be
warned in writing of the prohibition to make copies or transcripts of the materials of the criminal
case or to reproduce them in any other manner, to transfer to third persons or otherwise
disseminate the information contained in the materials of the criminal case that is not subject to
publishing, and also of the liability for violating this prohibition. Journalists may be allowed to
copy separate materials of a criminal case if they do not contain special categories of personal
data, professional or commercial secrets, or any other information related to the protection of
fundamental rights of persons.
[27 September 2018 / Section shall come into force from 7 November 2018. See Paragraph 70
of Transitional Provisions]
Section 376. Criminal Proceedings Register
[20 June 2018]
Section 377. Circumstances that Exclude Criminal Proceedings
The initiation of criminal proceedings shall not be permitted, and initiated criminal
proceedings shall be terminated, if:
1) a criminal offence has not taken place;
2) the committed offence does not constitute a criminal offence;
3) a limitation period has entered into effect;
4) an accepted act of amnesty that prevents the application of a punishment regarding
the relevant criminal offence;
5) a person who is to be held or is held criminally liable has died, except cases where
proceedings are necessary in order to exonerate a deceased person;
6) a judgment, or a decision of the person directing the proceedings, on termination of
criminal proceedings in the same prosecution against a person who has previously been held
criminally liable regarding the same criminal offence has entered into effect;
7) such criminal proceedings are directed against a foreign national or stateless person
regarding illegal crossing of the State border, and such foreign national or stateless person has
been forcibly deported from the Republic of Latvia regarding such criminal offence;
8) an application of a victim does not exist in criminal proceedings that may be initiated
only on the basis of an application of such person;
9) a settlement between a victim and a suspect or accused has taken place in criminal
proceedings that may be initiated only on the basis of an application of a victim and the harm
inflicted by the criminal offence has been completely eliminated or reimbursed;
10) the circumstances that exclude criminal liability referred to in The Criminal Law
have been determined.
[21 October 2010; 18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 147
Section 378. Suspension and Renewal of Criminal Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall suspend criminal proceedings, if all the
procedural actions that are possible without a suspect or accused have been performed, and if:
1) the suspect or accused has contracted an illness that is an obstacle, for a longer term,
to the performance of procedural actions with the participation of such person, and such
contraction of the illness has been certified by a conclusion issued by a medical institution;
2) the suspect or accused is in hiding and the whereabouts thereof are unknown; or
3) the whereabouts of the suspect or accused are known, but he or her is located outside
of the territory of Latvia;
4) the person who is to be held criminally liable has immunity from criminal proceedings
and permission to initiate criminal prosecution has not been received from the competent
authority;
5) other cases determined in this Law exist.
(11) If for a correct decision on criminal proceedings an essential evidence is a court judgment
in some other incomplete proceedings, a person directing the proceedings may suspend the
criminal proceedings up to the time when the judgment in such proceedings has entered into
effect.
(2) If, in a criminal case with several suspects or accused persons, criminal proceedings are
suspended against one or several of such persons, the criminal proceedings may be continued
in relation to the other suspects or accused persons, simultaneously deciding the matter
regarding the division of the criminal case in accordance with the procedures laid down in this
Law.
(3) Criminal proceedings shall be renewed, if the reason for the suspension of the criminal
proceedings has ceased to exist;
(4) A decision to suspend criminal proceedings, as well as to renew them may be written also
in the manner of a resolution.
(5) If a suspect or accused is hiding and the whereabouts thereof are unknown, the person
directing the proceedings shall take a decision on a search for the referred to person and transfer
for execution to persons performing investigative field work within the competence thereof.
(6) In case of suspension of the criminal proceedings procedural activities may be performed
with a purpose to find out the place of location of a person announced for a search.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 379. Termination of Criminal Proceedings, Releasing a Person from Criminal
Liability
(1) An investigator with a consent of a supervising prosecutor, prosecutor or a court may
terminate criminal proceedings, if:
1) a criminal offence has been committed that has the features of a criminal offence, but
which has not caused harm that would warrant the application of a criminal punishment;
2) the person who has committed a criminal violation or a less serious crime has made
a settlement with the victim or his or her representative in the cases determined in the Criminal
Law;
3) a criminal offence has been committed by a minor and special circumstances of the
committing of the criminal offence have been determined, and information has been acquired
regarding the minor that mitigates his or her liability;
4) it is not possible to complete the criminal proceedings within reasonable term;
5) the person committed the criminal offence during the time period when he or she was
subject to human trafficking and was forced to commit the offence.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 148
(2) An investigator, with the consent of a supervising prosecutor, or a prosecutor may terminate
criminal proceedings, and send materials regarding a minor for the application of a compulsory
measure of a correctional nature.
(3) A prosecutor may terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal
liability.
(4) The termination of criminal proceedings on the basis of a settlement shall not be permitted,
if information has been acquired that the settlement was achieved as a result of threats or
violence, or by the use of other illegal means.
(5) The termination of criminal proceedings, releasing a person from criminal liability, shall
not be permitted, if the person who has committed the criminal offence, or the representative
thereof, objects to such termination.
[12 March 2009; 20 December 2012]
Section 380. Circumstances that do not Exonerate Persons
A person shall not be exonerated, if criminal proceedings have been terminated with a
decision that is provided for in Section 377, Paragraph one, Clauses 3, 4, 5 and 9, Section 379,
Paragraphs one and two, Section 410, Paragraph one, Section 415, Section 415.1, Paragraph
one, Section 421, Section 605, Paragraph one, or Section 615, Paragraph three of this Law, or
in the case of a judgment of conviction.
[12 March 2009]
Section 381. Actualisation of a Settlement
(1) In the case of a settlement, an intermediary trained by the State Probation Service may
facilitate the conciliation of a victim and the person who has the right to defence.
(2) In determining that a settlement is possible in criminal proceedings, and that the
involvement of an intermediary is useful, the person directing the proceedings may inform the
State Probation Service regarding such possibility or usefulness, but it the criminal offence was
committed by a minor, then the State Probation Service shall be informed at any case, except
the case when the settlement has already been entered into.
(3) A settlement shall indicate that such settlement has been entered into voluntarily, with each
party understanding the consequences and conditions thereof. A settlement shall be attached to
a criminal case.
(4) During a court hearing, a settlement may be announced orally, and such announcement shall
be entered in the minutes of the court hearing.
(5) A settlement shall be signed by both parties – the victim and the person who has the right
to defence – in the presence of the person directing the proceedings or an intermediary trained
by the State Probation Service, who shall certify the signatures of the parties. The parties may
also submit a notarially certified settlement to the person directing the proceedings.
[20 December 2012; 14 March 2013]
Section 382. Procedures for Performing Procedural Actions
(1) Within the framework of criminal proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall
select and perform procedural actions in order to ensure the achievement of the objective of
criminal proceedings as quickly and economically as possible.
(2) If necessary and if required by the interests of criminal proceedings, a procedural action
may be performed using technical means (teleconference, video conference) in accordance with
the procedures laid down in Section 140 of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 149
Section 382.1 Distribution of Information via the Integrated Information System of the
Internal Affairs
(1) If it is necessary to find out the location of a person, property or document in the criminal
proceedings and in relation thereto it is not assigned to take measures of operational activities,
the person directing the proceedings may decide on inclusion of the information in the
Integrated Information System of the Internal Affairs for finding out the location of a person,
property or document.
(2) If during criminal proceedings the necessity has disappeared or the grounds to find out the
location of a person, property or document have disappeared, the person directing the
proceedings shall decide on deletion of the information from the Integrated Information System
of the Internal Affairs, but, if in relation to this it is assigned to take the measures of operational
activities – inform the persons performing investigative field work.
(3) The amount of information to be included in the Integrated Information System of the
Interior Affairs, the grounds for inclusion of information and the purpose, the procedures for
inclusion, use and deletion of information, the institutions to which the access to the information
included in such system is to be granted, as well as the action in determining a person, property
or document regarding which the information is included in the Integrated Information System
of the Internal Affairs, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[12 March 2009]
Section 383. Renewal of a Lost Criminal Case
(1) If a criminal case has been lost, a prosecutor or court shall take a decision on renewal thereof
and, if necessary, transfer such case to an investigating institution.
(2) The materials of a criminal case shall be renewed by preparing copies of the relevant
documents, if the acquisition of such document is possible, and by performing de novo the
necessary procedural actions.
[21 October 2010]
Division Seven
Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
Chapter 31 General Provisions of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
Section 384. Content of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
In pre-trial criminal proceedings, performing an investigation and criminal prosecution,
the following shall be ascertained:
1) whether a criminal offence has taken place;
2) the person who is to be held criminal liable;
3) whether grounds exist for the termination or completion of criminal proceedings, or
the directing thereof to court.
Section 385. Forms of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) During the course of criminal proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall select
one of the following forms of pre-trial proceedings:
1) to direct criminal proceedings in order to terminate such proceedings, conditionally
releasing from criminal liability;
2) to direct criminal proceedings in order to apply a prosecutor’s penal order;
3) to direct criminal proceedings in accordance with urgent procedures;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 150
4) [20 June 2018];
5) to direct criminal proceedings for the application of agreement proceedings;
6) to perform an investigation and criminal prosecution in accordance with general
procedure.
(2) [20 June 2018]
[20 June 2018]
Section 386. Investigating Institutions
The following institutions shall perform an investigation within the framework of the
competence thereof:
1) the State Police;
2) the Security Police;
3) Internal Security Department of the State Revenue Service;
4) the Military Police;
5) the Latvian Prison Administration;
6) the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau;
7) the Tax and Customs Police of the State Revenue Service;
8) the State Border Guard;
9) the captains of seagoing vessels at sea;
10) the commander of a unit of the Latvian National Armed Forces located in the
territory of a foreign country;
11) the Internal Security Bureau.
[21 October 2010; 8 July 2015; 28 September 2017]
Section 387. Institutional Jurisdiction
(1) Officials authorised by the State Police shall investigate any criminal offence, except the
cases laid down in Paragraphs two to 10.1 of this Section, unless the Prosecutor General has
assigned the performance thereof.
(2) Officials authorised by the Security Police shall investigate criminal offences that have been
made in the field of State security or in State security institutions, or other criminal offences
within the framework of the competence thereof and in cases where the Prosecutor General has
assigned the performance thereof.
(3) Officials authorised by the Internal Security Department of the State Revenue Service shall
investigate criminal offences which have been found in the actions of officials and employees
of the State Revenue Service and are related to the fulfilment of the official duties.
(4) Officials authorised by the Military Police shall investigate criminal offences in the military
service, as well as criminal offences which have been committed in military units, in the places
of deployment thereof, or in the objects in possession or holding of the Ministry of Defence, as
well as criminal offences committed by soldiers, national guardsmen, or civilians working in
military units or in the objects in possession or holding of the Ministry of Defence in relation
to execution of their service (work) duties.
(5) Officials authorised by the Latvian Prison Administration shall investigate criminal offences
committed by detained or convicted persons, or by employees of the Latvian Prison
Administration in places of imprisonment.
(6) Officials authorised by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau shall investigate
criminal offences that are related to violations of the provisions of the financing of political
organisations (parties) and the associations thereof, and criminal offences in the State Authority
Service, if such offences are related to corruption.
(7) Officials authorised by the Tax and Customs Police of the State Revenue Service shall
investigate criminal offences in the field of State revenue and customs matters.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 151
(8) Officials authorised by the State Border Guard shall investigate criminal offences that are
related to the illegal crossing of the State border, the illegal transportation of a person across
the State border, or illegal residence in the State, as well as criminal offences committed by a
border guard as a State official which are not related to violence.
(9) Captains of seagoing vessels at sea shall investigate criminal offences committed on vessels
of the Republic of Latvia.
(10) The commander of a unit of the Latvian National Armed Forces shall investigate criminal
offences committed by the soldiers of such unit, or that have been committed at the location of
the deployment of such unit (in the closed territory of the place of residence), if the relevant
investigating institutions of the foreign country are not investigating such offences.
(101) Officials authorised by the Internal Security Bureau shall investigate criminal offences
committed by the officials and employees of institutions subordinate to the Ministry of the
Interior, except the Security Police, as well as criminal offences related to violence which, upon
carrying out of service duties, have been committed by officials of the Latvian Prison
Administration with special service ranks, employees of the municipality police, and employees
of the port police.
(11) The Prosecutor General shall determine the institutional jurisdiction of specific criminal
offences.
(12) If the investigation of a specific criminal offence is under the jurisdiction of more than one
investigating institutions, the institution that initiated criminal proceedings first shall investigate
such criminal offence.
(13) If an investigating institution receives information regarding a serious or especially serious
crime that is taking place or has taken place, and the investigation of such offence is not
included in the competence thereof, and the conduct of emergency investigative actions is
necessary for the detention of the perpetrator of the offence or for recording evidence, such
institution shall initiate criminal proceedings, inform the relevant competent investigating
institutions of such initiation of proceedings, conduct the emergency investigative actions, and
transfer the materials of the initiated criminal proceedings on the basis of jurisdiction.
(14) The Prosecutor General shall resolve the disputes of investigating institutions regarding
the jurisdiction of criminal offences.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 8 July 2015; 28 September 2017]
Section 388. Territorial Jurisdiction of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) Pre-trial criminal proceedings shall take place in the district (city) in which a criminal
offence has taken place, or, if the determination of such place is not possible, the place where
a criminal offence was disclosed or determined, except the cases determined in this Section.
(2) In order to ensure faster and more economical pre-trial criminal proceedings, such
proceedings may also be initiated and conducted at the place where the criminal offence has
been disclosed, or where the consequences of such offence have entered into effect, as well as
at the place where the suspect, accused, victim, or the majority of witnesses are located.
(3) In the case of prolonged or continued criminal offences, pre-trial criminal proceedings shall
take place in the district (city) in which the relevant offence was completed or interrupted.
(4) If criminal offences have been committed in several districts, pre-trial criminal proceedings
shall take place in the district (city) in which such offences were mainly committed, in which
the most serious criminal offence was committed, or in which the last of the criminal offences
was committed.
(5) The investigating institution, or prosecutor, that has received information regarding a
criminal offence committed in another district (city) shall immediately transfer the received
materials on the basis of jurisdiction. If emergency operations are necessary, the investigating
institution shall initiate criminal proceedings, conduct the emergency investigative actions, and
transfer the materials of the initiated criminal proceedings on the basis of jurisdiction.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 152
(51) The manager of the investigating institution or his or her deputy is entitled within the
competence thereof to withdraw any criminal proceedings from one structural unit and transfer
to another structural unit of the institution with an order written in the manner of a resolution.
(6) The Prosecutor General or a chief prosecutor may remove, within the framework of the
competence thereof, any criminal case from one investigating or prosecutorial institution and,
with an order written in the manner of a resolution, transfer such case to another investigating
or prosecutorial institution, or transfer such case from one prosecutor or investigator to another
prosecutor or investigator regardless of the place of the committing of the criminal offence.
(7) The chief prosecutor of a court district, the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice
Department of the Office of the Prosecutor General, or the Prosecutor General shall resolve,
within the framework of the competence thereof, a dispute regarding territorial jurisdiction in
pre-trial criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 389. Time Period for the Restriction of Rights of a Person in Pre-trial Criminal
Proceedings
(1) From the moment when a person who has the right to defence is involved in pre-trial
criminal proceedings, the pre-trial criminal proceedings against this person must be completed
or all security measures must be revoked within the following time periods:
1) regarding a criminal violation – within six months;
2) regarding a less serious crime – within nine months;
3) regarding a serious crime – within twelve months;
4) regarding an especially serious crime – within twenty two months;
(11) From the moment when an attachment is imposed on the property of a person in pre-trial
criminal proceedings, such attachment must be revoked within the time period referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section.
(2) In criminal proceedings regarding several less serious crimes, as well as in criminal
proceedings regarding a serious or especially serious crime, the investigating judge may extend
the time period specified in Paragraph 1.1 of this Section by six more months, but by not more
than three months in one extension, if the person directing the proceedings has not allowed for
a delay, or the proceedings could not be completed faster due to the particular complexity of
such proceedings. In criminal proceedings regarding a serious or especially serious crime which
in its nature is focused on the gaining of financial or other kind of benefit or which is related to
terrorism, or which has been committed in an organised group, the investigating judge may
extend the time period for the restriction of rights by three more months in relation to, possibly,
criminally acquired property, resources that a person has gained from disposal of such property,
as well as the yield received as a result of the use of the criminally acquired property. A copy
of a decision shall be sent to the person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(21) If a person is suspected in one criminal proceedings or accused of a criminal offence which
is involved with more serious crime committed by another person to be investigated in the same
criminal proceedings, an investigating judge may extend the term for restriction of rights for
such person according to the crime in involvement.
(3) The time periods referred to in Paragraph one or 1.1 of this Section shall be suspended, if
the criminal proceedings are suspended.
(4) From the day when the person directing the proceedings has transferred to the district (city)
court chancellery a decision to initiate proceedings regarding criminally acquired property and
the materials attached to such decision until the day when a court ruling regarding criminally
acquired property has entered into effect the time period for restriction of the right in relation
to the property regarding which proceedings as for criminally acquired property have been
initiated shall be suspended.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 153
(5) The time periods for restricting the rights of persons with regard to a property which has
been seized within the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal
person shall be suspended from the moment when the prosecutor has submitted to the
chancellery of the district (city) court the decision to transfer the proceedings regarding the
application of a coercive measure to a legal person to the court until the date on which the ruling
on the application of a coercive measure to a legal person enters into effect.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 20 December 2012; 14 March 2013;
22 June 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 390. Merger of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) Several criminal proceedings may be merged in one record, if:
1) the manner of the committing of the criminal offences indicates, with a high degree
of certainty, the mutual connection thereof;
2) the determined facts testify that the criminal offences have been committed by one
and the same person;
3) the merger of the cases has been requested by a suspect, accused, or the representative
or defence counsel thereof.
(2) Criminal proceedings regarding criminal offences that have been committed by the one and
the same persons, or mutually connected persons, and that have features of organised crime
shall be merged in one record.
(3) The chief prosecutor of a district (city), court district, or of the Criminal Justice Department
of the Office of the Prosecutor General, or the Prosecutor General shall take the decision, on
the basis of a proposal of the person directing the proceedings and within the scope of the
competence thereof, on the merger of criminal proceedings in one proceeding. The decision
may be written also in the manner of a resolution and it shall not be subject to appeal.
(4) Merging the criminal proceedings the term for restriction of the rights of a person shall be
calculated from the beginning of the onflow of the first term for restriction of the rights of a
person taking into account the more serious criminal offence in the merged criminal
proceedings.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 391. Division of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall separate criminal proceedings in separate
records, if:
1) information has been received, in the pre-trial proceedings, regarding a criminal
offence committed by another person, and such offence is not related to the initiated criminal
proceedings;
2) the identity of the person who committed the criminal offence in a group has not been
ascertained in the pre-trial proceedings.
(2) The person directing the proceedings may separate criminal proceedings in the following in
separate records:
1) a suspect or accused who has committed a criminal offence in a group but is hiding,
and his or her whereabouts are unknown, or the whereabouts of the suspect or accused are
known, but he or she is located outside of the territory of Latvia and cannot participate in
proceedings;
2) an accused who is a minor and who has committed a criminal offence together with
a person of legal age;
3) another criminal offence possibly committed by a suspect or an accused that has
become known during pre-trial proceedings;
4) a person for whom special procedural protection has been specified;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 154
5) a person who has significantly helped to discover serious or especially serious crime.
(3) A prosecutor may also divide criminal proceedings:
1) because of the large volume of such proceedings;
2) if it concerns several criminal offences;
3) if it causes an impediment to the governing of the relations of the criminal
proceedings within reasonable terms.
(4) The person directing the proceedings shall take a decision on the division of criminal
proceedings that shall also simultaneously be recognised as a decision for the initiation of new
criminal proceedings. The date of the initiation of the new criminal proceedings is the date of
the taking of the decision.
(41) In the cases specified in Paragraph one and Paragraph two, Clause 3 of this Section, the
time period for the restriction of rights of a person in the separated criminal proceedings shall
be counted from the moment when the person directing the proceedings has involved a person
who has the right to defence in procedural activity in relation to this criminal offence or has
imposed an attachment on property. In other cases the term shall not be counted anew.
(5) The person directing the proceedings shall indicate the following in a decision on the
division of criminal proceedings:
1) the reason and grounds for the division of the criminal proceedings and the initiation
of the new criminal proceedings;
2) the personal data of the suspect or accused (if such data is known) in relation to whom
the criminal proceedings is being divided;
3) the essence of the prosecution;
4) the qualification of the criminal offence, if such qualification is known;
5) the security measure, and the dates and term of the application thereof.
(6) Originals or copies of the separated case materials and a list thereof shall be attached to a
decision on division of criminal proceedings.
(7) A decision on division of criminal proceedings shall not be subject to appeal. The person
directing the proceedings shall notify the person who has the right to defence in the proceedings
divided of the decision taken.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 20 December 2012; 18 February 2016;
27 September 2018]
Section 392. Termination of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings and Criminal Prosecution
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall terminate pre-trial criminal proceedings and
criminal prosecution, if the circumstances referred to in Section 377 of this Law have been
ascertained.
(2) If the proving of the guilt of a specific suspect or accused in the committing of a criminal
offence has not been successful in pre-trial proceedings, and the gathering of additional
evidence is not possible, the investigator, with a consent of the supervising prosecutor, or the
higher-level prosecutor shall take a decision to terminate the criminal proceedings or part
thereof against a person. If the criminal proceedings are terminated in the part against person,
the pre-trial proceedings shall be continued.
(3) If a case has several accused, but criminal prosecution is being terminated in relation to one
or several of such accused, criminal proceedings shall be terminated in such part, and a
prosecutor shall take a decision on such termination.
(4) If criminal proceedings are terminated in the part in relation to one or several accused, a
prosecutor shall, if necessary, decide the matter regarding the division of the criminal
proceedings.
(5) [21 October 2010]
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 30 March 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 155
Section 392.1 Decision to Terminate Criminal Proceedings
(1) If, in pre-trial proceedings, circumstances have been determined that do not allow for
criminal proceedings or may be grounds for the release of a person from criminal liability, or if
guilt of the suspect or accused has not been proven and the gathering of additional evidence is
not possible, the person directing the proceedings shall take a decision to terminate the criminal
proceedings or a part thereof.
(2) The descriptive part of a decision shall indicate the following:
1) the grounds for the initiation of criminal proceedings;
2) information regarding the personality of a suspect or accused;
3) when the prosecution was pursued and issued, and the criminal offence regarding
which the prosecution has been pursued and issued or regarding which a person is being held
suspect;
4) the applied security measure;
5) whether criminal proceedings were terminated in a part thereof against one of the
accused or suspects before the taking of such decision.
(3) The reasoned part of a decision shall indicate the reasons and grounds for the termination
of criminal proceedings or a part thereof.
(4) The operative part of a decision shall indicate the following:
1) the taken decision to terminate criminal proceedings or a part thereof;
2) the revocation of a security measure;
3) the revocation of the seizure of property, except when the proceedings regarding
criminally acquired property are transferred to a court;
4) a decision regarding confiscation of object for committing a criminal offence,
property related to a criminal offence, and criminally acquired property;
41) actions with the material evidence, property related to criminal offence, criminally
acquired property, as well as other seized objects, documents, and valuables;
5) the procedures for the appeal of the decision.
(41) If criminal proceedings and proceedings regarding application of a coercive measure to a
legal person are terminated concurrently, the person directing the proceedings shall draw up
one decision and, in addition to the information specified in this Section, shall also include the
information specified in Section 441.4, Paragraph one of this Law in the decision.
(42) If during the criminal proceedings it was not possible to determine the person who
committed the criminal offence and the limitation period of criminal liability has entered into
effect, the decision on termination of criminal proceedings may be written in the form of a
resolution, indicating the justification for entering into effect of the limitation period, the
official who took the decision, and the date of taking of the decision.
(5) A taken decision shall be immediately notified to the person or institution on the basis of a
submission of which criminal proceedings were initiated. A copy of the decision to terminate
criminal proceedings shall be immediately sent to the supervising prosecutor, but to a victim
and person who has the right to defence a copy of the decision to terminate criminal proceedings
shall be sent or issued explaining the right to familiarise with the materials of the criminal case
within 10 days from the day of receipt of the decision. If criminal proceedings have been
terminated in any part thereof, then a victim has the right to familiarise with those materials of
the criminal case which directly apply to him or her, but a person who had the right to defence
may familiarise with materials of the criminal case after termination of all pre-trial criminal
proceedings.
(51) A person directing the proceedings shall send a copy of a decision to terminate criminal
proceedings to the persons referred to in Section 369, Paragraph two, Clauses 2 and 4 of this
Law and to such persons whose rights were infringed in the particular criminal proceedings, or
issue upon their request.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 156
(52) When taking the decision on termination of criminal proceedings in the form of a
resolution, a notification of the decision taken where its content is included by explaining the
rights to become acquainted with the materials of the criminal case within 10 days after the day
of receipt of the notification, shall be sent to the persons referred to in Paragraph five of this
Section.
(6) If criminal proceedings have been terminated, but the materials of the criminal case contain
information regarding facts in connection with which disciplinary coercion measures or an
administrative punishment should be applied to a person, the person directing the proceedings
shall send the necessary materials to the competent authority or official.
(7) If the criminal proceedings are terminated, but the criminal case contains information that
the offence was committed by a minor, who has not reached 14 years of age, the person directing
the proceedings shall decide the sending of the material to a court for the application of a
compulsory measure of a correctional nature.
(8) If a victim who is not fluent in the official language and whose permanent place of residence
is in a foreign country, has applied a request to receive a written translation of the decision on
termination of proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall send a written translation
of the abovementioned decision to the victim.
(9) If criminal proceedings are terminated based on reasons other than exoneration of a person,
the person directing the proceedings shall, in the cases laid down in this Law, decide on sending
the materials to a court for taking a decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Chapter 59 of this Law.
(10) If a decision regarding the confiscation of criminally acquired property has been previously
taken in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law and transferred to
a sworn bailiff for execution, the person directing the proceedings shall inform a sworn bailiff
regarding the termination of criminal proceedings, assigning him to transfer into the State
budget the confiscated resources or resources acquired as a result of execution of confiscation
that are deposited in a deposit account of a sworn bailiff.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012; 29 May 2014; 18 February 2016;
22 June 2017; 20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 393. Renewal of Terminated Criminal Proceedings and Criminal Prosecution
(1) A procedurally authorised person may renew terminated criminal proceedings, or
terminated criminal prosecution against a person, by revoking a decision on termination, if it
has been determined that lawful grounds for the taking of such decision did not exist, or if new
circumstances have been disclosed that were unknown to the person directing the proceedings
at the moment of the taking of the decision, and which have substantial significance in the
taking of the decision.
(2) Pre-trial criminal proceedings and criminal prosecution may be renewed, if the limitation
period for criminal liability has not entered into effect.
Section 394. Tasks in Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) An investigator or prosecutor may assign the performance of separate procedural actions or
tasks to another investigating institution or an official authorised to conduct criminal
proceedings.
(2) An assignment shall be given in writing, indicating the matters that shall be ascertained by
performing the relevant investigation or other operation. The decision on the basis of which the
indicated investigative action is to be performed shall be attached to the assignment, if such
attachment has been determined by law. If the assignment is being given to an official of the
same investigating institutions, such assignment may be expressed orally.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 157
(3) An assignment shall be executed not later than within 10 days from the day of the receipt
thereof. If the execution of an assignment is not possible within such term, the executor thereof
shall notify the assignor regarding such impossibility, indicate the reason for the delay and the
possible term for the execution of the assignment.
Section 395. Investigation in a Group
(1) If a large volume of work must be performed in criminal proceedings, or criminal
proceedings are particularly complex, the higher-level prosecutor, the head of the investigating
institution or a competent official of the investigating institution shall take a decision on
investigation of a criminal offence in a group, indicating the specific persons who will
participate in the investigation and criminal prosecution and appointing the person directing the
criminal proceedings as the head of the investigative group. Such decision shall not be subject
to appeal.
(2) [20 June 2018]
(3) The head of an investigative group shall organise the work of the group and take all decisions
on direction of the criminal proceedings the application of security measures, and the extension
of the application term.
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 396. Prohibition on the Divulging of Information Acquired during Pre-trial
Criminal Proceedings
(1) Information acquired in the pre-trial criminal proceedings until the completion thereof shall
be divulged only with the permission of an investigator or a prosecutor and in the amount
specified by him or her. The investigator or prosecutor shall notify in writing a person regarding
the criminal liability for divulgement of such information.
(2) The duty to not divulge information acquired in pre-trial proceedings shall not apply to the
exchange of information between a suspect, or accused, and his or her defence counsel.
[12 March 2009]
Section 396.1 Correction of Clerical Errors and Mathematical Miscalculations
(1) The person directing the proceedings may correct clerical errors or mathematical
miscalculations in a ruling. Clerical errors or mathematical miscalculations shall be corrected
by taking a decision, which shall be notified to the persons involved in the proceedings to whom
it applies.
(2) Persons involved in the proceedings may appeal the decision on correcting clerical errors or
mathematical miscalculations within 10 days after receipt of a copy thereof to the supervising
prosecutor if the decision has been taken by an investigator, or to a higher-ranking prosecutor
if the decision has been taken by a prosecutor. The decision of the supervising prosecutor and
the higher-ranking prosecutor, in examining a complaint, shall not be subject to appeal.
[21 October 2010]
Chapter 32 Investigation
Section 397. Commencement of an Investigation
(1) After a decision has been taken to initiate criminal proceedings, the person directing the
proceedings shall perform the procedural actions provided for in this Law up to the moment
when the person who is to be held criminally liable is ascertained, and sufficient evidence has
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 158
been gathered for the transfer of criminal proceedings to a prosecutor for the commencement
of criminal prosecution.
(2) If the person who has committed a criminal offence is not ascertained, an investigation shall
be conducted up to the moment when the limitation period for criminal liability comes into
effect, or other circumstances are ascertained that, in accordance with the provisions of this
Law, do not allow for criminal proceedings.
Section 398. Significance of the Qualification of a Criminal Offence in an Investigation
(1) In initiating criminal proceedings, the actions of the person being investigated may be
qualified only on the basis of belonging to the object of the group of criminal offences.
(2) When sufficient evidence has been acquired, the offence shall be qualified on the basis of a
specific Section of The Criminal Law, and a decision thereon shall be taken in the form of a
resolution. A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) A person may be recognised as a suspect, and a security measure may be applied to such
person, only from the moment when the offence being investigated may be qualified on the
basis of a specific Section of The Criminal Law.
[20 June 2018]
Section 398.1 Decision to Recognise a Person as a Suspect
(1) The following shall be indicated in a decision to recognise a person as a suspect:
1) factual circumstances of the criminal offence to be investigated which determine legal
classification;
2) legal classification of the criminal offence;
3) the grounds for assumption that a criminal offence to be investigated is likely to have
been committed by the certain person;
4) the name, surname, personal identity number, notified place of residence and place
of work of the suspected person.
(2) A decision to recognise a person as a suspect shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) If during the investigation additional evidence is obtained or the factual circumstances of
the criminal offence have changed as a result of which the taken decision needs to be changed,
the person directing the proceedings shall take a new decision to recognise the relevant person
as suspect and inform thereon in conformity with the requirements of Section 66, Paragraph
one, Clause 1 of this Law.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Section 399. Pre-trial Proceedings on Seagoing Vessels at Sea, or in a Unit of the Latvian
National Armed Forces located in the Territory of a Foreign Country
(1) An investigation shall be performed on seagoing vessels at sea by the captain of the vessel,
and an investigation shall be performed in a unit of the Latvian National Armed Forces in the
territory of a foreign country by the commander of such unit, in accordance with the procedures
and terms specified in this Law up to the moment when the materials of the criminal
proceedings may be transferred to the competent investigating institutions or the Office of the
Prosecutor of the Republic of Latvia.
(2) If the necessity arises to apply procedural compulsory measures, or to perform investigative
actions that are to be performed only on the basis of a decision of an investigating judge, the
captain of a vessel or the commander of a unit may propose such application or performance,
and receive such decision, by using technical means of communication.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 159
Section 400. Suspension of Criminal Proceedings in an Investigation
(1) If the necessary criminal procedural actions have been taken in criminal proceedings and
ascertaining of the person who has committed the criminal offence has not been successful, an
investigator may, with the consent of the supervising prosecutor, take a decision in the form of
a resolution on suspension of criminal proceedings.
(2) After suspension of criminal proceedings, investigative actions may be performed only
when such criminal proceedings have been renewed. If the grounds for suspending criminal
proceedings has ceased to exist, criminal proceedings shall be renewed by a decision of the
person directing the proceedings, taken in the form of a resolution. A decision shall not be
subject to appeal.
[20 June 2018]
Section 401. Completion of an Investigation
(1) An investigator shall complete an investigation:
1) by proposing the commencement of criminal prosecution with a decision in writing,
and transferring the materials of the criminal case to a prosecutor;
2) by transferring the materials of a criminal case to a prosecutor for the commencement
of criminal prosecution on the basis of his or her initiative;
3) by taking a decision to terminate criminal proceedings;
4) by proposing to continue proceedings with a decision in writing for the determination
of compulsory measure of medical nature and transferring the materials of the criminal case to
a prosecutor.
(2) An investigator shall indicate the following in a decision:
1) [20 June 2018];
2) the qualification of the criminal offence;
3) the given name, surname, personal identity number, and notified place of residence
of the person to be held criminally liable;
4) the list of evidence;
5) procedural expenditures.
(3) [12 March 2009]
(4) The decisions referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2 and 4 of this Section shall not be
subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 June 2018]
Chapter 33 Criminal Prosecution
Section 402. Grounds for Holding a Person Criminally Liable
A person shall be held criminally liable, if the evidence gathered in an investigation
indicates the guilt of such person in the criminal offence being investigated, and the prosecutor
is convinced that the evidence confirms such guilt.
[21 October 2010]
Section 403. Commencement of Criminal Prosecution
(1) A prosecutor – person directing the proceedings may commence criminal prosecution:
1) if he or she has received a decision of an investigator regarding the necessity for the
commencement of criminal prosecution;
2) on the basis of his or her initiative, removing the criminal proceedings from the
records of the investigator.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 160
(2) A prosecutor shall commence criminal prosecution, by taking a decision to hold a person
criminally liable, within 10 days after he or she has received the materials of the criminal case
from an investigating institution.
(3) If a prosecutor cannot discern the grounds for holding a person criminally liable, he or she
shall perform one of the following operations:
1) withdraw a decision and return the criminal case to an investigating institution for the
continuation of an investigation, indicating the necessity for conducting specific procedural
actions;
2) take a decision to terminate criminal proceedings against the specific person, and
send the criminal case to an investigating institution in order to ascertain the guilty person;
3) take a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, determining the circumstances
indicated in Section 377 or 379 of this Law.
(4) [20 June 2018]
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014; 20 June 2018]
Section 404. Revocation of Procedural Immunity for the Commencement of Criminal
Prosecution
If this Law does not specify otherwise, a prosecutor, having discerned the grounds for
holding a person criminally liable for whom the law has specified immunity from criminal
proceedings, shall turn to the competent authority with a proposal to permit the criminal
prosecution of such person. A reference regarding evidence that justifies the guilt of a person
the immunity of which is asked to be revoked, shall be attached to the proposal.
[12 March 2009]
Section 405. Decision to Hold a Person Criminally Liable (Prosecution)
(1) The following shall be indicated in a decision to hold a person criminally liable (hereinafter
also – the prosecution):
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the person to be held
criminally liable;
2) the factual circumstances determining legal qualification for each incriminated
criminal offence;
3) legal classification of the offence;
4) persons who have suffered as a result of the criminal offence;
5) other persons who are being held criminally liable regarding joint participation or
participation in the committing of the same criminal offence.
(2) If the criminal offences have been formed in conceptual aggregation, that which is referred
to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be indicated together regarding all of the criminal
offences committed in such aggregation.
(3) A decision to hold a person criminally liable shall not be subject to appeal.
[20 June 2018]
Section 405.1 Issues to be Decided if the Ruling Made in an Administrative Violation Case
Ceases to be in Effect due to Holding of a Person Criminally Liable
(1) If a ruling made in an administrative violation case or a part thereof ceases to be in effect
due to a decision to hold a person criminally liable, the prosecutor shall take a decision on the
action with the property removed or confiscated in the administrative violation case and other
restrictions of the rights.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 161
(2) The sums of money collected and paid shall not be reimbursed, however, a decision shall
be taken to reimburse them or take them into account when determining the punishment, upon
preparation of a final ruling.
(3) The prosecutor shall notify the institution which made the initial ruling, and the person
whose interests and rights are affected by the ruling, regarding the ceasing to be in effect of the
ruling made in an administrative violation case.
[18 February 2016]
Section 406. Issuance of Prosecution
(1) After a decision has been taken to hold a person criminally liable, a prosecutor shall
immediately:
1) issue a copy of the prosecution to the accused, after having become convinced of the
personal identity of him or her, and explain the essence of the prosecution;
2) issue to the accused written information regarding the rights of an accused;
3) ensure for the accused the opportunity to summon a defence counsel, if such defence
counsel has not already been summoned;
4) ascertain whether the accused has a defence counsel, or if there are grounds for
requesting the assistance of a defence counsel with the funds of the Sate, or if the participation
of a defence counsel is mandatory;
5) ascertain whether the accused has requests, whether he or she wishes to provide
testimony, and whether he or she has proposals regarding the application of agreement
proceedings.
(2) An accused shall sign regarding the fact that he or she has received a copy of the prosecution,
and written information regarding his or her rights, on the decision to hold him or her criminally
liable, and shall indicate the date.
(3) If an accused refuses to sign, a prosecutor shall record such refusal in the decision, indicating
the date when the copy of the prosecution, and written information regarding the rights of the
accused, was issued to such accused.
(4) If the representative and defence counsel of an accused are present at the moment of the
issuance of a copy of the prosecution, such representative and defence counsel shall also sign
the decision to hold such person criminally liable.
(5) If an accused may not appear before a prosecutor due to a justifiable reason, the prosecutor,
by common accord, may transfer a copy of the prosecution, and written information regarding
the rights of an accused, to the accused personally, through the intermediation of the defence
counsel or representative of the accused, with the assistance of a courier, or by post to the
address for the receipt of consignments notified by such accused.
(6) If the whereabouts of an accused are known, but he or she is evading appearance on the
basis of a summons of a prosecutor, a copy of the prosecution shall be issued to the accused
after conveyance by force of him or her, or sent by post to the address for the receipt of
consignments notified by such accused.
(7) If a search for an accused has been announced, a copy of the prosecution, and written
information regarding the rights of an accused, shall immediately be issued after receipt of a
written report regarding the detention or placing under arrest of the accused.
(8) The accused who does not understand the language in which a prosecution has been written
shall be provided with a translation of the prosecution in a language comprehensible to him or
her. A written translation of the prosecution shall be provided before completion of pre-trial
criminal proceedings.
(9) If an accused is hiding in another state and a search for him or her has been announced, a
copy of the prosecution shall be issued simultaneously with the report of the official extradition
request.
[23 May 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 162
Section 407. Interrogation of an Accused
A prosecutor may interrogate an accused immediately after issuance of a copy of the
prosecution to such accused, or, if an accused requests a term in order to prepare for defence,
in a mutually co-ordinated reasonable term.
Section 408. Modification of a Prosecution
(1) If a prosecutor, after he or she has issued a decision to an accused on holding of the person
criminally liable, has new grounds to supplement such decision or he or she has obtained
additional evidence, or if the factual circumstances of the criminal offence have changed and,
as a result thereof, the modification of the decision is necessary, the prosecutor shall write a
new decision to hold the relevant person criminally liable, and shall issue a copy of such new
decision to the accused.
(2) If a prosecution has not been approved regarding a criminal offence regarding which a
person is being held criminally liable, a prosecutor shall terminate criminal prosecution in such
part with a decision, and he or she shall immediately send a copy of the decision to the person
against whom the criminal prosecution has been terminated.
[21 October 2010]
Section 409. Search for an Accused
(1) In suspending criminal proceedings in accordance with Section 378, Paragraph one, Clause
2 of this Law, a prosecutor shall immediately take a decision on a search for an accused. If
necessary, a prosecutor may take a decision to apply a security measure to an accused, or
regarding the modification of such decision.
(2) A prosecutor shall send a copy of a decision on a search for an accused, and a decision to
apply a security measure, to the persons performing investigative field work within the
competence thereof for execution.
[12 March 2009]
Section 410. Termination of Criminal Proceedings against a Person who has Substantially
Assisted in the Disclosure of a Serious or Especially Serious Crime
(1) The Prosecutor General may terminate criminal proceedings, with a decision thereof, against
a person who has substantially assisted in the disclosure of a serious or especially serious crime
that is more serious or dangerous than a criminal offence committed by such person himself or
herself.
(2) The specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall not be applied to a person who is being
held criminally liable for the committing of a particularly serious criminal offence provided for
in Sections 116, 117, 118, 125, 159, 160, 176, 190.1, 251, 252, and 253.1 of The Criminal Law
or who him or herself has established or led an organised group or gang.
(3) An action with the criminally acquired property shall be indicated and the issue regarding
the compensation for harm to a victim shall be decided in a decision to terminate criminal
proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 163
Section 411. Forms for the Completion of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
A prosecutor may complete pre-trial criminal proceedings:
1) by taking the decision to transfer the criminal case to a court and submitting the
criminal case to the court on the basis of jurisdiction;
2) by taking the decision to transfer the criminal case to a court in accordance with
urgent procedures;
3) [20 June 2018];
4) by entering into an agreement with the accused and transferring the criminal case to
a court;
5) by applying to the accused a penal order;
6) by terminated criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability;
7) by taking a decision to terminate criminal proceedings;
8) by taking a decision and transferring the criminal case to a court for the determination
of compulsory measures of a medical or correctional nature.
[20 June 2018]
Section 412. Completion of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings by Transferring a Case to a
Court
(1) In order to suspend a prosecution in court, a prosecutor, having recognised evidence as
sufficient, shall draw up a list of the materials of a criminal case and archive file to be transferred
to the court.
(2) A prosecutor shall include materials that are applicable to a specific criminal offence, and
that will be used in court as evidence, in a criminal case to be transferred to the court, and shall
include materials that will not be used as evidence in an archive file.
(3) In completing proceedings, a prosecutor shall:
1) issue to the accused or his or her defence counsel copies of the materials of the
criminal case to be transferred to the court, which apply to the prosecution indicted for him or
her or his or her personality, if such materials have not already been issued, or acquaint with
these materials with the consent of a prosecutor;
2) issue to accused or his or her defence counsel a list of the materials transferred to the
archives;
3) [19 January 2006];
4) notify the accused or his or her defence counsel that the accused shall submit to the
prosecutor, immediately after receipt of copies of the materials of the criminal case or becoming
acquainted with the materials of the criminal case, information regarding the fact that he or she
wishes for the participation of a defence counsel in the trial of a case whose persons, on the
basis of the views of the accused, should be summoned to the court hearing, or regarding
whether the accused agrees to the possibility that the criminal case is tried in prosecution, or in
the permanent part thereof, without a verification of evidence.
(4) If an accused, or, in cases of compulsory assistance of counsel, also his or her representative
or defence counsel, agrees to the possibility that a criminal case be examined in prosecution, or
in the permanent part thereof, without a verification of evidence, a prosecutor shall write up a
protocol regarding such consent, indicating therein whether the accused has agreed to the non-
performance of a verification of evidence in the entire amount of the prosecution or in a specific
part thereof, and shall explain to the accused the procedural essence and consequences of such
consent.
(5) A prosecutor shall issue to a victim, on the basis of an application of such victim, copies of
the materials of a case that applies to a criminal offence in which the person has been recognised
as a victim in criminal proceedings or acquaint with these materials of the criminal case with
the consent of a prosecutor.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 164
(6) Copies of findings of forensic-medicine, court-psychiatric, and court-psychological expert-
examinations shall not be issued, but the possibility for familiarising oneself with such expert-
examinations shall be ensured. Out of the aforementioned findings, only the information
referred to in Section 203, Paragraph two, Clauses 1–5 and 9–10 of this Law may be copied.
(61) Copies of audio or video recordings in which testimony of a minor who has the right to
defence, victims or witnesses are recorded, shall not be issued, however, a possibility to become
acquainted with them shall be ensured.
(7) In familiarising himself or herself with copies of received materials of the criminal case, an
accused has the right to use the assistance of an interpreter free of charge.
(8) If an accused becomes acquainted with the materials of the criminal case to be transferred
to a court or receives copies thereof, as well as if an accused refuses the right to become
acquainted with the materials of the criminal case or to receive copies thereof, a prosecutor shall
write a protocol regarding this.
(9) [19 January 2006]
(10) After issuing of a copy of the materials of a criminal case or becoming acquainted with the
materials of the criminal case and the receipt of information referred to in Paragraph three,
Clause 4 of this Section from the accused, a prosecutor shall take a decision to transfer the
criminal case to a court.
(11) Upon the application of an accused, defence counsel, victim or representative a prosecutor
shall ensure the possibility for him or her to become acquainted with the materials of the
archives file and receive the copies of necessary materials making a note thereof in the archives
file and notifying a court thereof.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 21 October 2010; 18 February 2016;
27 September 2018]
Section 413. Decision to Transfer a Criminal Case to a Court
(1) A prosecutor shall indicate the following in a decision to transfer a criminal case to a court:
1) information regarding the accused person, his or her declared place of residence and
place of employment;
2) the criminal offence regarding the committing of which the person is being
prosecuted and regarding which the case is being transferred to the court;
3) the qualification of the criminal offence;
4) [12 March 2009];
5) the testimony of the accused person;
6) the listing of evidence to be used in court;
7) the applied security measure and the end time thereof;
8) the amount of victims and compensation;
9) the seizure of the property;
10) the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the liability of the accused;
11) the number of pages in the criminal case;
12) procedural expenditures.
(2) A list of the material evidence and documents shall be attached to a decision, as well as a
list of the persons who are to be summoned to a court hearing on the basis of the views of the
prosecution and the defence. Only the list that is sent to the court shall indicate the addresses of
the person to be summoned to court.
(3) A prosecutor shall immediately send a decision together with the materials of a criminal
case to a court.
(4) A prosecutor shall inform an accused and victim, or the representatives thereof, regarding
the taking of a decision, and the sending of a criminal case to a court, by sending such person a
copy of the decision, a copy of the list of the material evidence and documents, as well as a
copy of the list of the persons who are to be summoned to a court hearing and information
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 165
regarding the rights and obligations thereof in court, as well as by indicating the court to which
the criminal case has been sent. The prosecutor shall inform the owner of property affected
during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized of taking the decision and sending
the criminal case to a court. If the accused does not know the official language in which a
decision has been written, the prosecutor shall ensure a translation of the decision in a language
understood by such accused. Concurrently with sending of the abovementioned documents a
specially protected victim shall also be informed of the right to submit a request to the court
within 10 days after receipt of the documents that his or her participation or hearing in a court
hearing would take place, using technical means.
(5) A decision to transfer a criminal case to a court shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) The submitted requests and complaints, which a prosecutor has received after completion
of a pre-trial criminal proceedings, shall be sent to a court.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 23 May 2013; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017;
20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 414. Decision to Terminate Criminal Proceedings
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 34 Special Features of Pre-trial Proceedings in Terminating Criminal
Proceedings, Conditionally Releasing from Criminal Liability
Section 415. Termination of Criminal Proceedings, Conditionally Releasing from
Criminal Liability
(1) If a prosecutor, taking into account the nature of and harm caused by a committed criminal
offence, personal characterising data, and other conditions of a case, achieves conviction that
an accused will hereinafter not commit criminal offences, the prosecutor may terminate
criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability.
(2) In order to obtain personal characterising data, a prosecutor may request an evaluation report
from the State Probation Service.
(3) The termination of criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability,
shall be allowed only if:
1) a person is prosecuted regarding the committing of a criminal violation or a less
serious crime;
2) a person has not previously been punished regarding an intentional criminal offence;
3) criminal proceedings have not been terminated against a person, conditionally
releasing from criminal liability, within the last five years;
4) a higher-ranking prosecutor agrees to the termination of such proceedings.
(4) The termination of criminal proceedings shall be allowed only with the voluntarily and
clearly expressed consent of the accused.
(5) In terminating criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability, a
prosecutor shall determine a probationary supervision period in accordance with that specified
in The Criminal Law.
(6) In terminating criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability, the
person directing the proceedings may impose on the accused the obligations provided for in
The Criminal Law.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 166
Section 415.1 Termination of Criminal Proceedings, Conditionally Releasing from
Criminal Liability for a Serious Crime
(1) If the circumstances referred to in Section 415 of this Law exist, the chief prosecutor may,
based on a consent of a higher-level prosecutor, terminate criminal proceedings by
conditionally releasing the person who has been accused of committing a serious crime and
who has substantially assisted in the disclosure of a serious or especially serious crime that is
more serious or dangerous than the criminal offence committed by such person from criminal
liability.
(2) The specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall not be applied to a person who is being
held criminally liable for the committing of a particularly serious criminal offence provided for
in Sections 125, 159, 160, 176, 190.1, 251, 252 and 253.1 of The Criminal Law or who him or
herself has organised a crime.
[12 March 2009]
Section 416. Decision to Terminate Criminal Proceedings, Conditionally Releasing from
Criminal Liability
A prosecutor shall indicate the following in a decision to terminate criminal
proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability:
1) the criminal offence regarding the committing of which a person has been prosecuted;
2) the justification for termination of criminal proceedings;
3) the probationary supervision period;
4) the duties imposed on the accused person;
5) the authority to which the controlling of the behaviour of the relevant person has been
assigned;
6) the revocation of an applied security measure.
Section 417. Familiarisation with a Decision and the Materials of a Criminal Case
(1) A copy of a decision shall be issued to the person in relation to whom criminal proceedings
are being terminated, conditionally releasing from criminal liability, and the consequences of
such termination of criminal proceedings shall be explained to such person and he or she shall
be notified regarding his or her rights to familiarise with the materials of the criminal case. The
person shall certify with a signature thereof that he or she agrees to the qualification of the
criminal offence and voluntarily undertakes the execution of the duties referred to in the
decision.
(2) A prosecutor shall send to a victim a copy of a decision to terminate criminal proceedings,
conditionally releasing from criminal liability, and notify regarding his or her rights to
familiarise himself or herself with the materials of the criminal case and appeal the taken
decision to the next higher-ranking prosecutor.
(3) A decision shall enter into effect, if a victim has not appealed a report within 10 days after
receipt thereof, or his or her complaint has been rejected. A decision of a higher-ranking
prosecutor shall not be subject to appeal.
(4) After coming into force of a decision a copy thereof shall, within three working days, be
sent to the institution which is performing the execution of such decision.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 167
Section 418. Consequences of the Termination of Criminal Proceedings, Conditionally
Releasing from Criminal Liability
(1) A decision to terminate criminal proceedings in full amount shall enter into effect after
termination of the probationary supervision period and the execution of specific duties.
(2) If a person fulfils imposed duties and does not commit a new intentional criminal offence
during the probationary supervision period, it shall be considered that criminal proceedings
against such person have been terminated and may not be renewed against such person
regarding the same offence, except the special cases provided for in this Law.
(3) Criminal proceedings regarding the same offence in relation to a person against whom such
proceedings were terminated, conditionally releasing from criminal liability, may be renewed
only in the following cases:
1) the person has not fulfilled the duties imposed on him or her;
2) the person has committed a new intentional criminal offence during the probationary
supervision period;
3) a prosecutor has taken a decision in a conflict of interest situation;
4) the person has influenced testifying persons, with an illegal activity thereof, to
provide false testimony or has otherwise falsified evidence;
5) new circumstances have been disclosed that were unknown to the prosecutor at the
moment of the taking of the decision, and which confirm that the person has actually committed
a serious or especially serious crime that, as a result of the lack of knowledge of such
circumstances, has been incorrectly qualified as a criminal violation or a less serious crime.
(4) The Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior shall store information regarding the
termination of criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability.
[20 December 2012]
Section 419. Supervision of the Termination of Criminal Proceedings, Conditionally
Releasing from Criminal Liability
(1) A prosecutor who has taken a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally
releasing from criminal liability, shall make a note in the decision, after termination of the
probationary period and on the basis of the behaviour of the person and information provided
by a controlling authority, regarding the execution of conditions and the entering into effect of
the decision in full amount.
(2) If the circumstances referred to in Section 418, Paragraph three of this Law have been
determined, a prosecutor shall revoke a decision, renew criminal proceedings, and direct such
proceedings in conformity with the conditions of this Law regarding pre-trial criminal
proceedings.
[20 December 2012]
Chapter 35 Special Features of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings, Applying the
Prosecutor’s Penal Order
Section 420. Admissibility of the Application of a Prosecutor’s Penal Order
(1) If a person has committed a criminal violation, a less serious crime or a serious crime for
which the punishment of deprivation of liberty up to five years is provided for, and a prosecutor,
taking into account the nature of and harm caused by the committed criminal offence, the
personal characterising data, and other circumstances of the case, has reached the conviction
that a punishment of deprivation of liberty should not be applied to such person, yet such person
may not be left without a punishment, he or she may end the criminal proceedings, drawing up
a penal order. A penal order of the prosecutor, if the person has committed a serious crime for
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 168
which the punishment of deprivation of liberty of up to five years is provided, may be drawn
up, if a higher-ranking prosecutor agrees thereto.
(2) In order to obtain personal characterising data, a prosecutor may request an evaluation report
from the State Probation Service.
(3) If one person has committed several criminal offences, a penal order may be applied only
regarding all of the criminal offences thereof.
(4) If several persons have been prosecuted regarding one criminal offence, a penal order may
be applied to a person for whom such application is possible in accordance with this Law.
(5) A prosecutor shall draw up a penal order, if an accused admits his or her guilt, has
compensated the harm caused to a victim, as well as has reimbursed the compensation disbursed
by the State and agrees to the completion of criminal proceedings by applying a punishment to
him or her. If the accused has not compensated the harm caused to the victim and it does not
exceed the amount of one minimum monthly wage, the prosecutor may draw up a penal order,
if the accused agrees with the claimed amount of compensation.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 20 December 2012; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018]
Section 421. Prosecutor’ Penal Order
(1) If a prosecutor has found that criminal proceedings may be completed by determining a
punishment for a person, he or she shall draw up a penal order of the prosecutor which shall
include the decision to terminate criminal proceedings and the operative part of which shall
indicate the punishment, the decision on the compensation for harm to the victim and its
recovery, specifying a time period for the voluntary payment of the compensation for harm –
30 days from the day of entering into effect of the penal order.
(2) The prosecutor may apply a fine or community service to the accused in his or her penal
order, as well as additional punishments – restriction of rights or probationary supervision – as
defined in The Criminal Law.
(21) The prosecutor shall additionally indicate information regarding the punishment execution
institution and arrival deadline in its penal order.
(3) [18 February 2016]
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 8 July 2011; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018;
27 September 2018]
Section 422. Familiarisation with the Materials of a Criminal Case
(1) Copy of a penal order shall be issued to the person against whom criminal proceedings are
being completed by such prosecutor’s penal order, and the consequences of the completion of
criminal proceedings shall be explained to such person. The person shall sign that he or she
agrees to the qualification of the criminal offence and undertakes the execution of the
punishment determined in the penal order. The accused may express his or her consent
immediately or within five working days from the day of the receipt of the copies. A consent
may not be revoked.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall send to a victim a copy of a penal order, and shall
inform such victim regarding his or her rights to familiarise himself or herself with the materials
of the criminal case, as well as to appeal a taken decision within 10 days after receipt of the
report. If a victim who is not fluent in the official language and whose permanent place of
residence is in a foreign country has applied a request to receive a written translation of the
penal order, the person directing the proceedings shall send a written translation of the
abovementioned order to the victim.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 169
Section 423. Consequences of a Prosecutor’s Penal Order
(1) [12 March 2009]
(2) If a person has agreed to a penal order, yet does not execute such punishment, the authority
responsible for the execution of the punishment shall propose, in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this Law, a matter regarding the replacement of the punishment in
accordance with procedures provided for by law.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009]
Chapter 36 Special Features of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings in Accordance with
Urgent Procedures
[20 June 2018]
Section 424. Admissibility of the Application of Urgent Procedures
The person directing the proceedings may apply urgent procedures if:
1) the person who committed the criminal offence has been ascertained;
2) the person has committed a criminal violation, a less serious crime, or a serious crime;
3) the investigation may be completed within the time period and in the amount provided
for urgent procedures.
[20 June 2018]
Section 425. Progress of an Investigation in Accordance with Urgent Procedures
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall do the following after commencement of an
investigation:
1) ascertain the circumstances of the committed criminal offence;
2) ascertain the victim of the criminal offence;
3) ascertain the nature and amount of harm caused by the criminal offence;
4) recognise the person as a suspect;
5) acquire testimonies;
6) if necessary, conduct other procedural actions.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall, without delay, but not later than within 10 days
or, in cases when an expert-examination must be conducted, not later than within 30 days from
initiation of criminal proceedings, shall submit the case materials with a cover letter to the
prosecutor.
(3) If criminal proceedings are not transferred to the prosecutor within the time period specified
in this Section, the investigation is continued in accordance with general procedures.
[20 June 2018]
Section 425.1 Minutes of an Urgent Procedure
(1) When applying the urgent procedure, the person directing the proceedings may include the
procedural actions and the established information in one procedural document – minutes of an
urgent procedure.
(2) The following shall be indicated in the minutes:
1) information regarding the person directing the proceedings or, if the procedural action
is performed by another official, he or she shall be indicated in the minutes next to the relevant
action;
2) the decision in the form of a resolution on initiation of criminal proceedings;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 170
3) information regarding the circumstances of the criminal offence, the nature and
amount of the harm caused as a result of the criminal offence, and the qualification of the
criminal offence;
4) the decision in the form of a resolution on the recognition of the person as a suspect,
including the information indicated in Section 398.1, Paragraph one of this Law, insofar as such
information has not already been included in the minutes of an urgent procedure, as well as
decisions in the form of a resolution which are related to the representation of the detained
person;
5) information regarding the notification of the decision taken, issuance of written
information regarding the rights and obligations, as well as explanation of the rights to the
suspect in the cases provided for in the law;
6) postal or electronic address of the suspect for the receipt of registered consignments;
7) consent of the person to be recognised as a victim, the decision in the form of a
resolution on the recognition of the person as a victim, decisions in the form of a resolution
which are related to the representation of the victim, issuance of written information regarding
the rights and obligations, as well as explanation of the rights to the victim in the cases provided
for in the law;
8) the amount of the compensation for harm claimed by the victim;
9) testimonies given by persons;
10) other information acquired during procedural actions regarding the facts which are
of significance for taking a decision in the case.
(3) The involved person shall be made acquainted with the section of the minutes which is
applicable to the procedural action related to this person, and he or she shall sign the relevant
section of the minutes.
(4) The procedural action shall be recorded in accordance with general procedures, if its
recording in accordance with urgent procedures in the minutes is impossible or hindered.
[20 June 2018]
Section 426. Activities of the Prosecutor upon Receipt of Criminal Proceedings in
Accordance with Urgent Procedures
(1) Upon receipt of criminal proceedings in accordance with urgent procedures, the prosecutor
shall decide on the manner in which the pre-trial criminal proceedings will be completed.
(2) Upon continuing the criminal proceedings in accordance with urgent procedures, the
prosecutor shall, without delay, but not later than within 10 days after receipt of the materials
of criminal proceedings, take the decision to transfer the case to a court.
(3) If the prosecutor believes that the investigation has not collected sufficient evidence for the
person to be held criminally liable, he or she shall return the materials with a cover note to the
investigating institution for the continuation of investigation by indicating the necessity to take
specific procedural actions.
[20 June 2018]
Section 427. Decision to Transfer a Criminal Case to a Court in Accordance with Urgent
Procedures
(1) A prosecutor shall indicate the following in a decision to transfer a criminal case to a court
in accordance with urgent procedures:
1) the person having the right to defence (given name, surname, personal identity
number, notified place of residence and place of employment);
2) the criminal offence regarding the committing of which a person is being prosecuted
and transferred to a court;
3) the qualification of the criminal offence;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 171
4) the evidence to be used in court;
5) the circumstances aggravating and mitigating the liability;
6) the applied security measure;
7) the amount of victims and compensation;
8) the place and time of the trial of the case.
(2) A prosecutor shall determine the time for the trial of the case by co-ordinating such time
with the court, however, the time period until the court hearing may not exceed 10 days,
counting from the day when a copy of the decision was issued to the accused.
(3) A list of material evidence and documents shall be attached to a decision, as well as a list of
the persons who are to be summoned to a court hearing on the basis of the views of the
prosecution and the defence. Concurrently the prosecutor shall invite the persons to be
summoned to the court hearing.
(4) A taken decision to transfer a criminal case to a court shall simultaneously be recognised
also as a decision to hold a person criminally liable.
(5) A copy of the decision together with copies of the case materials shall be issued, without
delay, to the accused or he or she shall be made acquainted with such materials with the consent
of the prosecutor. If the accused does not know the language in which the decision has been
written, such person shall be provided with a written translation of the decision in a language
comprehensible to him or her. A copy of the decision shall also be issued to the victim.
(6) After issuance of a copy of the decision to the accused, a prosecutor shall record information,
in writing, regarding the attitude of the accused towards the prosecution, the fact whether the
accused wishes that a defence counsel or interpreter participates in the trial of the case and
whether he or she agrees to the possibility that the criminal case is examined without the
verification of evidence.
(7) After issuance of a copy of a decision, a prosecutor shall send the taken decision and
materials of the criminal case to a court.
(8) The decision to transfer a criminal case to a court in accordance with urgent procedures shall
not be subject to appeal.
(9) After sending of a case to a court all requests and complaints shall be sent directly to the
court.
[20 June 2018]
Chapter 37 Special Features of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings in Accordance with
Summary Procedures
[20 June 2018]
Section 428. Admissibility of the Application of Summary Procedures
[20 June 2018]
Section 429. Direction of an Investigation in Accordance with Summary Procedures
[20 June 2018]
Section 430. Operations of a Prosecutor in Pre-trial Summary Proceedings
[20 June 2018]
Section 431. Decision to Transfer a Criminal Case to a Court in Accordance with
Summary Procedures
[20 June 2018]
Section 432. Familiarisation with Case Materials in Summary Proceedings
[20 June 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 172
Chapter 38 Application of an Agreement in Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
Section 433. Grounds for the Application of an Agreement
(1) A prosecutor may enter into an agreement, on the basis of his or her own initiative or the
initiative of an accused or his or her defence counsel, regarding an admission of guilt and a
punishment, if circumstances have been ascertained that apply to an object of evidence, and the
accused agrees to the amount and qualification of his or her incriminating offence, an
assessment of the harm caused by such offence, and the application of agreement proceedings.
(2) Agreement proceedings may not be applied, if there are several accused persons in one
criminal proceedings and if an agreement regarding an admission of guilt and a punishment
may not be applied to all the accused persons.
Section 434. Negotiations regarding the Entering into of an Agreement
(1) If, in pursuing a prosecution or continuing criminal prosecution, a prosecutor considers as
possible the entering into an agreement, he or she shall perform the following operations:
1) explain to an accused, or the representative of an accused who is a minor, the
possibility to regulate criminal-legal relations by entering into an agreement, and the rights of
the accused in entering into an agreement, and the consequences of such entering into of an
agreement;
2) inform a victim regarding his or her rights to express his or her views regarding the
possible application of agreement proceedings.
(2) Having received the consent of an accused, or of the representative of an accused who is a
minor, to enter into an agreement, a prosecutor shall prepare a draft of the agreement and
commence negotiations with the accused, his or her defence counsel, or the representative of
the accused who is a minor regarding the elements of the agreement.
(3) If an accused, or the representative of an accused who is a minor, agrees to a prosecution
that has been pursued and issued, the qualification of the criminal offence, and the assessment
of the harm caused by such offence, negotiations shall be commenced regarding the type and
amount of a punishment, which a prosecutor will request for a court to impose.
Section 435. Rights of an Accused in Agreement Proceedings
(1) An accused has the following rights in agreement proceedings:
1) to agree or not agree to the entering into an agreement;
2) to submit a recusal;
3) to express his or her proposal regarding the type and amount of a punishment;
4) to receive copies of the materials of the criminal case after entering into an agreement;
5) to be informed of the criminal offence regarding the committing of which he or she
will be prosecuted in court, and the type and amount of punishment that the prosecutor will
request for the court to impose;
6) to participate in examination of the agreement in court;
7) to provide explanation regarding the course of the agreement;
71) to submit objections against trial of a case in a written procedure;
8) to refuse the entered into agreement up to the moment where the court retires to the
deliberation room in order to make a ruling;
9) to appeal the ruling;
10) to acquaint himself or herself with the minutes of the court hearing;
11) to receive the legal assistance of a defence counsel.
[24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 173
Section 436. Rights of a Victim in Agreement Proceedings
(1) If criminal proceedings are continued as agreement proceedings, the person directing the
proceedings – prosecutor shall issue to a victim a copy of the minutes of the agreement.
(2) A victim has the following rights:
1) to submit a recusal;
2) to receive information in a timely manner regarding where and when a court will
examine an agreement;
3) to participate in examination of the agreement in court;
4) to express his or her objections to the approval of the agreement;
41) to submit objections against trial of a case in a written procedure;
5) to submit a cassation complaint regarding violations of the procedures of agreement
proceedings or violation of the norms of The Criminal Law;
6) to participate in examination of a case in a cassation court in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 101 of this Law.
[24 May 2012]
Section 437. Minutes of an Agreement
(1) The minutes of an agreement shall indicate the following:
1) the place and date of the occurrence of the operation;
2) the position, given name, and surname of the performer of the procedural action;
3) the given name, surname, and personal identity number (or, if such personal identity
number does not exist, the year and date of birth) of an accused or the representative of an
accused – minor person, and the given name, surname, and place of practice of a defence
counsel;
4) the time and place of the committing of the criminal offence, and a short description
of such offence;
5) the qualification of the criminal offence;
6) the amount of harm caused by the criminal offence, and an agreement regarding the
compensation of such harm;
7) the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the liability of the accused;
8) information regarding the accused person;
9) the punishment that a prosecutor will request for the court to impose.
(2) If an accused has committed several criminal offences, a prosecutor shall indicate the
punishment that he or she will request to be imposed regarding each of the criminal offence,
and the final punishment. Such provision shall also be complied with in cases where a
punishment is determined for an accused based on several judgments.
(3) An agreement shall be signed by an accused, a defence counsel, the representative of an
accused – minor person, and a prosecutor, and a copy of such agreement shall be issued to the
accused or his or her representative.
Section 438. Sending of a Criminal Case to a Court
(1) After entering into an agreement, a prosecutor shall send the materials of a criminal case
together with the minutes of the agreement to a court, proposing for such court to approve the
entered into agreement.
(2) In a proposal to a court, a prosecutor shall:
1) inform regarding an entered into agreement;
2) inform regarding a security measure applied to an accused;
3) refer to evidence that confirms the committing of a criminal offence and the guilt of
the accused;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 174
4) indicate the amount of harm caused by the criminal offence, and an agreement
regarding the compensation of such harm;
5) inform regarding the expenditures of pre-trial proceedings;
6) refer to material evidence, the location thereof, and resources that have been used for
the ensuring of compensation and of a possible confiscation of property;
7) request for the court to approve the entered into agreement and impose the
punishment provided for in such agreement.
(3) A prosecutor shall inform an accused, his or her defence counsel, a victim, and the
representatives thereof in writing regarding the court to which a case has been sent.
(4) After sending of a case to a court, all requests and complaints shall be sent directly to the
court.
Chapter 39 Special Features of Pre-trial Criminal Proceeding Applying Coercive
Measures to a Legal Person
Section 439. Procedures for Criminal Proceedings
(1) If it has been ascertained during the course of criminal proceedings that, most likely, there
are grounds for the application of a coercive measure, the person directing the proceedings shall
take a reasoned decision that proceedings are initiated for the application of a coercive measure
to a legal person. The person directing the proceedings shall notify the relevant legal person by
sending a copy of the decision, as well as informing regarding the rights and duties thereof.
(2) Proceedings for the application of a coercive measure to a legal person shall take place
within the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated in accordance with the procedures
laid down in this Law.
(3) The person directing the proceedings may, by means of a decision, isolate the proceedings
regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person in separate records in the
following cases:
1) the criminal proceedings against a natural person are terminated on the basis of
reasons other than exoneration;
2) circumstances have been established that prevent clarifying whether a particular
natural person should be held criminally liable, or transfer of the criminal case to the court is
not possible in the nearest future (within a reasonable period of time) due to objective reasons;
3) in order to settle criminal legal relations in a timely manner with a natural person who
has the right to defence;
4) it is requested by the representative of the legal person.
(31) A procedurally authorised official may initiate proceedings for the application of a coercive
measure to a legal person also in cases when it has been refused to initiate criminal proceedings
or they have been terminated on the basis of non-exonerating circumstances, and the grounds
for initiating the proceedings against a legal person laid down in Paragraph one of this Section
have been ascertained.
(4) The decision by means the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to
a legal person are isolated in separate records shall be attached the copies of the materials of
the separated criminal case and their list.
(5) The decision by means of which the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive
measure to a legal person are isolated in separate records shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) Proceedings isolated in separate records regarding the application of a coercive measure to
a legal person or proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person
in the cases laid down in Paragraph 3.1 of this Section shall take place in conformity with the
general procedures laid down in this Law, unless it has been laid down otherwise in this Law.
[14 March 2013; 29 May 2014; 18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 175
Section 439.1 Decision to Initiate the Proceedings Regarding the Application of a Coercive
Measure to a Legal Person
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall indicate the following in the decision to initiate
the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person:
1) the circumstances of committing the criminal offence;
2) the legal qualification of the criminal offence;
3) the justification for the assumption that the criminal offence under investigation has
been, most likely, committed in the interests for the benefit of, or due to insufficient monitoring
or control by, the legal person;
4) the name, registration number and legal address of the legal person.
(2) The decision to initiate the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to
a legal person shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) If any of the circumstances referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Section
have changed during the investigation, the person directing the proceedings shall take a
decision. The legal person shall be notified regarding taking of such decision. The decision on
changes in the circumstances established during the proceedings regarding the application of a
coercive measure shall not be subject to appeal.
[14 March 2013]
Section 440. Circumstances to be Ascertained in Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
The following shall be ascertained in pre-trial proceedings for the application of
coercive measures to a legal person:
1) the circumstances of the committing of the criminal offence;
2) the status of the natural person, if such is known, in the authorities of the legal person;
3) the actual actions of the legal person;
4) the nature of the operations performed by the legal person, and the consequences
caused by such operations;
5) the measures taken by the legal person in order to prevent the committing of the
criminal offence;
6) the size, type of occupation, and financial situation of the legal person.
[14 March 2013]
Section 440.1 Completion of an Investigation if Proceedings Regarding the Application of
a Coercive Measure are Initiated
(1) Upon recommending the initiation of criminal prosecution or continuation of the
proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure (if the proceedings against a legal
person have been isolated in separate records or initiated on the basis of Section 439,
Paragraph 3.1 of this Law) and transferring the materials of the criminal case to the public
prosecutor, the investigator shall indicate in the relevant decision the circumstances referred to
in Section 440 of this Law in addition to the general requirements, and the justification for the
application of a coercive measure to a legal person, as well as the name, registration number
and legal address of the legal person.
(2) The decision of the investigator to continue the proceedings regarding the application of a
coercive measure to a legal person shall not be subject to appeal.
[14 March 2013; 18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 176
Section 441. Completion of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) In completing pre-trial proceedings and taking a decision to transfer a criminal case to a
court, a prosecutor shall indicate, in additional to general requirements, the circumstances
referred to in Section 440 of this Law that have been ascertained in the pre-trial proceedings,
and the grounds for the application of coercive measures to a legal person.
(2) If the proceedings against a legal person are isolated in separate records or initiated on the
basis of Section 439, Paragraph 3.1 of this Law, the public prosecutor shall, within 10 days after
receipt of a decision of the investigator to continue the proceedings regarding the application
of a coercive measure to a legal person and the materials of the proceedings, and the assessment
thereof, perform one of the following actions:
1) revoke the decision of the investigator to continue the proceedings regarding the
application of a coercive measure to a legal person and return the materials of the proceedings
to the investigating institution for performance of particular procedural actions;
2) revoke decisions of the investigator to isolate the criminal proceedings in separate
records and to continue the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a
legal person and return the materials of the proceedings to the investigating institution for the
continuation of the investigation, if the prosecutor does not agree to the continuation of the
proceedings since circumstances preventing it have been established, or considers that there are
no grounds for the continuation of the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive
measure;
3) take a decision to transfer the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive
measure to a legal person to the court, which is not subject to appeal;
4) draw up a penal order of a prosecutor regarding a coercive measure.
(3) By isolating the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal
person in separate records the prosecutor may terminate them by taking the decision referred to
in Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Section or the decision to terminate the proceedings regarding
the application of a coercive measure to a legal person or by drawing up a penal order of a
prosecutor regarding a coercive measure.
(4) A list of material evidence and documents and a list of the persons to be summoned to the
court hearing shall be attached to the decision to transfer to the court the proceedings regarding
the application of a coercive measure. The addresses of the persons to be summoned to the court
hearing shall be indicated only in the list to be sent to the court.
(5) After taking of the decision to transfer to the court the proceedings regarding the application
of a coercive measure to a legal person the prosecutor shall send a copy of the decision to the
legal person and the victim, explaining the right to receive copies of the materials of the
proceedings or to become familiar with these materials with the consent of the prosecutor within
10 days after the date of receipt of the decision.
(6) After performing the actions determined in Paragraphs four and five of this Section the
prosecutor shall send the decision and the materials of the proceedings to the court. The decision
and the materials of the proceedings shall also be sent to the court in case if the legal person or
the victim has not expressed a wish to receive copies of the materials of the proceedings or to
become familiar with them.
[14 March 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 441.1 Peculiarities of the Proceedings Regarding the Application of a Coercive
Measure to a Legal Person upon Application of a Prosecutor’s Penal Order
(1) If a criminal offence, a less serious crime or a serious crime for which the punishment of
deprivation of liberty up to five years is provided for, has been committed and the representative
of the legal person recognises the fact of committing of the criminal offence, the damage caused
to the victim has been compensated for and the representative agrees to the termination of the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 177
proceedings by the application of a coercive measure to the legal person, the prosecutor may
terminate the proceedings by drawing up a penal order regarding a coercive measure. The
prosecutorʼs penal order on a coercive measure, if a serious crime has been committed for which
the punishment of the deprivation of liberty for up to five years is provided, may be drawn up,
if a higher-ranking prosecutor agrees thereto.
(2) In the penal order regarding a coercive measure the prosecutor shall include the general
requirements related to the termination of criminal proceedings, indicate the circumstances
referred to in Section 440 of this Law and the grounds for the application of a coercive measure
to the legal person, indicating the type of the coercive measure in the operative part.
(3) In the penal order regarding a coercive measure the prosecutor may determine restriction of
the rights or recovery of money in accordance with The Criminal Law.
(4) A copy of a penal order of a prosecutor regarding a coercive measure shall be issued to the
legal person the proceedings against whom are terminated by the penal order, the person shall
be informed regarding the right to become familiar with the materials of the criminal case or
the isolated proceedings and the consequences of termination of the proceedings shall be
explained to the person. The representative of the legal person shall confirm with his or her
signature that he or she agrees with the qualification of the criminal offence. The representative
of the legal person may express his or her agreement either without delay or within five working
days after the date of receipt of the copies. Such agreement may not be withdrawn.
(5) The prosecutor shall send a copy of the penal order regarding a coercive measure to the
victim and notify of his or her right to become familiar with the materials of the criminal case
or the isolated proceedings, as well as the right to appeal the decision within 10 days after the
date of receipt of the notice.
[14 March 2013; 18 February 2016; 20 June 2018]
Section 441.2 Decision to Transfer the Proceedings Regarding the Application of a
Coercive Measure to a Legal Person to the Court
In the decision to transfer the proceedings regarding a coercive measure to a legal person
to the court the prosecutor shall, in addition to the general requirements, indicate the
circumstances referred to in Section 440 of this Law and the justification for the application of
a coercive measure, as well as the name, registration number and legal address of the legal
person.
[14 March 2013]
Section 441.3 Termination of Pre-trial Proceedings Regarding the Application of a
Coercive Measure to a Legal Person
(1) The person directing the proceedings may take a decision to terminate the application of a
coercive measure to a legal person, if the circumstances referred to in Section 377, Clause 1, 2,
3, 8 or 10 of this Law have been ascertained.
(2) An investigator with the consent of the supervising prosecutor or a prosecutor may take a
decision to terminate the application of a coercive measure to a legal person, if attempts to
prove that the criminal offence was committed in the interests, for the benefit or as a result of
insufficient supervision or control of the legal person and it is not possible to collect additional
evidence, have failed in pre-trial proceedings.
[29 May 2014]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 178
Section 441.4 Decision to Terminate Pre-trial Proceedings Regarding the Application of a
Coercive Measure to a Legal Person
(1) The following shall be indicated in a decision to terminate pre-trial proceedings regarding
the application of a coercive measure to a legal person:
1) the grounds for initiating the proceedings;
2) when and in relation to what criminal offence the proceedings were initiated;
3) the reason and grounds for terminating the proceedings;
4) the revocation of the seizure of the property;
5) actions with withdrawn objects and valuables;
6) the procedures for the appeal of the decision.
(2) If criminal proceedings and pre-trial proceedings regarding application of a coercive
measure are terminated concurrently, the decision shall be drawn up in accordance with that
laid down in Section 392.1, Paragraph 4.1 of this Law.
(3) A copy of the decision to terminate pre-trial proceedings shall be sent to the supervising
prosecutor without delay. A copy of the decision to terminate proceedings shall be sent or issued
to the victim and the legal person.
[29 May 2014]
Section 441.5 Renewal of the Terminated Pre-trial Proceedings Regarding the Application
of a Coercive Measure to a Legal Person
(1) A procedurally authorised person may renew terminated pre-trial proceedings regarding the
application of a coercive measure to a legal person, by revoking the decision on termination, if
it has been determined that lawful grounds for the taking of such decision did not exist, or if
new circumstances have been disclosed that were unknown to the person directing the
proceedings at the moment of taking the decision, and which have substantial significance in
taking of the decision.
(2) Pre-trial proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person may
be renewed, if limitation period of criminal liability has not set in.
[29 May 2014]
Section 441.6 Agreement in the Proceedings Regarding the Application of a Coercive
Measure to a Legal Person
(1) An agreement regarding a coercive measure may be entered into in the proceedings
regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person upon initiative of the
prosecutor or legal person, if:
1) the circumstances, which relate to the object of evidence, are ascertained;
2) the legal person recognises the fact of committing a criminal offence;
3) the legal person agrees to the amount, qualification of the offence, in relation to which
the coercive measure is applied, evaluation of the harm caused and application of the agreement.
(2) If a prosecutor considers as possible the entering into an agreement, he or she shall perform
the following actions:
1) explain to the legal person the possibility to regulate criminal-legal relations by
entering into an agreement, the rights of the person in entering into an agreement, and the
consequences of the agreement;
2) inform the victim regarding his or her rights to express his or her views regarding the
possible application of agreement.
(3) Having received a consent of the legal person to enter in an agreement, the prosecutor shall
prepare a draft agreement and initiate negotiations with the legal person regarding elements of
the agreement.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 179
(4) If the legal person agrees to the qualification of the criminal offence, in relation to which a
coercive measure is applied, and evaluation of the harm caused, negotiations regarding the type
and extent of the coercive measure, the imposition of which by the court will be requested by
the prosecutor, shall commence.
(5) A legal person has the following rights in the agreement process:
1) to agree or not agree to the entering into an agreement;
2) to submit a recusal;
3) to express his or her proposal regarding the type and amount of the coercive measure;
4) after entering into an agreement receive copies of the case materials, which are related
to the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure;
5) to be informed of the criminal offence for the committing of which a coercive
measure will be applied, and the type and amount of the coercive measure, the imposition of
which by the court will be requested by the prosecutor;
6) to participate in examination of the agreement in court;
7) to provide explanation regarding the course of the agreement;
8) to submit objections against trial of a case in a written procedure;
9) to refuse the entered into agreement up to the moment where the court retires to the
deliberation room in order to make a ruling;
10) to appeal the ruling;
11) to acquaint himself or herself with the minutes of the court hearing;
12) to receive the legal assistance of a defence counsel.
(6) A victim in the agreement process regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal
person shall have the rights laid down in Section 436 of this Law.
[29 May 2014]
Section 441.7 Agreement Protocol Regarding the Application of a Coercive Measure to a
Legal Person
(1) The following shall be indicated in an agreement protocol regarding a coercive measure:
1) the place and date of the occurrence of the action;
2) the position, given name, and surname of the performer of the procedural action;
3) the name, address, registration number of the legal person, the given name and
surname of the representative thereof, the given name, surname and location of the practice of
the defence counsel;
4) the circumstances of committing the criminal offence;
5) the qualification of the criminal offence;
6) the amount of harm caused by the criminal offence, and an agreement regarding the
compensation of such harm;
7) the coercive measure, the imposition of which by the court will be requested by the
prosecutor.
(2) If a coercive measure is applied in relation to several criminal offences, the prosecutor shall
indicate, the imposition of which by the court will be requested by the prosecutor for each
criminal offence and the final aggregate of the coercive measures to be applied.
(3) The agreement shall be signed by the representative of the legal person and the prosecutor,
and a copy thereof shall be issued to the legal person or the representative thereof.
[29 May 2014]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 180
Section 441.8 Transfer of the Proceedings, in which an Agreement Regarding the
Application of a Coercive Measure has been Entered into, to the Court
(1) After entering into an agreement, a prosecutor shall send the materials of a case together
with the agreement protocol to the court, proposing for such court to approve the entered into
agreement.
(2) In a proposal to a court, a prosecutor shall:
1) inform regarding an entered into agreement;
2) mention the evidence confirming that the criminal offence was committed in the
interests or for the benefit of, or as a result of insufficient supervision or control by the legal
person;
3) indicate the amount of the harm caused by the criminal offence committed in the
interests or for the benefit of, or as a result of insufficient supervision or control by the legal
person;
4) inform regarding the expenditures of pre-trial proceedings;
5) refer to material evidence, the location thereof, and resources that have been used for
the ensuring of compensation and of a possible confiscation of property;
6) request the court to approve the entered into agreement and impose the coercive
measure provided for in such agreement.
(3) If the agreement regarding the application of a coercive measure is entered into concurrently
with the agreement specified in Section 433 of this Law, the prosecutor shall draw up one
proposal.
(4) The prosecutor shall inform the legal person, the victim, and the representatives thereof in
writing regarding the court to which the case has been sent.
(5) After sending of a case to a court, all requests and complaints shall be sent directly to the
court.
[29 May 2014]
Division Eight
General Provisions of Court Proceedings
Chapter 40 Criminal cases within the Jurisdiction of a Court
Section 442. Instances of Court Proceedings in a Criminal Case
(1) A district (city) court shall examine all criminal cases as a court of first instance. Criminal
cases, materials of which include objects containing official secret, shall be within the
jurisdiction of the Riga City Vidzeme Suburb Court as the court of first instance.
(2) A regional court shall examine as an appellate court a ruling of a district (city) court appealed
in accordance with appellate procedures.
(3) The Supreme Court shall examine as a cassation court a ruling of any court appealed in
accordance with cassation procedures.
[24 May 2012; 19 December 2013]
Section 443. Jurisdiction of a Criminal Case on the Basis of the Location where the
Criminal Offence was Committed
(1) A criminal case shall be examined by the court in the operational district of which the
criminal offence was committed.
(2) If the determination of the location where the criminal offence was committed is not
possible, the criminal case shall be within the jurisdiction of the court in the operation district
of which pre-trial proceedings were completed.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 181
(3) In cases of prolonged or continued criminal offences, the criminal case shall be within the
jurisdiction of the court in the operational district of which the criminal offence was completed
or interrupted.
(4) In order to ensure the faster examination of a criminal case, in individual cases it may be
examined:
1) on the basis of the location of the disclosure of the criminal offence;
2) on the basis of the location of the entering into effect of the consequences of the
criminal offence;
3) on the basis of the location of the majority of the accused or witnesses.
Section 444. Actions with a Criminal Case within the Jurisdiction of Another Court
(1) If a court determines up to the commencement of a court investigation that a criminal case
is within the jurisdiction of another court, the criminal case shall be transferred to the relevant
court on the basis of jurisdiction.
(2) If a court determines during a court investigation that a criminal case is within the
jurisdiction of another court, such court shall continue the initiated proceedings.
Section 445. Transferring to another Court of a Criminal Case within the Jurisdiction of
a Court
(1) Until the beginning of a court investigation, a court may propose the transferring of a
criminal case within the jurisdiction thereof to another court, if:
1) in transferring the criminal case faster examination thereof may be achieved;
2) criminal cases regarding criminal offences committed by one and the same person
exist in two or more courts of the same level or participation or co-participation of several
persons in committing one or several criminal offences; or
3) all the relevant court’s judges have been removed or rejected.
(2) In the case referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Section, a court whose court
proceedings have a criminal case regarding a less serious criminal offence shall transfer the
criminal case to a court whose court proceedings have a criminal case regarding a more serious
criminal case.
(3) The chairperson of a court one level higher shall decide a matter regarding the transferring
of a criminal case from one court to another court. If the cases referred to in Paragraph one,
Clause 2 of this Section are located in different court regions, the matter shall be decided by the
chief judge of such regional court, in the territory of operation of which the court initiating the
transfer of the case to another court is located. The decision shall be taken in the manner of a
resolution.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 446. Inadmissibility of Disputes regarding Jurisdiction
(1) A criminal case transferred from one court to another in accordance with the procedures laid
down in this Law shall be accepted by such court.
(2) Disputes between courts regarding jurisdiction shall not be permitted.
Chapter 41 Composition of a Court
Section 447. Trial of a Criminal Case Singly and Collegially
(1) In a court of first instance, a judge shall singly try a criminal case.
(2) [16 June 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 182
(3) A judge of a court of first instance may determine the collegial trial of a criminal case if the
case is particularly complicated. In such case the criminal case shall be tried in the composition
of three judges of a court of first instance.
(4) In appellate or cassation courts criminal cases shall be tried collegially.
[12 March 2009; 16 June 2009]
Section 448. Deciding of Matters in Court
(1) Matters that arise in the collegial trial of a case shall be decided by a court by a majority
vote.
(2) [16 June 2009]
(3) No member of the composition of a court is entitled to abstain from voting.
[12 March 2009; 16 June 2009]
Chapter 42 General Provisions of the Trial of a Criminal Case
Section 449. Directness and Oral Hearing of the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) A court of first instance shall directly examine evidence in a case.
(2) A person shall provide testimony orally in a court hearing.
(3) Written evidence and other documents, which are related to the object of evidence, shall be
read or played in a court hearing fully or partially, if the person who conducts defence, a
prosecutor, a victim or his or her representative, and the owner of the property affected during
criminal proceedings whose property has been seized has applied such request. The written
evidence and documents indicated in a decision to transfer a criminal case to a court shall be
examined in a court hearing only when the person who conducts defence, a prosecutor, a victim
or his or her representative and the owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings
whose property has been seized has submitted such a request.
(4) If a request is justified, a court shall decide on an inspection of material evidence.
(5) A verification of evidence during trial of a case may not take place only in the cases and in
accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
[24 May 2012; 16 October 2014; 30 March 2017; 22 June 2017]
Section 450. Openness of the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) A criminal case shall be tried in an open court hearing.
(2) A criminal case regarding a criminal offence against the morality and sexual inviolability,
and regarding a criminal offence committed by a minor or against a minor, and also a criminal
case in which the protection of a State or adoption secret is necessary shall be tried in a closed
court hearing.
(3) A court may determine a closed court shearing with a reasoned decision:
1) [27 September 2018];
2) [18 February 2016];
3) in order to not disclose intimate circumstances of the lives of persons involved in
criminal proceedings;
4) in order to protect a professional secret or commercial secret;
5) in order to ensure protection of persons involved in criminal proceedings;
6) [27 September 2018].
(4) Persons involved in criminal proceedings shall participate in a closed court hearing.
(5) A court ruling shall be announced publicly. In a criminal case that has been tried in a closed
court hearing, the introductory part and operative part of the court ruling shall be announced
publicly, without disclosing information identifying the victims.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 183
[29 May 2014; 18 February 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 451. Right to Become Acquainted with the Materials of a Case
(1) An accused, his or her defence counsel, a representative of a legal person, a prosecutor, a
victim, and his or her representative shall be permitted to familiarise themselves with materials
that have been additionally attached to a criminal case after receipt thereof in a court, make
extracts and true copies from such materials, and request the preparation of copies of those case
materials, which infringe the interests and rights of this person, except the cases provided for
by law, but if objective necessity exists, such persons shall be permitted to familiarise
themselves with all the materials of a criminal case and request the preparation of copies of
those case materials, which infringe the interests and rights of this person. If, in completing the
pre-trial criminal proceedings, a person has refused to familiarise himself or herself with
materials of a case or to receive copies from such materials, it may be the grounds for recusal
of the request.
(2) After completion of a case in a court of first instance or an appellate court the persons
involved in the proceedings whose interests are infringed by a particular criminal proceedings
have the rights to familiarise themselves with those case materials which have come up in a
case during examination thereof in the relevant instance of courts, or to receive copies of these
materials.
(3) A representative or defence counsel, who has not participated in the relevant criminal
proceedings previously, has the right to familiarise with the materials of a criminal case which
refer to a person to be represented or defended by him or her, or to request to make copies of
these materials.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 452. Unchangeability of the Composition of a Court
(1) A court hearing in a criminal case shall occur in an unchanging composition of judges.
(2) If a judge is substituted by another judge in the course of the trial of a criminal case, the trial
of the criminal case shall be commenced de novo.
Section 453. Reserve Judge
(1) A reserve judge may participate in a criminal case for the trial of which a long term is
necessary, and he or she shall be located in the courtroom during the trial of the case. A note
shall be made in the minutes of the court hearing thereon.
(2) If a judge is substituted by a reserve judge during the trial process of a criminal case, the
trial of the case shall continue. In such case, the trial of the case shall be completed by the court
in the new composition thereof.
[16 June 2009]
Section 454. Chairperson of a Court Hearing
(1) A court hearing shall be led by one of the judges who participates in the trial of the criminal
case (hereinafter – the chairperson of a court hearing).
(2) The chairperson of a court hearing shall lead the trial of a case in such a way that equal
opportunity is ensured for the person who conducts defence, a prosecutor, and a victim to
participate in the investigation of the circumstances of the case.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 184
Section 455. Procedural Rights in Trial
(1) In a court hearing, an accused, his or her representative and defence counsel, a victim and
his or her representative, as well as the owner of property affected during criminal proceedings
whose property has been seized, and a prosecutor have equal rights to submit recusals, submit
requests, submit evidence, indicating why they had not been submitted to a court hitherto,
participate in verification of evidence, submit written explanations to the court, participate in
court debates, and to participate in the trial of other matters that have arisen during the course
of a criminal case.
(11) In order to submit additional evidence a defence counsel and a public prosecutor has the
right to request documents of importance to the criminal proceedings and information regarding
facts from natural persons and legal persons, except that provided for in Section 121, Paragraph
five and Section 192 of this Law.
(2) A court is entitled to acquire evidence on the basis of the initiative thereof, and to examine
such evidence in a court hearing, only in the case where the accused conducts defence himself
or herself, and justified doubts arise for the court regarding his or her mental capacity or possible
guilt in the prosecution.
(3) A court may recognise as proved factual circumstances of a criminal case which are different
from prosecution, if thereby the state of an accused is not deteriorated and his or her rights to
defence are not infringed.
[12 March 2009; 10 January 2013; 22 June 2017]
Section 456. Participation of a Prosecutor in the Trial of a Case
(1) The participation of a prosecutor in the trial of a criminal case is mandatory.
(2) A prosecutor shall maintain State prosecution in a case, justify such prosecution with
evidence, express his or her views regarding the circumstances determined during the trial of
the case, and participate in court debates. Several prosecutors may also maintain State
prosecution in a single criminal proceedings.
(3) A prosecutor may submit and maintain an application regarding a recovery of compensation
in the interests of the State or local government.
[21 October 2010; 18 February 2016]
Section 457. Consequences of the Non-arrival of a Prosecutor
(1) If a prosecutor does not arrive for a court hearing, the trial of the criminal case shall be
deferred. If several prosecutors are participating in the trial of the criminal case and any of them
has not arrived, the trial of the case may be continued. The trial of the case may also be
continued if any of the prosecutors has not arrived to the court debates by a consent of a higher-
ranking prosecutor.
(2) If the reasons for the non-arrival of a prosecutor are unknown a higher-ranking prosecutor
shall be notified regarding the non-attendance thereof.
[24 May 2012]
Section 458. Replacement of a Prosecutor during the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) If the subsequent participation of a prosecutor in the trial of a case is not possible, he or she
may be replaced.
(2) In the case of a change of prosecutor, a court shall continue the trial of the case.
(3) A court shall give a prosecutor who has newly entered a criminal case time to prepare for
the trial of the criminal case.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 185
(4) A prosecutor who has newly entered a criminal case may ask the court to repeatedly hear
the testimony of a witness or victim, as well as the owner of property infringed during criminal
proceedings whose property has been seized, or the findings of an expert, as well as perform
other procedural actions.
[22 June 2017]
Section 459. Duty of a Prosecutor to Withdraw from Prosecution
(1) If a prosecutor admits, during the course of the trial of a criminal case, that a prosecution
has not been confirmed either completely or partially, he or she has a duty to completely or
partially withdraw from prosecution by submitting to a court the reasoning for the withdrawal
approved by a higher-ranking prosecutor.
(2) A prosecutor may be withdrawn from prosecution up until the retiring of the court to the
deliberation room for the rendering of a judgment.
Section 460. Consequences of a Withdrawal from Prosecution
(1) If a prosecutor withdraws from a prosecution without complying with the procedures laid
down in Section 459, Paragraph one of this Law, the court shall announce an interruption in the
court hearing. If the higher-ranking prosecutor does not change the maintainer of the
prosecution, and does not renew the maintenance of prosecution, within three working days up
to the recommencement of the court hearing, a court shall take the decision to terminate the
criminal proceedings in connection with the withdrawal from prosecution of the prosecutor.
(2) In a criminal case in which a decision has been taken on termination of the criminal
proceedings in connection with a withdrawal from prosecution of a prosecutor, the renewal of
the proceedings shall be allowed if new circumstances have been disclosed.
(3) The withdrawal from prosecution of a prosecutor shall not be an impediment to the
requesting of consideration for harm in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil
Procedure Law.
[12 March 2009]
Section 461. Duty of a Prosecutor to Modify a Prosecution
(1) If a prosecutor admits, during the course of the trial of a criminal case, that the pursued and
issued prosecution should be modified to a lighter or more serious prosecution or also the
prosecution should be modified due to a change in the factual circumstances of the criminal
offence without any changes in the qualification of the offence, he or she has a duty to modify
the prosecution, substantiating such modification.
(2) A prosecutor may modify a prosecution to a lighter prosecution, if the factual circumstances
of the criminal offence do not change, up to the moment when the court retires to render a
judgment, or, in other cases, up to the completion of the court investigation.
[21 October 2010]
Section 462. Modification of a Prosecution during the Course of a Trial
(1) If a prosecutor modifies a prosecution to a lighter prosecution without the factual
circumstances of the criminal offence changing, the new prosecution shall be recorded in the
minutes of the court hearing.
(2) If a prosecutor modifies a prosecution to a lighter prosecution due to a change in the factual
circumstances of the criminal offence, or to a more serious prosecution, if the factual
circumstances of the criminal offence remain unchanged, or due to a change in the factual
circumstances of the criminal offence, if the qualification of the offence remains unchanged,
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 186
the new prosecution may be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing. The prosecutor shall
submit the new prosecution in writing upon request of the court, the accused, or his or her
defence counsel. If a time period is necessary for the modification of the prosecution, the court
shall announce an interruption in the court hearing if the defence needs time to prepare for the
new prosecution.
(3) If a prosecutor admits in a court of first instance that a prosecution is modifiable to a more
serious prosecution because other factual circumstances of the criminal offence have been
determine in a court hearing, the court shall announce, upon request of the prosecutor, an
interruption for the performance of necessary investigative actions and for the drawing up of a
new prosecution.
(4) A prosecutor shall, within a month, submit a new prosecution to a court, which the court
shall send to an accused, victim his or her representative and notify the time of trial of a criminal
case.
(5) In case of amending of a prosecution, the composition of a court and jurisdiction shall
remain unchanged.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 463. Participation of an Accused in the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) The participation of an accused in the trial of criminal proceedings is mandatory.
(2) If the accused does not arrive for a court hearing, the trial of the criminal case shall be
deferred.
(3) If an accused does not arrive for a court hearing due to an unjustifiable reason, or he or she
has not notified of the reasons for non-arrival, a court may decide to impose a fine or on his or
her conveyance by force to the court, and regarding the modification or application of a security
measure.
[24 May 2012]
Section 464. Trial of a Criminal Case without the Participation of an Accused
(1) A court may try a criminal case regarding a criminal violation and a less serious crime
without the participation of the accused, if the accused repeatedly does not arrive to a court
hearing without justifying reason or has submitted to the court a request regarding the trial of
the criminal case without his or her participation.
(2) A criminal case may be tried without the participation of the accused if the accused has
fallen ill with a serious illness that excludes the possibility for him or her to participate in the
trial of the criminal case.
[21 October 2010; 24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 465. Trial of a Criminal Case in the Absence of the Accused (in absentia)
(1) A court may try a criminal case in the absence of the accused (in absentia) in one of the
following cases:
1) whereabouts of the accused are unknown and it is indicated in information regarding
the search results;
2) the accused is located in a foreign country and the ensuring of his or her arrival in
court is not possible.
(11) In the cases specified in Paragraph one of this Section the court may try a criminal case in
the absence of the accused (in absentia) also if during trial the public prosecutor recognises that
the prosecution should be amended.
(2) A court ruling that has been made by trying a case in the absence of the accused (in absentia)
shall enter into effect in accordance with general procedure. Nevertheless, the convicted person
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 187
may appeal the ruling in accordance with appellate or cassation procedure within 30 days from
the day when a copy of the ruling has been received.
(3) From the moment when a court has received an appeal or cassation complaint, the convicted
person shall obtain the status and all rights of an accused. A judge of a court of first instance,
but when a ruling of appellate court is being appealed – a judge of appellate court shall take the
decision to suspend the execution of judgment and apply a security measure.
(4) If a case has been tried in a court of first instance in the absence of the accused (in absentia),
the convicted person may appeal the ruling in accordance with appellate procedures.
(5) If a case has been tried both in a court of first instance and appellate court in the absence of
the accused (in absentia), the convicted person may appeal the ruling in accordance with
appellate procedures. After receipt of an appellate complaint, a judge of the appellate court shall
send the criminal case to a cassation court and request it to revoke the ruling made by the
appellate court. A cassation court shall immediately decide the request of a judge of appellate
court in written procedure without informing the persons involved in the proceedings, and
revoke the ruling made by the appellate court.
(6) If a case has been tried only in an appellate court in the absence of the accused (in absentia),
the convicted person may appeal the ruling in accordance with cassation procedures.
(7) If in a case which has been examined both in the court of first instance and appellate court
in the absence of the accused (in absentia) a ruling of a cassation court has been made or the
examination of the legality of a ruling has been refused, the convicted person may appeal the
ruling in accordance with appellate procedures. After receipt of an appellate complaint, a judge
of the appellate court shall send the criminal case to a cassation court and request it to revoke
the decision taken by a cassation court (judge). A cassation court shall immediately decide the
request of a judge of appellate court in written procedure without informing the persons
involved in the proceedings, and revoke the decision taken by the cassation court (judge) and
the ruling made by the appellate court.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 29 May 2014; 27 September 2018]
Section 466. Participation of a Defence Counsel in the Trial of a Case
(1) The participation of a defence counsel in the trial of a criminal case is mandatory in the
cases provided for in this Law and on the basis of a summons of persons involved in
proceedings.
(2) A defence counsel shall implement the rights of a person to defence, express his or her views
regarding the circumstances determined during the course of the trial of a case, and participate
in court debates. Several defence counsels may also conduct defence in a single criminal
proceedings.
Section 467. Consequences of the Non-arrival of a Defence Counsel
(1) If a defence counsel does not arrive for a court hearing, the trial of a criminal case shall be
deferred. The court shall notify the Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates of the non-arrival of
the defence counsel for a court hearing.
(2) If several defence counsels of the accused participate in the trial of a criminal case and any
of them has not arrived, the trial of the case may be continued. The trial of the case may also be
continued if any of defence counsels has not arrived to court debates and the accused does not
object to continuation of the case.
[24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 188
Section 468. Replacement of a Defence Counsel during the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) If the subsequent participation of a defence counsel in the trial of a case is not possible
within a reasonable term, he or she may be replaced.
(2) In the case of a change of defence counsel, a court shall continue the trial of a case.
(3) A court shall give a defence counsel who has newly entered a criminal case time to prepare
for conducting defence.
(4) A defence counsel who has newly entered a criminal case may ask the court to repeatedly
hear the testimony of a witness and victim, as well as the owner of property affected during
criminal proceedings whose property has been seized, or the findings of an expert, as well as
perform other procedural actions.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 469. Participation of a Victim in the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) A criminal case shall be tried with the participation of a victim or his or her representative.
(2) If a victim does not arrive for a court hearing, a criminal case shall be tried without the
presence thereof, except in cases where the court admits that the participation of the victim in
the trial of a criminal case is mandatory, or the victim has requested, due to a justifiable reason,
for the court hearing to be deferred.
Section 470. Consequences of the Non-arrival of a Witness, Expert or Owner of Property
Infringed During Criminal Proceedings
(1) If a witness or expert does not arrive for a court hearing, the court shall commence the trial
of the case, if, in accordance with this Law, grounds to defer such court hearing do not exist.
(2) The procedural sanctions specified in this Law shall be applied to a witness or expert who
has not arrived for a court hearing due to an unjustifiable reason. A witness may also be applied
conveyance by force.
(3) Non-arrival to the court hearing of an owner of property infringed during criminal
proceedings whose property has been seized shall not be an impediment to examination of a
case if the procedures for invitation of this person have been complied with.
[24 May 2012; 22 June 2017]
Section 471. Procedures during Court Hearings
(1) When the court enters a courtroom and departs from such courtroom, the persons present in
the courtroom shall rise.
(2) The persons present in a courtroom shall stand while hearing the introductory part and
operative part of the judgment of the court.
(3) Persons present in a court hearing shall behave so as not to disturb the course of the court
hearing.
(4) The persons present in a court hearingn shall submit without objections to the instructions
of the chairperson of the court hearing, court decisions, and the requirements of the bailiff.
(5) Procedural sanctions may be applied to a person who interferes with order in a courtroom,
or such person may be held to the liability, specified by law, regarding contempt of court.
(6) A bailiff for whom the orders of the chairperson of a court hearing are mandatory shall
maintain order in a courtroom.
[19 January 2006]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 189
Section 472. Right to be Present in a Courtroom
(1) The number of persons present in a courtroom shall be determined by the court according
to the number of seats in the courtroom.
(2) The immediate family of an accused or victim, or other persons invited by such accused or
victim, have priority rights to be present in the trial of a criminal case.
(3) Persons under 14 years of age shall not be admitted to a courtroom, unless such person is a
person involved in criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 473. Decisions Taken in a CourtHearing
(1) Matters that have arisen during the trial of a case shall be resolved by a court by taking
decisions.
(2) The following decisions shall be taken by a court in the deliberation room:
1) to terminate proceedings;
2) regarding a security measure;
3) regarding a recusal;
4) to determine an expert-examination.
(3) A court shall prepare the decisions referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the manner
of a separate document. A decision shall be signed by the entire composition of a court.
(4) Other decisions may be taken, on the basis of the discretion of the court, both in the
deliberation room and by negotiating in the courtroom. Such decisions shall be recorded in the
minutes of the court hearing.
(5) A court decision taken during a trial shall be announced immediately.
(6) A decision to determine a knowingly false testimony, findings, or translation, or regarding
the compelling to provide false testimony, findings, or a translation, or also regarding the
determination of an unjustified refusal to provide testimony, findings, or a translation shall be
taken by a court simultaneously with a judgment. The decision shall be sent to an investigating
institution.
(7) Decisions taken during a trial may be appealed only simultaneously with an appeal of a final
ruling made by a court, if this Law does not specify otherwise.
Section 474. Correction of Clerical Errors and Mathematical Miscalculations
(1) A court may correct clerical errors or mathematical miscalculations in a ruling on the basis
of the initiative thereof or a proposal of a person involved in proceedings. A matter regarding
the correction of errors shall be decided in a written procedure.
(2) Clerical errors or mathematical miscalculations shall be corrected by taking a decision,
which shall be announced to the persons involved in proceedings and to the institution which
executes a punishment, if such correction applies to execution of a punishment.
(3) Persons involved in proceedings may submit a complaint, or a protest to a higher level court
within 10 days, regarding correction of an error made by a court in a ruling. Such complaint or
protest shall be examined by a judge of a higher level court in a written procedure without
participation of the persons involved in the procedure. The decision shall not be subject to
appeal.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 190
Chapter 43 Merger, Division, Deferral, Suspension, or Termination of Criminal
Proceedings
Section 475. Merger of Criminal Proceedings
(1) If one court has two or more criminal cases regarding criminal offences committed by one
person or the taking part or participation of several persons in the commitment of one or several
criminal offences, the criminal proceedings regarding such offences shall be merged, except
cases where the merger of criminal proceedings would substantially complicate examination of
the criminal case.
(2) Criminal proceedings may be merged up to the commencement of a court investigation with
a decision of a judge or court and such decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(21) During a court investigation in a court of first instance the criminal cases regarding
participation or co-participation of several persons in one or several criminal offences may be
merged in one criminal proceedings, if it has came out during the trial in a court of first instance.
(3) In merging criminal proceedings, materials regarding a lighter criminal offence shall usually
be attached to a criminal case regarding a more serious criminal offence.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 476. Division of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Criminal proceedings in which several persons, or one person, are prosecuted for several
criminal offences may be divided in the interests of the accused or the victim, if the division
does not interfere with the achievement of the objective of criminal proceedings.
(2) A court shall take a decision on division of criminal proceedings that shall also
simultaneously be recognised as a decision to initiate new criminal proceedings. The date of
the initiation of the new criminal proceedings is the date of the taking of the decision. The
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(21) Taking of a decision on division of criminal proceedings shall not be the grounds for
submission of recusation in the criminal proceedings divided out to a judge.
(3) A decision shall indicate the grounds for the division of criminal proceedings, the personal
data of the accused, the essence of the prosecution, the section, paragraph, and clause of The
Criminal Law on the basis of which the prosecution has been pursued, the security measure and
the date, term, and other conditions of the application thereof, as well as the direction of the
proceedings after division thereof.
(4) If the ascertaining of the person who has committed a criminal offence is necessary in the
materials divided out from criminal proceedings, a court shall send such materials to the Office
of the Prosecutor.
(5) If the reasons for the division of criminal proceedings is the evasion of one or several
accused from court, a court shall decide, simultaneously with a decision on division of criminal
proceedings, on suspension of the trial of a criminal case in the separated criminal proceedings.
In resuming the trial in the criminal proceedings divided out if the composition of a court has
not changed, the procedural actions previously performed in a court, in which the accused
participated, need not be repeated.
(6) A decision on division of proceedings shall be sent to a prosecutor, accused, and victim.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012]
Section 477. Deferral of a Trial
(1) If the trial of a criminal case is not possible in connection with the fact that one of the persons
summoned to the court hearing has not arrived at such hearing, a court shall take the decision
to defer the trial for a specific term.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 191
(2) In deferring trial, a court shall decide on the conveyance by force to a court hearing of a
person who has not arrived for such court hearing, or regarding the application of procedural
sanctions.
(3) In recommencing trial after deferral thereof, a court may not repeat previously performed
procedural actions.
Section 478. Suspension of Criminal Proceedings due to the Interpretation of a Legal
Provision
(1) If a court considers that a legal provision that has been applied in specific criminal
proceedings does not comply with a legal provision (act) of higher legal effect, such court shall
issue an application regarding the initiation of the case in the Constitutional Court,
simultaneously suspending court proceedings in the criminal case until a ruling of the
Constitutional Court enters into effect.
(2) If a preliminary ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the interpretation
and the validity of a legal provision of the European Union is necessary for the trial of a specific
case, a court shall send the ambiguous matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union in
the manner of a reasoned decision, simultaneously suspending criminal proceedings in the
criminal case until the day of coming into force of the preliminary ruling.
(3) In suspending court proceedings due to the ambiguity of an interpretation of a legal
provision, a court shall decide on the determination of the necessary compulsory measure or
seizure of property, yet without violating the procedural term specified by law.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 479. Suspension of Criminal Proceedings due to the Illness of an Accused
(1) If an accused has fallen ill with mental disorder or another serious illness, and will not be
able to participate in a court hearing for a long period of time, a court can suspend the criminal
proceedings until the accused has recovered.
(2) In the case referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, a court may determine an expert-
examination for an accused.
(3) If an accused has recovered, a judge shall renew trial by writing up a decision in the manner
of a resolution.
(4) If the contraction of mental disturbances has been recognised as untreatable and excludes
the application of a criminal punishment, proceedings for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature shall be continued.
(5) If the mental disorder or another serious illness has been confirmed as untreatable and the
accused cannot participate in the court hearing, the court shall renew the criminal proceedings
and continue trial by ensuring participation of a defence council.
[12 March 2009; 27 September 2018]
Section 480. Suspension of Criminal Proceedings in Connection with the Evasion of Court
of an Accused
(1) If an accused evades court, the court shall take a decision on a search for the accused and
regarding the suspension of criminal proceedings until the time when the accused is found.
(2) A decision on a search for an accused shall be transferred for execution to persons
performing investigative field work pursuant to the competence thereof.
(3) After finding of an accused or after receipt of information regarding the location of an
accused in a foreign country, a judge shall renew trial by writing up a decision in the manner
of a resolution. The judge may renew trial, if he or she has received information that the
whereabouts of the accused are unknown.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 192
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 29 May 2014]
Section 481. Termination of Criminal Proceedings in a Court Hearing
(1) A court shall terminate criminal proceedings or a part thereof in the following cases:
1) if such court determines, during a trial, the circumstances indicated in Section 377,
Clauses 3-10 of this Law that do not allow for criminal proceedings;
2) if a prosecutor has withdrawn from prosecution;
3) [12 March 2009].
(11) If the accused has died during examination in the court of first instance, examination of a
case shall be continued only if an application of a relative of the deceased regarding
continuation of criminal proceedings for exoneration of the deceased has been received within
a month after death of the accused. Examination of the case shall be continued in accordance
with general procedure. The person who has requested continuation of the proceedings has the
right to appeal a decision of a court of first instance and appellate court.
(2) A court may terminate criminal proceedings, releasing a person from criminal liability, in
the cases determined in Section 379 of this Law.
(3) It shall be decided in a decision on termination of criminal proceedings on the security
measure applied, the measures for ensuring of compensation for losses and a possible
confiscation of property, other procedural compulsory measures, as well as material evidence.
(4) If criminal proceedings are being terminated, but the materials of the criminal case contain
information regarding facts in connection with which disciplinary coercion measures or an
administrative punishment should be applied to a person, the court shall send the necessary
materials to the competent authority or official.
(5) If the court, upon terminating criminal proceedings or a part thereof against a person,
establishes that a criminal offence has occurred and it is necessary to ascertain the person who
committed the offence, the criminal case thereof or a part of the criminal case shall be sent to
the Office of the Prosecutor.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012]
Chapter 44 Recording of the Course of a Court Hearing
Section 482. Minutes of a Court Hearing
(1) The minutes of a court hearing is a procedural document in which the course of the trial of
a case and the decisions taken in the court hearing shall be recorded.
(2) If one of the persons who participate in trial has objections against the actions of the
chairperson of a hearing, such objections shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing.
(3) In the cases provided for in this Law, minutes shall also be recorded regarding procedural
actions performed outside the courtroom.
(4) Written speeches submitted by members of court debates may be attached to the minutes.
[12 March 2009]
Section 483. Recording of the Course of a Court Hearing with Technical Means
(1) During a trial, the court of a court hearing shall be recorded in full amount using sound or
image recordings or other technical means, and a note regarding such recording shall be made
in the minutes of the court hearing.
(2) The material obtained in the result of using the technical means referred to in Paragraph one
of this Section shall be stored together with the criminal case, or entered and stored into the
Court Information System.
[27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 193
Section 484. Recording of the Course of a Court Hearing in the Minutes of the Court
Hearing
(1) The secretary of a court hearing shall write the minutes of the court hearing, and such
minutes shall be signed by the chairperson of the court hearing and the secretary.
(2) In commencing the trial of a case, the following shall be indicated in the minutes of the
court hearing:
1) the time and place of the court hearing (also the beginning and end of the court
hearing);
2) the composition of the court, the secretary of the court hearing, as well as the
interpreter, if he or she participates in the court hearing;
3) the given name and surname of the accused, and the criminal offence in connection
with the prosecution;
31) the name and registry number of the legal person, against which proceedings
regarding the application of a coercive measure have been initiated;
4) the given name and surname of the prosecutor and defence counsel, if such persons
participate in the court hearing;
5) the given name and surname of the victim and his or her representative, if such
persons participate in thecourt hearing;
6) the essence of the requests submitted to the court, if such requests have been
submitted, and the content of the decisions taken by the court in relation to such requests.
(3) The following shall also be recorded in minutes after commencement of a court
investigation:
1) the attitude of the accused toward the prosecution;
2) the given name and surname of the witnesses, experts, and other persons involved in
proceedings who have arrived;
3) court orders and decisions that have not been taken in the manner of separate
procedural documents;
4) information regarding an examination of material evidence or documents;
5) [30 March 2017];
6) the day of availability of the minutes.
(4) If the course of a court hearing is not recorded using sound and image recordings or other
technical means, the testimony of the accused, victim, witness, experts, owner of property
infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized, and explanations of
other persons involved in proceedings, speeches of court debates, replies, last word of the
accused shall be recorded in the minutes of the court hearing.
(5) Minutes of separate procedural actions performed outside of a courtroom shall comply with
the requirements referred to in this Section.
(6) Corrections in minutes shall be justified before the signature of the secretary of a court
hearing. Incomplete lines and other blank spaces in the minutes shall be crossed out.
(7) The content of minutes shall not be extinguished, blocked out, or corrected in another
manner by applying mechanical effects.
(8) The minutes of a court hearing shall be drawn up within three working days after day of the
announcement of a court judgment. If an interruption is announced which is longer than
14 days, the minutes of a court hearing shall be drawn up within three working days after day
of the court hearing. A prosecutor, persons who conduct defence, a victim, and an owner of
property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized may familiarise
themselves with the minutes, if necessary, receive a copy of the minutes and, within three
working days from the day of availability of the minutes, submit notes regarding such minutes.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 194
(9) If the chief of a court hearing does not agree with the submitted notes fully or in any part
thereof, such notes shall be examined by a court composition and a decision shall be taken. The
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 29 May 2014; 30 March 2017; 22 June 2017]
Section 485. Rights of Other Person to Record the Course of a Court Hearing
Other persons who are not employees of a court may make a sound and image recording
during a court hearing without interfering with the procedure of the court, if the court permits
such recording and the accused, his or her defence counsel, a prosecutor, victim, and witnesses
agree to such recording.
Division Nine
Examination of a Case in a Court of First Instance
Chapter 45 Preparation of a Criminal Case for Trial
Section 486. Actions of a Court after Receipt of a Criminal Case
(1) After receipt of a criminal case, a court shall examine whether:
1) the case is under the jurisdiction of such court;
2) a prosecution has been attached to the criminal case;
3) a copy of the prosecution has been issued to the accused;
4) the opportunity has been ensured for the accused to familiarise himself or herself with
case materials.
(2) If it is determined that a criminal case is under the jurisdiction of another court, a judge may
send the criminal case together with a cover letter to the court that has jurisdiction.
(3) If it has been established that the provisions of Paragraph one, Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this
Section has not been complied with, a judge shall send the criminal case to a higher-ranking
prosecutor for the elimination of deficiencies.
[12 March 2009]
Section 487. Preparation of a Case for Trial in Accordance with Urgent Procedures
(1) Upon receipt of a criminal case that has been transferred to a court for examination in
accordance with urgent procedures, the judge shall examine, in addition to that indicated in
Section 486 of this Law, whether the time and place for the trial indicated in the decision of a
prosecutor on transfer of the criminal case to the court has been co-ordinated with the court.
(2) The operations provided for in Sections 488 and 489 of this Law shall be performed only in
cases where the modification of the time and place of the trial of a criminal case is necessary.
[20 June 2018]
Section 488. Time of the Trial of a Criminal Case
(1) A judge shall take a decision, in his or her court proceedings, regarding the time and place
of the trial of a criminal case not later than within three working days after receipt of the
criminal case. The decision shall be written in the manner of a resolution.
(2) The trial of a criminal case shall be commenced as soon as possible.
(3) If a security measure related to a deprivation of liberty has been applied to an accused, the
trial of a criminal case shall be commenced not later than within four weeks after receipt thereof.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 195
(4) If a security measure related to a deprivation of liberty has been applied to an accused who
is a minor, the trial of a criminal case shall be commenced not later than within four weeks after
receipt thereof.
(5) If conformity with the terms referred to in Paragraphs three and four of this Section is not
possible due to objective conditions, a judge may determine with a reasoned decision thereof a
later time for the commencement of the trial of a criminal case.
(6) [20 June 2018]
[12 March 2009; 20 June 2018]
Section 489. Notifying Summoned Persons, a Prosecutor, and a Defence Counsel
Regarding a Court Hearing
(1) After determination of the time of a court hearing, a judge shall immediately give an order
for the court chancellery to invite summoned persons to a court hearing and to notify a
prosecutor and defence counsel of the time of the court hearing.
(2) If the trial of a criminal case is intended for a longer term, a judge may give an order to
summon a witness or expert to another time, instead of to the beginning of the court hearing.
[12 March 2009]
Section 490. Modification of the Term of the Trial of a Criminal Case
If it becomes known up to the trial of a criminal case that an accused or victim will not
be able to arrive at a court hearing due to a justifiable reason, or if there are other circumstances
why the trial of the case may not take place at a specific time, a judge shall determine another
term for the trial of the criminal case.
Section 491. Matters to be Decided in Preparing a Criminal Case for Trial in a Court
Hearing
In preparing a criminal case for trial in a court hearing, a judge shall decide the following
matters:
1) regarding the retaining of a defence counsel;
2) regarding the summoning of an interpreter;
3) [21 October 2010];
4) regarding the examination of the matter in an open or closed court hearing;
5) whether the matter shall be examined with or without the verification of evidence in
a court hearing;
6) regarding the ensuring of compensation or the possible confiscation of property, if
there is a relevant application;
61) regarding adding of materials of an archives file or source documents to a case
according to the submitted request;
7) other matters regarding which a request of an accused, defence counsel, prosecutor,
victim or his or her representative, or owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings
whose property has been seized has been submitted;
8) regarding the requesting of an assessment report from the State Probation Service;
9) regarding the use of technical means in a court hearing.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 22 June 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 196
Section 492. Execution of a Decision Taken in Relation to Compensation or the Possible
Confiscation of Property
A decision taken in relation to the ensuring of compensation or the possible confiscation
of property shall be issued to the submitter and fulfilled in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law.
Chapter 46 Trials
Section 493. Opening of a Court Hearing
The chairman of a court hearing shall open the court hearing by notifying which case
will be in trial, and by announcing the composition of the court.
Section 494. Verification of the Attendance of Summoned Persons
(1) The chairperson of a court hearing shall notify which of the persons summoned to case have
arrived, whether the persons who have not arrived have been notified of the court hearing, and
regarding the information that has been received regarding the reasons for the non-arrival
thereof.
(2) If an accused has refused the participation of a defence counsel in proceedings, he or she
shall sign regarding such refusal in the minutes of the court hearing.
Section 495. Exclusion of Witnesses from a Courtroom
A witness shall not be present in a courtroom until the commencement of an
interrogation thereof.
Section 496. Deciding of Submitted Requests
(1) A prosecutor, victim, accused or his or her representative, and owner of property infringed
during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized may submit requests to a court.
(2) A court shall decide a submitted request after hearing the views of the persons referred to
in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) During the course of a court hearing, a person may repeatedly submit rejected requests, if
new circumstances, which were not known before, have been indicated.
[24 May 2012; 22 June 2017]
Section 497. Maintenance of Prosecution
A court investigation shall begin with the maintenance of prosecution by a prosecutor
briefly outlining the essence of the prosecution.
Section 498. Attitude of an Accused toward Prosecution
(1) After hearing the prosecution, the chairperson of a court hearing shall ascertain whether the
accused understands for the commission of which criminal offence he or she is accused, and
whether he or she admits his or her guilt.
(2) The attitude of an accused toward the prosecution shall be recorded in the minutes of a court
hearing, and the accused shall sign such minutes.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 197
Section 499. Non-Conducting of a Verification of Evidence
(1) A court may take a decision on non-conducting of a verification of evidence in relation to
an entire prosecution or the independent part thereof only provided that:
1) the accused admits his or her guilt in the entire prosecution directed against him or
her or in the relevant part thereof;
2) the court does not have any doubts regarding the guilt of the accused after an
examination of case materials;
3) the accused, or, in cases of mandatory defence, also his or her defence counsel and
representative, agrees to the non-conducting of such examination.
(2) Before deciding a matter regarding the non-conducting of a verification of evidence, a court
shall ascertain the views of the prosecutor, the person who conducts defence, a victim and his
or her representative, and an owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose
property has been seized regarding such non-conducting of the verification, and shall explain
to such persons the procedural essence and consequences of the non-conducting of the
verification of evidence. If an accused does not agree only with the amount of compensation
for harm and if such amount does not affect the legal classification of the criminal offence, a
court may perform verification of evidence only in the matter regarding the amount of
compensation.
(21) If an owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings on whose property an
attachment is imposed does not agree with the assumption regarding the criminal origin of
property and it does not affect the legal classification of a criminal offence, a court may perform
verification of evidence only in the matter regarding the action with the property.
(3) After a decision has been taken on non-conducting of a verification of evidence, a court
shall examine the personal characterising data of the accused and take up court debates.
(4) After court debates, a court shall hear the last word of the accused, and render and announce
a judgment. Such judgment may be appealed in accordance with appellate procedures only in
the part regarding the punishment, compensation imposed by the court, action with the property,
or in connection with the allowed violations of the proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 20 December 2012; 22 June 2017]
Section 500. Procedures for the Verification of Evidence
(1) A court shall commence a verification of evidence by hearing the testimony of a victim and
the testimony of the witnesses indicated by the prosecutor, as well as examine other evidence
submitted by the prosecutor.
(2) After a verification of the evidence indicated by the prosecutor, a court shall hear the
witnesses indicated by the owners of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose
property has been seized, accused or his or her defence counsel, and verify other evidence
submitted by him or her.
(3) A court may determine another procedure for the verification of evidence upon request of
the prosecutor, victim, or accused or his or her defence counsel.
(4) If the information obtained in operational activities measures is used in a criminal case as
evidence, only the court upon a reasoned request of the prosecutor, victim, accused or his or
her defence counsel may become acquainted with the materials of operational activities, which
are not appended to the criminal case and are related to the object of evidence, indicating in the
case materials and ruling that such materials have been evaluated.
(5) If a criminal case is received for examination de novo from an appellate or cassation court
or trial of a criminal case is commenced de novo, the witnesses, victims, experts and specialists
previously interrogated in court shall be invited upon request of the prosecutor, victim, accused
or his or her defence counsel.
[29 May 2014; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 198
Section 501. Reading or Playing of Testimony
Testimony previously given by any person in specific criminal proceedings may be read
or played in court, if:
1) there are important contradictions between such testimony and the testimony given
in court;
2) the testifier has forgotten some circumstances of the case;
3) the testifier is not present at the court hearing due to a reason that excludes the
possibility to arrive in court;
4) the testifier evades appearance in court or refuses to testify;
5) the court agrees to the instruction of a psychologist that the person who has not
attained 14 years of age or a minor victim may not be interrogated in a court hearing or with
the intermediation of a psychologist;
6) a testimony is provided by a person who has the right to not testify.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 502. Procedures for the Asking of Questions
(1) An accused, his or her defence counsel, a prosecutor, a victim, and his or her representative
may ask the persons who are giving testimony in court questions with the permission of the
court. The court shall reject questions that do not apply to the case. An owner of property
infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized has the right to ask the
persons who are giving testimony in court questions in relation to property with the permission
of the court.
(2) A prosecutor shall be first to ask questions of a victim and other persons summoned by the
prosecutor.
(3) An accused and his or her defence counsel, other accused and the defence counsel thereof
shall be the first to ask questions to the persons summoned by the accused or his or her defence
counsel and owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been
seized.
(4) A court may ask questions at any moment during the trial of a case.
[22 June 2017]
Section 503. Testimony of an Accused
(1) After verifying the evidence referred to in Section 500 of this Law, the chairpersons of a
court hearing shall ask an accused whether he or she wishes to give testimony.
(2) If an accused has expressed consent to provide testimony, the first to ask him or her
questions shall be his or her defence counsel and the defence counsel of other accused.
(3) An accused may submit his or her testimony to a court in writing. Written testimony shall
be read, except the case specified in Section 449, Paragraph three of this Law.
(4) If an accused uses his or her right to not to provide testimony but he or she has testified as
a person who has the right to defence, the testimonies present in a criminal case may be
examined by reading them.
[12 March 2009]
Section 504. Completion of a Court Investigation
(1) After completion of a verification of evidence, if additional requests have not been
expressed, a court shall announce the court investigation as finished and transport to court
debates.
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(2) If the time is necessary for participants to proceedings to prepare for court debates, a court
shall take a decision on duration of this time period and shall enter it in the minutes of the court
hearing
(3) After completion of a court investigation, a court may take the decision on the conveyance
of the accused by force, and also request an opinion from the State Centre for Forensic Medical
Examination on whether the accused may participate in a court hearing based on his or her state
of health. If it is necessary, the State Centre for Forensic Medical Examination may invite a
specialist.
[12 March 2009]
Section 505. Court Debates
(1) A prosecutor shall be the first to speak in court debates, then a victim, his or her
representative, an owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has
been seized, and an accused or his or her defence counsel.
(2) If several victims or the representatives thereof, owners of property infringed during
criminal proceedings whose property has been seized, or several accused or the defence
counsels thereof, participate in court debates, the order of speeches shall be determined by the
court after hearing of the views of persons involved in proceedings.
(3) The length of court debates shall not be restricted.
(4) A participant in a court debate may submit his or her speech to the court in writing, and such
speech shall be attached to a case.
[12 March 2009; 22 June 2017]
Section 506. Content of Court Debates
(1) A prosecutor shall substantiate his or her views regarding the guilt or innocence of an
accused in a prosecution speech during court debates, and shall express his or her views
regarding the type and amount of a punishment to be applied to the accused. The prosecutor
shall also express his or her views regarding other issues to be adjudicated in a court debate.
(2) During court debates, a victim may express himself or herself regarding consideration for
harm and a punishment to be applied to an accused.
(21) An owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings on whose property an
attachment is imposed may express himself or herself regarding the origin of property.
(3) An accused or his or her defence counsel shall give a defence speech during court debates.
(4) Members of court debates may reason their conclusions only with evidence examined in a
court investigation and written evidence and documents, which have been indicated in the
decision to transfer a criminal case to a court and which in accordance with Section 449,
Paragraph three of this Law were not examined in a court hearing. If an examination of new
evidence is necessary, a member of court debates may request for the court to recommence the
court investigation.
(5) In a case during the trial of which a verification of evidence has not been performed,
members of court debates shall express themselves only regarding a punishment to be applied,
and the type and amount thereof, as well as the amount of compensation if it does not affect the
legal classification of a criminal offence, and the origin of property.
(6) The chairperson of a court hearing may interrupt the speech of a member of court debates,
if he or she speaks on circumstances that do not have any relation to the case.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012; 22 June 2017]
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Section 507. Rights to Reply
(1) After court debates, each of the members thereof has the right to one reply regarding the
content of the speeches.
(2) A defence counsel has the right to the last reply. If the defence counsel does not participate
in a court hearing, the accused has the right to the last reply.
Section 508. Last Word of an Accused
(1) After completion of court debates, the chairperson of the court hearing shall invite the
accused to say the last word.
(2) An accused shall be permitted to refuse the last word.
(3) The duration of the last word of an accused shall not be restricted. The chairperson of a
court hearing may interrupt the last word of an accused, if he or she speaks on circumstances
that do not have any relation to the case.
(4) During the last word, the asking of questions of an accused shall not be permitted.
Section 509. Recommencement of a Court Investigation
(1) If, during court debates, the members thereof provide information in the speeches thereof,
or an accused provides information during the last word, regarding new circumstances that have
significance in a case, or if such persons refer to evidence that was not examined during the
court hearing but that apply to the case, a court, upon a request of a member of the discussions
or on the basis of the initiative of such court, shall take the decision to recommence court
investigation, and shall conduct the court investigation.
(2) After completion of a recommenced court investigation, a court shall re-open court debates
and give the accused the last word.
Section 510. Retirement of the Court to the Deliberation Room for the Rendering of a
Judgment
(1) After the last word of an accused, a court shall retire to the deliberation room to render a
judgment, and the chairperson of the court hearing shall notify the persons present in the court
hearing ofsuch judgment, determining the time of the announcement of the judgment within the
next 14 days and place of the announcement thereof.
(2) [24 May 2012]
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Chapter 47 Judgment
Section 511. General Provisions for the Rendering of a Judgment
(1) A court ruling with which a case is adjudicated on the basis of the merits thereof shall be
made in the manner of a court judgment, and announced in the name of the State.
(2) A judgment shall be lawful and justified.
Section 512. Legality and Justification of a Judgment
(1) In rendering a judgment, a court shall base such rendering on the norms of substantive and
procedural rights.
(2) A court shall justify a judgment with evidence that has been examined in a court hearing,
and written evidence and documents, which have been indicated in the decision to transfer a
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criminal case to a court, or with evidence for which, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 125 of this Law, an examination is not necessary.
[24 May 2012]
Section 513. Confidentiality of Court Deliberations
(1) Court deliberations shall take place in a deliberation room. During deliberations, only the
composition of the court that is trying a case shall be present in such room.
(2) A court may interrupt deliberations in order to rest, as well as on free days and holidays.
(3) During a break, judges are prohibited from gathering information on the case being
considered, or disclosing views expressed during deliberations, as well as the content of the
made rulings.
Section 514. Matters to be Decided during Court Deliberations
(1) During deliberations, a court shall decide the following matters in a deliberation room:
1) whether the criminal offence incriminating the accused took place;
2) whether such offence constitutes a criminal offence, and the Section, Paragraph and
Clause of The Criminal Law that provides for such offence;
3) whether the accused is guilty of such criminal offence;
4) whether the accused is punishable regarding such criminal offence;
5) whether circumstances exist that aggravate or mitigate the liability of the accused;
6) the type and amount of basic punishment that shall be imposed on an accused, and
whether he or she shall serve such punishment;
7) whether an additional punishment is to be imposed on the accused, and what
punishment is to be applied;
8) whether the compulsory measures of a medical nature provided for in Section 68 of
The Criminal Law shall be determined for the person who has been recognised as having
diminished mental capacity;
9) whether a security measure shall be maintained, modified or applied for the accused;
10) whether an application regarding consideration for harm is to be satisfied, and for
the benefit of whom, and in what amount, such consideration is to be recovered;
11) regarding confiscation of object for committing a criminal offence and property
related to a criminal offence;
111) actions with material evidence, documents, property related to criminal offence,
other objects and valuables seized during the proceedings, and property on which an attachment
is imposed;
12) regarding confiscation or recovery of criminally acquired property;
13) from whom procedural expenditures are to be recovered.
(2) If an accused has been transferred to a court regarding several criminal offence, a court shall
decide the matters referred to in Paragraph one of this Section separately for each criminal
offence.
(3) If several accused have been transferred to a court regarding a criminal offence, a court shall
decide the matters referred to in Paragraph one of this Section separately for each accused.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 22 June 2017]
Section 515. Procedures for Court Deliberations
(1) The chairperson of a court hearing shall lead court deliberations.
(2) The chairperson of a court hearing shall ask each question in such a way that only an
affirmative or negative answer may be given.
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(3) The judges shall vote in deciding each separate question. The chairperson of a court hearing
shall express his or her views and vote last.
Section 516. Dissenting Conclusions of a Judge
(1) The chairperson of a court hearing, or a judge, who has a dissenting conclusion shall express
such conclusion in writing.
(2) A dissenting conclusion shall be attached to a case in a closed envelope, and only a court of
higher instance may become acquainted with such conclusion in the case of an appeal of such
court ruling. In announcing a judgment, a dissenting conclusion shall not be announced.
[16 June 2009]
Section 517. Recommencement of a Court Investigation after Court Deliberations
(1) If, during deliberations, a court considers necessary the ascertaining of circumstances that
have significance in a case, the court shall take a decision, without rendering judgment,
regarding a recommencement of a court investigation.
(2) After completion of a court investigation, a court shall reopen court debates, hear the last
word of an accused, and retire to deliberate for the rendering of a judgment.
Section 518. Types of Judgments
A court judgment may be acquitting or convicting.
Section 519. Grounds for the Rendering of a Judgment of Acquittal
A court shall render a judgment of acquittal, if:
1) a criminal offence has not occurred or the criminal offence committed by an accused
does not have the content of the criminal offence;
2) the participation of the accused in the criminal offence has not been proven.
[30 March 2017]
Section 520. Grounds for the Rendering of a Judgment of Conviction
(1) A court shall render a judgment of conviction, if the guilt of the accused in the criminal
offence has been proven during the course of the trial.
(2) A judgment of conviction may not be rendered, if the guilt of the accused has been proven
only with the testimony of persons whose identity has not been disclosed in the interests of
special procedural protection, and if no other evidence in the case exists.
Section 521. Rendering of a Judgment of Conviction, Without Imposing a Punishment
A court may render a judgment of conviction without imposing a punishment, if the
circumstances referred to in Section 379, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 3 of this Law have been
determined.
Section 522. Application of Compulsory Measures of a Correctional Nature to Minors
(1) If a court recognises that an accused who is a minor has committed a criminal offence, the
court, observing the special circumstances of the committing of such offence, and the
information acquired regarding the guilty person, that mitigate the liability of such minor, may
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 203
release him or her from the imposed punishment and apply the compulsory measure of a
correctional nature provided for by law.
(2) In applying compulsory measures of a correctional nature, a court shall take into account
the nature and danger of the criminal offence, the personal characterising data of the accused
person, and the circumstances that aggravate and mitigate his or her liability.
Section 523. Writing of a Judgment
(1) After deciding of the matters referred to in Section 514 of this Law, a court shall write a
judgment composed of an introductory part, a descriptive part, a reasoned part, and an operative
part. The judgment shall be written in the official language.
(11) The court may write an abridged judgment. If the criminal case has been tried without
participation of the accused because the accused has repeatedly failed arrive to a court hearing
without a justified reason, or in the absence of the accused (in absentia), the court may write an
abridged judgment, preparing the full court ruling within 14 days and notifying the date of
availability thereof.
(2) A judgment shall be signed by all the judges who participated in trial. A judge who has a
dissenting conclusion shall also sign the judgment.
(3) Corrections to the text of a judgment shall be justified before the signing of such judgment.
[30 March 2017; 20 June 2018]
Section 524. Introductory Part of Judgments
(1) The following shall be indicated in the introductory part of a judgment:
1) that the judgment has been rendered in the name of the State;
2) the date of the announcement of the judgment;
3) the name of the court that rendered the judgment;
4) the composition of the court;
5) the prosecutor and defence counsel;
6) the given name, surname, and personal identity number (or, if such number does not
exist, the date and place of birth) of the accused;
7) The section, paragraph, and clause of The Criminal Law on the basis of which the
person was prosecuted.
Section 525. Descriptive Part and Reasoned Part of a Judgment of Acquittal
(1) The descriptive part of a judgment of acquittal shall indicate the essence of the prosecution.
(2) The reasoned part of a judgment of acquittal shall indicate:
1) the circumstances of the event ascertained by the court;
2) the grounds for the acquittal of the accused and the evidence that confirms such
acquittal;
3) the reasons why the court rejects the evidence with which the prosecution has been
justified;
Section 526. Operative Part of a Judgment of Acquittal
(1) The operative part of a judgment of acquittal shall indicate a court decision:
1) regarding the fact that an accused (referring to his or her given name and surname)
has been found innocent in the prosecution pursued against him or her (referring to the section,
paragraph, and clause of The Criminal Law in which the relevant criminal offence has been
provided for) and acquitted;
2) regarding the revocation of a security measure;
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3) regarding the revocation of means for ensuring the confiscation of property and the
consideration of harm, if such confiscation and consideration have been applied;
4) regarding the work remuneration of an advocate;
5) regarding the sending of a case, or a part thereof, to the Office of the Prosecutor, if a
criminal offence has taken place but the participation of an accused has not been proven in the
criminal case.
(2) If a court renders a judgment of acquittal, such court shall leave without examination an
application regarding the consideration of harm caused as a result of an offence. The leaving of
an application without examination shall not be an impediment to the raising of a claim for
compensation for harm in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure
Law.
(3) If a court renders a judgment of acquittal and takes a decision to send a part of the case to
the Office of the Prosecutor, it shall concurrently indicate the decision of the court to divide the
criminal proceedings in the operative part of the judgment.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 29 May 2014]
Section 527. Descriptive Part and Reasoned Part of a Judgment of Conviction
(1) The descriptive part of a judgment of conviction shall provide a description and legal
qualification of a criminal offence, referring to the time and place of the committing thereof,
the manner of committing, the form of guilt and motives of the accused, and the consequences
of such offence.
(2) The reasoned part of a judgment of conviction shall indicate:
1) the evidence on which the conclusions of the court have been justified;
2) the reasons why the court rejected other evidence;
3) the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the liability of the accused;
4) the reasons why part of the prosecution has been recognised as unproven, if the court
has so recognised;
5) the reasons for the modification of prosecution, if the prosecution was modified in
court;
6) the reasons regarding the application of the specific punishment;
7) the deciding of the matters related to the execution of the judgment, if necessary;
(3) If, on the basis of a taken decision, a verification of evidence has not been performed in a
court hearing, a court shall indicate in a judgment that the guilt of the accused has been proven.
In such cases, an analysis of evidence and an inventory thereof shall not be necessary.
Section 528. Operative Part of a Judgment of Conviction
(1) The operative part of a judgment of conviction shall indicate a court decision on:
1) the fact that an accused (referring to his or her given name and surname) has been
found guilty of a criminal offence (referring to the section, paragraph, and clause of The
Criminal Law in which the relevant criminal offence has been provided for);
2) the type and amount of a punishment imposed on an accused regarding each criminal
offence, and the final punishment that must be served;
3) the releasing of an accused from a criminal punishment, if he or she may be released
from such punishment;
4) the application of a compulsory measure of a correctional nature, if a minor has been
released from a criminal punishment;
5) the deduction in the term of the punishment of the term of security measures related
to the deprivation of liberty applied to an accused;
6) the probationary supervision period in case of a suspended sentence;
7) the security measure;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 205
8) the acquittal of the accused in a part of the prosecution, if the court has recognised
such acquittal;
9) compensation for harm, including the amount of compensation disbursed by the State,
determining a term for voluntary execution of the judgment – 30 days from the date of the
entering into effect of the judgment –, and an obligation to submit documents to a court
regarding compensation for harm;
10) ensuring of compensation for harm or a confiscation of property, if such
compensation or confiscation has not be previously performed;
11) confiscation or recovery of criminally acquired property;
12) recovery of the work remuneration of an advocate from an accused or regarding the
releasing of him or her from such recovery;
13) [12 March 2009];
14) the releasing of an accused from arrest, house arrest, or a social correctional
educational institution in a courtroom, if a punishment not related to deprivation of liberty has
been specified for him or her.
(2) In applying a suspended sentence, a court shall decide on the probationary supervision
period and to whom supervision of the person is to be assigned.
(3) A court may, with the consent of the accused, apply upon a person who has received a
suspended sentence and who has committed a criminal offence under the influence of alcohol,
narcotic, psychotropic, or toxic substances the duty to get treatment for addiction to alcohol,
narcotic, psychotropic, or toxic substances, assigning the relevant State Probation Service office
and medical institution the control of the execution of such duty.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017]
Section 529. Additional Matters of the Operative Part of a Judgment of Conviction or
Acquittal
(1) The operative part of a judgment shall additionally indicate a court decision on:
1) confiscation of object for committing a criminal offence and property related to a
criminal offence, as well as actions with the material evidence, documents, property related to
criminal offence, and other objects and valuables withdrawn during the proceedings;
2) consideration for procedural expenditures, determining a term for voluntary
execution of the judgment – 30 days from the date of the entering into effect of the judgment;
3) the procedures and terms for the appeal of the judgment;
31) extension of the term for the appeal for 10 days more due to especial complexity and
amount of the criminal proceedings;
4) [30 March 2017];
5) the date when the full court ruling will be available, if the criminal case has been tried
without participation of the accused, because the accused has repeatedly failed to arrive to a
court hearing without a justified reason, or in the absence of the accused (in absentia).
(2) In the operative part of a judgment, a court shall additionally indicate information regarding
the sentence execution institution and arrival deadline.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 30 March 2017; 22 June 2017; 20 June 2018;
27 September 2018]
Section 530. Abridged Judgments
(1) An abridged judgment shall consist of an introductory part, a descriptive part and an
operative part.
(2) After declaration of the abridged judgment, a court shall issue an extract of the abridged
judgment.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 206
(3) A prosecutor, accused, victim, defence counsel or representative, as well as owner of
property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized, may, within
10 days from the day of declaration of the abridged judgment, submit a written request to the
court regarding drawing up a full judgment. After the end of the time period for submitting the
request, if the request is received regarding drawing up a full judgment, the court shall draw up
the full judgment within 14 days by notifying the date of its availability.
(4) If due to the amount, legal complexity of a case or other objective circumstances a full court
judgment is not drawn up in a laid down time, a judge shall notify a prosecutor, accused, victim,
defence counsel and representative, as well as owner of property infringed during criminal
proceedings whose property has been seized when a full court judgment will be available.
Drawing up of a full court judgment may be postponed only once.
(5) An abridged judgment shall not be subject to appeal.
[30 March 2017; 22 June 2017]
Section 531. Pronouncement of a Judgment
(1) A court shall pronounce a judgment by reading its introductory and operative part.
(2) [12 March 2009]
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 30 March 2017]
Section 532. Release of an Accused in a Courtroom
(1) After pronouncement of a judgment, a court shall immediately release the following from
arrest, house arrest, or a social correctional educational institution:
1) an acquitted person;
2) an accused for whom a criminal punishment has not been determined;
3) an accused who has been released from a criminal punishment;
4) an accused to whom a punishment of deprivation of liberty has been imposed and for
whom the time spent under arrest, house arrest, or in a social correctional educational institution
at the moment of the pronouncement of the judgment reaches or exceeds the term for
deprivation of liberty specified in the judgment;
5) an accused for whom a punishment of deprivation of liberty has been imposed
conditionally;
6) an accused for whom a punishment not related to deprivation of liberty has been
imposed.
(2) If a court releases from arrest a person who is a third-country national who does not have
the right to reside in Latvia, the court shall, without delay, notify the competent authority
thereof, which has the right to detain the third-country national.
[21 October 2010; 20 December 2012]
Section 533. Ancillary Court Decision
(1) A court may take an ancillary decision, simultaneously with a final ruling, in which
violations of legal norms determined in a criminal case shall be indicated for the competent
authority or official, as well as the causes and facilitating circumstances thereof, and the
elimination thereof shall be requested.
(2) A court may take an ancillary decision, on the basis of materials of the trial of a criminal
case, on expression of recognition to a person who has provided substantial assistance in the
disclosure and elimination of a criminal offence, as well as regarding other facts, if considered
necessary.
(3) The authority or official who has received an ancillary court decision shall take the
necessary measures and notify the court of its results not later than within one month.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 207
(4) An ancillary court decision shall enter into effect simultaneously with a judgment.
Section 534. Protection of the Property and Dependants of an Accused
If, in rendering a judgment of conviction, a court applies a security measure related to
deprivation of liberty to an accused, and therefore a minor or another person under the
guardianship or custody of the accused is left without supervision and care, or the property of
the accused is left without supervision, the court shall ensure the protection measures referred
to in Section 248 of this Law.
Section 535. Issuance of a Copy of a Judgment to an Accused
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 48 Special Features of Court Proceedings in the Case of a Settlement between a
Victim and an Accused
Section 536. Report on Settlement between a Victim and an Accused
(1) A victim and an accused may notify regarding a settlement in the case provided for in the
Law up to the retiring of the court to the deliberation room.
(2) If a settlement has been submitted in writing, such settlement shall be attached to a case.
The settlement shall indicate that such settlement has been entered into voluntarily and that the
victim understands the consequences of the settlement.
(3) If an accused submits a written settlement without the presence of a victim, and the victim
is a natural person, the settlement must be notarially certified or certified by an intermediary
trained by the State Probation Service.
(4) If a victim and an accused notify orally of a settlement during a court hearing, an entry on
the settlement shall be made in the minutes of the court hearing, and the victim and the accused
shall sign regarding such settlement.
(5) Before the signing of a settlement or after receipt of a written settlement, a court shall verify
whether such settlement has been entered into voluntarily, and whether the victim understands
the consequences of the settlement.
[12 March 2009]
Section 537. Examination of the Materials of a Case in the Case of a Settlement
(1) If a settlement is submitted, or the minutes of a court hearing are signed regarding such
settlement, after a court investigation has been commenced, and the court has no doubts
regarding the guilt of the accused, such court may interrupt the investigation and transport to
court debates.
(2) If a victim and an accused notify regarding a settlement in a case provided for in Section
377, Clause 9 of this Law during court debates or after discussions, the court shall interrupt the
discussion, find out whether a settlement is of his or her own free will, explain the consequences
thereof and take a decision.
(3) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009]
Section 538. Consequences of a Settlement
If a victim and an accused notify regarding a settlement up to the retiring of a court to
the deliberation room, the court may take a decision, without examining court materials, on
releasing of the accused from criminal liability and the termination of criminal proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 208
Chapter 49 Special Features of Court Proceedings in Relation to an Agreement Entered
into during Pre-trial Proceedings
Section 539. Preparation of a Criminal Case for Trial in a Court Hearing in Agreement
Proceedings
(1) After receipt in court of a criminal case submitted in accordance with agreement procedures,
the judge shall examine, in addition to that which is specified in Section 486 of this Law,
whether the agreement was entered into in pre-trial proceedings in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this Law, and that a violation of the norms of The Criminal Law has
not been allowed. A judge shall evaluate the type of a punishment provided for in the agreement
entered into only in case if it is established that the selected type of punishment is not
commensurate with the nature of the criminal offence committed and the harm caused. In
determining a violation, the judge shall take a decision and send the case to the prosecutor for
elimination of the violation. A prosecutor may, within 10 days, submit a protest regarding a
decision to a higher-level court the judge of which shall examine such protests in a written
procedure and his decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(2) Examination of a criminal case in agreement proceedings shall commence within 21 days
from the day when such case was received in the court proceedings of a judge.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Section 540. Composition of a Court
A judge shall try a criminal case in agreement proceedings sitting alone.
[12 March 2009]
Section 540.1 Trial of a Criminal Case in Writing in Agreement Proceedings
(1) A judge may take a decision to try a case in a written procedure.
(2) The following shall be indicated in a decision on accepting a case for trial in a written
procedure:
1) the right for a prosecutor, an accused, a defence counsel and a victim to submit
recusation of the court composition within 10 days and to submit objections against trial of the
case in a written procedure;
2) the day of availability of the ruling.
(3) A case shall be examined in a written procedure according to the materials in the case.
(4) If a prosecutor, an accused, a defence counsel or a victim has submitted objections against
the trial of the case in written procedure or an accused refuses an agreement, a court shall take
the decision to try the case in oral procedure. A court may take a decision to try a case in an
oral procedure upon its own initiative.
(5) A court, upon having examined a case in the written procedure, shall make one of the
following rulings:
1) a decision to terminate the case if such circumstances are established, which do not
allow criminal proceedings;
2) a decision to send the case to a prosecutor for elimination of violations;
3) a judgment of conviction;
4) [27 September 2018].
(6) A court shall render a judgment of conviction, complying with the conditions for rendering
a judgment, which have been specified for the trial of a case in oral form in agreement
proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 209
(7) The ruling of a court made in accordance with the procedures of Paragraph five of this
Section may be appealed only according to cassation procedures.
[24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 541. Court Investigation
(1) A court shall commence an investigation by becoming acquainted with an agreement, which
shall be read by a prosecutor.
(2) After hearing an agreement, a court shall ascertain whether the accused understands the
criminal offence for the committing of which he or she is being prosecuted, whether he or she
considers himself or herself guilty, whether he or she signed the agreement consciously and
voluntarily, and whether he or she understands the consequences thereof and agrees that the
entered into agreement will be complied with.
(21) If an accused refuses an agreement, a court continues the trial of the case in accordance
with general procedures.
(3) A court shall offer an accused and his or her representative the opportunity to provide
explanations regarding the circumstances of the entering into of an agreement.
(4) A court shall ascertain the attitude of a defence counsel and prosecutor toward an agreement.
(5) A court shall also hear other persons summoned in a case.
(6) At the end of a court investigation, the court shall invite the members of the court hearing
to express requests, and shall decide on the satisfying or rejection of such requests.
(7) After deciding of a submitted request, a court shall retire to the deliberation room to render
a judgment, notifying the persons present at the court hearing of such judgment.
[27 September 2018]
Section 542. Rulings of a Court in Agreement Proceedings
(1) A court shall make one of the following rulings in the deliberation room:
1) a decision to terminate a case, if circumstances have been determined that do not
allow for criminal proceedings;
2) a decision to send the case to a prosecutor for elimination of violations;
3) a judgment of conviction;
4) [27 September 2018].
(2) A court ruling shall be appealed only in accordance with cassation procedures.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 543. Court Judgment in Agreement Proceedings
(1) If a court does not have any doubts regarding the guilt of an accused, such court shall render
a judgment of conviction. The court may write an abridged judgment.
(2) A court shall outline the essence of an entered into agreement, which a prosecutor, accused,
and his or her defence counsel have confirmed in a court hearing, in the reasoned part of a
judgment, and shall evaluate the validity of the entered into agreement.
(3) The operative part of a judgment shall indicate a court decision on:
1) the fact that an accused (referring to his or her given name and surname) has been
found guilty of a criminal offence (referring to the section, paragraph, and clause of The
Criminal Law in which the relevant criminal offence has been provided for);
2) the fact that the court approves the entered into agreement and imposed the type and
amount of punishment provided for in such agreement;
3) the releasing of an accused from arrest, house arrest, or a social correctional
educational institution in a courtroom, if a punishment not related to deprivation of liberty has
been specified for him or her.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 210
4) the deduction of the term of a security measure related to deprivation of liberty
applied on an accused in the term of a punishment;
5) the probationary supervision period in the case of a suspended sentence;
6) the security measure;
7) compensation for harm, including the amount of compensation disbursed by the State;
8) ensuring of compensation for harm or a confiscation of property, if such ensuring has
not been previously performed;
9) actions with material evidence and documents;
10) consideration for procedural expenditures;
11) recovery of the work remuneration of an advocate from an accused or regarding the
releasing of him or her from payment;
12) [12 March 2009];
13) the opportunity to appeal the judgment in accordance with cassation procedures, and
the term thereof.
(31) In the operative part of a judgment, a court shall additionally indicate information regarding
the sentence execution institution and arrival deadline.
(4) A court, rendering a judgment, may determine the punishment provided for in the agreement
protocol, if a mistake has been made in determining the final punishment, or if it is connected
with time on flow from the day of entering into agreement until the day of the trial. The
correction may not deteriorate the state of the accused.
[12 March 2009; 30 March 2017; 27 September 2018]
Chapter 50 Special Features of Court Proceedings in Entering Into an Agreement in
Trial Proceedings
Section 544. Right to Enter Into an Agreement in Trial Proceedings
(1) A prosecutor and an accused have the right to mutually agree, up to the completion of a
court investigation, regarding the completion of criminal proceedings by entering into an
agreement regarding the admission of guilt and a punishment.
(2) The entering into of an agreement in trial proceedings shall be allowed, if:
1) [12 March 2009];
2) the accused agrees to the size and legal qualification of the incriminating criminal
offence;
3) the accused admits his or her guilt completely in the committing of the criminal
offence for which he or she has been incriminated.
[12 March 2009; 30 March 2017]
Section 545. Actions of a Court after Receipt of an Application
In receiving the oral or written application of a prosecutor or accused, or his or her
defence counsel or representative, regarding the desire to enter into an agreement, a court shall
do the following:
1) examine the admissibility of the agreement in the specific proceedings;
2) explain to the accused the consequences of the agreement;
3) ascertain whether the prosecutor or accused, or his or her representative, accordingly,
agrees to the entering into of the agreement;
4) ascertain the views of the victim or his or her representative regarding the application
of the agreement;
5) determine a break in the court hearing for the co-ordination of the agreement and the
submission thereof to the court.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 211
Section 546. Trial of a Criminal case in Agreement Proceedings
(1) If an agreement has been entered into, a court shall continue, after hearing break, the trial
of the case with the same composition and in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Chapter 49 of this Law.
(2) If a prosecutor and accused notify, after break in the court hearing, that an agreement has
not been entered into, the court shall continue the trial of the case in accordance with general
procedure.
(3) If an agreement entered into during the interruption of the court hearing fails to comply with
the rules of The Criminal Law, a court shall not approve it and the case shall be examined in
accordance with general procedure.
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 51 Special Features of Court Proceedings in Proceedings regarding the
Application of Coercive measures on Legal Persons
Section 547. Deciding a Criminal Case in a Court
[14 March 2013]
Section 547.1 Court Proceedings in the Proceedings Regarding Application of a Coercive
Measure to a Legal Person
(1) If the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure are isolated in separate
records or initiated on the basis of Section 439, Paragraph 3.1 of this Law, the court proceedings
shall be carried out in conformity with the procedures for examination of a case in the court of
first instance, unless it has been laid down otherwise in Chapter 51 of this Law.
(2) If a legal person does not have a representative or it is not possible to ensure the appearance
of the representative in the court, the trial may take place without the representative of the legal
person. The court may try a criminal case if the defence counsel participates in the court hearing.
[14 March 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 548. Court Ruling
(1) In examining the materials of the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive
measure to a legal person the court must decide:
1) whether a criminal offence has taken place;
2) whether the circumstances referred to in Section 440 of this Law have been
ascertained;
3) whether the criminal offence was committed in the interests or for the benefit of, or
due to insufficient monitoring or control by the legal person;
4) which coercive measure shall be applied.
(2) Having recognised that the facts referred to in Paragraph one of this Section have not been
proved, a court shall terminate the criminal proceedings in the part regarding the application of
a coercive measure to a legal person.
(3) If the proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure to a legal person are
isolated in separate records and the court recognises that the facts referred to in Paragraph one
of this Section have not been proved, the court shall terminate the proceedings.
[14 March 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 212
Section 548.1 Examination in the Court of a Criminal Case, in which an Agreement
Regarding the Application of a Coercive Measure to a Legal Person has
been Entered into
(1) After receipt of a case, in which an agreement has been entered into, the judge shall verify
whether the agreement was entered into in accordance with the procedures laid down in this
Law and whether a violation of the norms of the Criminal Law has not been committed. The
judge shall evaluate the type of a coercive measure provided for in the agreement entered into
only in case if it is established that the selected type of coercive measure is not commensurate
with the nature of the criminal offence committed and the harm caused. In determining a
violation, the judge shall take a decision and send the case to the prosecutor for elimination of
the violation. The prosecutor may, within 10 days, submit a protest regarding a decision to a
higher-level court the judge of which shall examine such protests in a written procedure and his
or her decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(2) The case shall be tried by a judge sitting alone. Examination of the case shall commence
within 21 days from the day when such case was received in the court proceedings of the judge.
(3) The court shall commence examination of the case by becoming acquainted with an
agreement, which shall be read by a prosecutor. After hearing the agreement the court shall
ascertain whether the legal person admits to the fact committing a criminal offence and agrees
to the amount, qualification of the offence, in relation to which a coercive measure is applied,
evaluation of the harm caused and application of the agreement procedure, whether he or she
signed the agreement intentionally and voluntarily, whether he or she is aware of its
consequences and agrees that the agreement entered into will be conformed to.
(4) The court shall ascertain the attitude of the legal person and prosecutor towards the
agreement, as well as hear other persons invited in this case.
(5) The court shall invite the members of the court hearing to express requests, and shall decide
on the satisfying or rejection of such requests.
(6) After deciding of a submitted request, a court shall retire to the deliberation room to make
a ruling by notifying the persons present at the court hearing of such ruling.
[29 May 2014; 30 March 2017]
Section 548.2 Court Rulings in Cases, in which an Agreement Regarding the Application
of a Coercive Measure to a Legal Person has been Entered into
(1) A court shall make one of the following rulings in the deliberation room:
1) a decision to terminate proceedings regarding the application of a coercive measure
to a legal person, if such circumstances are established, which preclude the application of the
proceedings regarding a coercive measure;
2) a decision to send the case to a prosecutor for elimination of violations;
3) a decision to apply a coercive measure to a legal person;
4) a decision to try the case in accordance with general procedure, if a legal person
refuses the agreement.
(2) Court ruling shall be appealed only in accordance with cassation procedures.
[29 May 2014]
Section 548.3 Trial in a Written Procedure of a Criminal Case, in which an Agreement
Regarding the Application of a Coercive Measure to a Legal Person has
been Entered into
(1) A judge may take a decision to try a case in a written procedure.
(2) The following shall be indicated in a decision on accepting a case for trial in a written
procedure:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 213
1) the right for a prosecutor, a legal person, and a victim to submit recusation of the
court composition within 10 days and to submit objections against trial of the case in a written
procedure;
2) the day of availability of the ruling.
(3) A case shall be examined in a written procedure according to the materials in the case.
(4) If a prosecutor, a legal person or a victim has submitted objections against trial of the case
in a written procedure, the court shall take a decision to try the case in an oral procedure. A
court may take a decision to try a case in an oral procedure upon its own initiative.
(5) The court, having examined the case in a written procedure, shall take one of the judgments
specified in Section 548.2, Paragraph one of this Law.
(6) The ruling of a court made in accordance with the procedures of Paragraph five of this
Section may be appealed only according to cassation procedures.
[29 May 2014]
Part 10
Examination of a Case in an Appellate Court and a Cassation Court
Chapter 52 Preparation of a Case for Trial in an Appellate Court
[12 March 2009]
Section 549. Appeal in Accordance with Appellate Procedures
Appeal in accordance with appellate procedures is the submission of a written appellate
protest or complaint regarding a full court ruling that has not entered into effect of a court of
first instance for the purpose of achieving the revocation thereof completely or in a part thereof
both due to actual and legal reasons.
[30 March 2017]
Section 550. Terms for the Submission of an Appellate Complaint and Protest
(1) An appellate complaint or protest shall be submitted not later than within 10 days or, if the
court has extended the term for appeal, not later than within 20 days after the day when a full
court ruling became available.
(2) After a specific term, a judge may refuse to accept a submitted appellate complaint or protest
with a decision that may be written in the manner of a resolution, if the submitter has not
requested the renewal of the term. The submitter shall be notified of the taken decision, but the
submitted complaint or protest shall be attached to the case. In requesting to renew the missed
term, the requirements of Section 317, Paragraph one of this Law shall be complied with and
the complaint shall be attached.
(3) A decision of a judge with which the acceptance of an appellate complaint or protest has
been refused may be appealed within 10 days in an appellate court, whose decision shall not be
subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009]
Section 551. Content of an Appellate Complaint and Protest
(1) The following shall be indicated in an appellate complaint or protest:
1) the court ruling regarding which the complaint or protest is being submitted;
2) the amount in which the ruling is being appealed or protested;
3) the way in which the error in the ruling has been expressed;
4) evidence that must be examined in an appellate court;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 214
5) whether new evidence is being submitted, what new evidence is being submitted,
regarding which circumstances, and why such evidence was not submitted or examined in a
court of first instance;
6) the request of the submitter;
7) a list of the documents attached to the complaint or protest.
(2) An appellate complaint or protest shall be signed by the submitter thereof.
(3) An appellate complaint or protest shall indicate the given name, surname, and address of
the person the interrogation of whom in an appellate court the submitter of the complaint or
protest requests, as well as whether a defence counsel will be necessary in the appellate court,
and whether or not the court must invite for such defence counsel.
(4) A victim and his or her representatives may not request more in an appellate complaint than
what he or she had requested in trial in a court of first instance.
(5) A prosecutor has a duty to submit a protest regarding an unlawful or unjustified court ruling.
However, a prosecutor who has participated in a court of first instance is entitled to submit a
protest only regarding judgments in which the court has not taken into account his or her views
in the trial of the case, or also has allowed violations that he or she was unable to prevent in the
course of the trial of the case. Such restrictions do not apply to higher-ranking prosecutors.
[12 March 2009]
Section 552. Procedures for the Submission of an Appellate Complaint and Protest
(1) An appellate complaint or protest shall be addressed to a court that is one level higher – an
appellate court.
(2) An appellate complaint or protest shall be submitted to the court that made the ruling.
Section 553. Leaving an Appellate Complaint and Protest without Advancement or
Examination
(1) If an appellate complaint or protest does not comply with the requirements of Section 551,
Paragraphs one, two and three of this Law, a judge shall take a decision to leave an appellate
complaint or protest without advancement, indicating the deficiencies of the complaint or
protest, and shall determine 10 days for the submitter to eliminate the deficiencies. The decision
shall not be subject to appeal.
(2) If a submitter does not eliminate deficiencies within the specified term, a judge shall take a
decision to leave the appellate complaint or protest without examination notifying the recipient
thereof.
(3) A judge shall take a decision to leave the appellate complaint or protest without examination
even then, if the conditions of Section 499, Paragraph four of this Law are not observed in cases
when a case is examined without verification of evidence, as well as if the conditions of Section
551, Paragraphs four and five of this Law are not observed therein.
(4) A decision which is taken in cases provided for in Paragraph two and three of this Section
may be appealed within 10 days in an appellate court the decision of which shall not be subject
to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Section 554. Consequences of the Submission of an Appellate Complaint and Protest
(1) The submission of an appellate complaint or protest shall suspend the entering into effect
of a judgment in relation to all the accused in such case.
(2) The submission of an appellate complaint or protest regarding a court judgment of acquittal
shall not suspend the entering into effect of a judgment in the part regarding the releasing of an
accused from arrest, house arrest, or a social correctional educational institution.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 215
(3) [21 October 2010]
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 555. Additions, Objections, and Explanations of an Appellate Complaint or
Protest
(1) After the end of the term for the submission of an appellate complaint or protest, the court
that rendered the judgment shall send the case to an appellate court, and shall send a copy of
the submitted appellate complaint or protest to the persons whose interests and rights have been
infringed upon by the appellate complaint or protest, and shall also inform such persons
regarding the sending of the case to the appellate court.
(2) Persons whose interests and rights have been infringed upon by an appellate complaint or
protest have the right, until the day when the case will be adjudicated in an appellate court,
submit their written objections against an appellate complaint or protest and explanations
regarding such objections. Objections to an appellate complaint or protests and explanations
regarding such objects shall be attached to the case.
(3) Persons who have submitted an appellate complaint or protest are entitled to submit
additions to the complaint or protest to an appellate court not later than within 10 days after the
end of the appeal term, yet such persons shall not be permitted to modify the essence of the
initial request.
[12 March 2009]
Section 556. Withdrawal of Appellate Complaints or Protests
(1) A person who has submitted an appellate complaint or protest is entitled to withdraw his or
her complaint or protest up to the moment when an appellate court retires to deliberate for the
making a ruling.
(2) Without restrictions the following may be withdrawn:
1) the submitter of a complaint – his or her appellate complaint;
2) an accused of legal age – n appellate complaint of his or her defence counsel and his
or her former representative;
3) a victim of legal age – an appellate complaint of his or her representative;
4) a prosecutor – his or her appellate protest, and a higher-ranking prosecutor – an
appellate protest of a lower-ranking prosecutor.
(3) The following persons may withdraw the following complaints only with the written consent
of an accused:
1) his or her defence counsel – his or her appellate complaint;
2) his or her representative or former representative – his or her appellate complaint.
(4) The representative of a victim may withdraw his or her appellate complaint only with the
consent of such victim.
(5) The withdrawal of an appellate complaint shall not be binding on a court, if:
1) the appellate complaint has been withdrawn by a minor or a person for whom
protection is to be compulsorily ensured due to his or her natural person or mental deficiencies,
or the defence counsel or representative of such minor or person;
2) an appellate court determines a clear violation of The Criminal Law or this Law on
account of which the appealed ruling is to be revoked or modified in order to reduce the size of
the prosecution, reduce the punishment, or terminate the case.
(6) The court of first instance together with a criminal case the received withdrawal of an
appellate complaint shall send to an appellate court. If a withdrawal of an appellate protest is
received, a court of first instance may take a decision to terminate court proceedings.
(7) The appellate court or the judge of the appellate court shall, upon the receipt of withdrawal
of an appellate complaint or protest, take a decision to terminate court proceedings. If the court
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 216
proceedings are terminated, the submitter of a complaint or protest, as well as the persons whose
interests or rights the withdrawn complaint or protest has infringed shall be notified thereof.
The court shall notify regarding the taken decision the persons who submitted the appellate
complaint or protest. If a complaint or protest is withdrawn in writing, a decision may be taken
in a manner of resolution.
(8) The decision to terminate court proceedings shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009]
Section 557. Examination of an Appellate Complaint of the Representative of a Minor
Person
(1) An appellate complaint of the representative of an accused, or victim, who is a minor shall
be examined, if such complaint has not been withdrawn, also if the person being defended has
reached legal age at the moment of examination of the case.
(2) If such complaint of the former representative of an accused or minor has been submitted
after reaching of legal age of the minor, such complaint shall be left without examination.
Section 558. Circumstances that shall be Ascertained Before the Acceptance of a Case for
Trial
(1) In deciding a matter regarding acceptance of a case for examination, a judge shall ascertain
whether circumstances exist that prohibit the possibility to examine the case according to
appellate procedures.
(2) If, in receiving a case in a court of first instance, a judge determines that a court of first
instance has not fulfilled the requirements provided for in Chapter 52 of this Law, he or she
shall take a decision on returning of the case to the court of first instance for the elimination of
deficiencies, and shall notify, in writing, those persons whose interest and rights have been
infringed upon by the submitted appellate complaint or protest regarding such returning. The
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) If a case is received with a complaint or protest regarding a decision provided for in
Section 550, Paragraph three, Section 553, Paragraph two or three of this Law, a judge shall
take a decision on satisfaction or refusal of such complaint or protest and notify thereof the
submitter of the complaint or protest. If the complaint or protest is satisfied, a copy of the
accepted appellate or protest shall be sent to persons the interest of which such complaint or
protest infringes. The decision on refusal of a complaint or protest shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 559. Acceptance of a Case for Trial
(1) If circumstances do not exist that prohibit examination of a case according appellate
procedures, a judge shall take a decision on trial of the case in a written or oral procedure.
(2) A decision on acceptance of a case for trial shall indicate:
1) the place and time of the trial of the case;
2) the persons that are to be summoned to the court hearing;
3) how the submitted requests have been decided, and the additional materials that are
required in connection with the submitted requests.
(3) A prosecutor and persons whose interests and rights are infringed upon by a submitted
appellate complaint or protest shall be notified regarding the time and place of the trial of a
case.
(4) A case may be tried in a written procedure if:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 217
1) only the request regarding mitigation of a punishment imposed is expressed in the
appellate complaint or protest and if a prosecutor or a person whose interests and rights are
infringed by the complaint or protest does not object against it;
2) the conditions due to which the ruling of a court of first instance should be repealed
at any rate are indicated in the appellate complaint or protest and if a prosecutor or a person
whose interests and rights are infringed by the complaint or protest does not object against it;
21) the appellate complaint or protest contains a request only regarding compensation
for harm and if the public prosecutor or the person whose interests and rights are infringed by
the complaint or protest does not object against it;
3) only the request regarding mitigation of a punishment imposed is expressed in the
appellate complaint or protest and if the case has been examined in a court of first instance
without verification of evidence and the punishment imposed is not related to the deprivation
of liberty exceeding a term of five years;
4) such circumstances are indicated in the appellate complaint or protest, due to which
a ruling of a court of first instance should be repealed at any rate, and if the case has been
examined in a court of first instance without verification of evidence and the punishment
imposed is not related to the deprivation of liberty exceeding a term of five years; or
5) a request only regarding procedural expenses or material evidence is expressed in the
appellate complaint or protest;
6) the appellate complaint contains a request only regarding confiscation or recovery of
criminally acquired property.
(5) The following shall be indicated in a decision on acceptance of a case for trial in a written
procedure:
1) the composition of a court by which the case will be tried;
2) the rights of a prosecutor or a person, whose interests are infringed by the complaint
or protest to be examined, to submit a recusation within 10 days to a composition of a court or
a particular judge, to submit objections against the trial of a case in a written procedure, to
submit an opinion regarding the appellate complaint or protest;
3) the day of availability of the ruling.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 21 October 2010; 24 May 2012; 18 February 2016;
22 June 2017]
Chapter 53 Trial of a Case in Accordance with Appellate Procedures
[12 March 2009]
Section 560. Persons who Participate in the Trial of a Case in a Hearing of an Appellate
Court
(1) A prosecutor, the persons who have appealed a court judgment, the persons in relation to
whom a court judgment has been appealed or protested, and the defence counsel and
representatives thereof shall be summoned to a hearing of an appellate court.
(2) Other persons may be invited to a court hearing if such request has been expressed in an
appellate complaint or protest, and if such persons have not been interrogated in the
adjudication of the case in a court of first instance. A court may summon, on the basis of the
initiative thereof, persons who have been interrogated in a court of first instance, if the court
has justified doubts regarding the completeness of the provided testimony or regarding the
possible guilt of the accused in the incriminating prosecution.
(3) If a person who has submitted an appellate complaint or protest does not arrive at a court
hearing without a justifiable reason, his or her complaint or protest may be left without
examination. If an accused does not arrive at a court hearing without a justifiable reason, an
appellate complaint which has been submitted by his or her defence counsel may be also left
without examination. If a defence counsel does not arrive at a court hearing without a justifiable
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 218
reason, his or her complaint shall be examined, if it is maintained by the accused. A decision to
leave a complaint or protest without examination may be appealed within 10 days to the
Supreme Court, the decision of which shall not be subject to appeal.
(31) An appellate complaint of a victim or his or her representative shall be examined also in
the absence of a victim, if he or she has submitted the relevant request to a court thereon.
(4) If an accused who, in the appellate complaint thereof, has disputed his or her guilt in the
committing of a criminal offence or the factual circumstances of an offence has died, his or her
complaint must be examined.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 21 October 2010; 19 December 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 561. Trial of a Case in a Hearing of an Appellate Court
(1) A case shall be tried in a court of first instance by a panel of three judges, of whom one is
the chairperson of the court hearing. A case shall be tried in accordance with the procedures
laid down for the trial of a criminal case in a court of first instance, except that which is specified
in this Chapter.
(2) A court investigation shall commence with a report of a judge regarding the essence of a
judgment of a court of first instance, and regarding the requests expressed in an appellate
complaint or protest. After report, the judge shall ask the person who submitted the appellate
complaint or protest whether such person maintains his or her complaint or protest and in what
amount.
(3) The minutes of a court of first instance and written evidence and documents indicated in the
minutes shall be examined in a court hearing only when the person who conducts defence, a
prosecutor, and a victim or his or her representative, as well as owner of property infringed
during criminal proceedings whose property has been seized has submitted such a request.
[28 September 2005; 12 March 2009; 23 May 2013; 30 March 2017; 22 June 2017]
Section 561.1 Examination of an Appellate Complaint and Protest in a Written Procedure
(1) A case shall be examined in a written procedure according to materials present in the case,
taking into account the competence of an appellate court.
(2) A judge who has been assigned the duty of reporting shall notify regarding the circumstance
of a case.
(3) A court may take a decision in a written procedure on trial of a case in a written procedure
in cases when objections have been submitted by a prosecutor or a person whose interests and
rights are infringed by a complaint or protest.
(4) A court may take a decision to try a case in a written procedure also upon the initiative
thereof.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 562. Amount and Framework within which a Case shall be Tried in an Appellate
Court
(1) A court investigation, and court debates, in an appellate court shall take place in the amount
of, and within the framework of, the requirements expressed in a complaint or protest, which
shall not be exceeded, except cases where an appellate court has doubts regarding the guilt of,
or the circumstances aggravating the liability of, an accused, participants, or joint participants
that has been determined by a court of first instance.
(2) An appellate court shall apply a law regarding a criminal offence more serious than as
recognised by a court of first instance only if so requested by a prosecutor in his or her protest,
or by a victim in his or her complaint who is supported by a prosecutor. In such case, a law
regarding an offence more serious than the offence regarding which the person has been accused
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 219
in sending a criminal case to court shall not be applied, except the case where a prosecutor
modified the prosecution in a hearing of a court of first instance to a more serious prosecution.
(3) The determination of a more serious punishment for an accused shall be allowed if the
protest of a prosecutor or the complaint of a victim has been submitted for such reason, as well
as then, if upon a protest of a prosecutor or a complaint of a victim the prosecution has been
amended to a more serious prosecution.
(4) The finding of an acquitted person guilty, and the application of a punishment to such
person, shall be allowed only in cases where a protest of a prosecutor, or a complaint of a victim,
supported by a prosecutor, has been submitted for such reason.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010]
Section 563. Rulings of an Appellate Court
(1) In the oral procedure an appellate court shall make one of the following rulings:
1) to leave the ruling of the court of first instance unamended;
2) to revoke the ruling of the court of first instance and render a new ruling;
3) to revoke the ruling of the court of first instance in a part thereof and render a new
ruling in such part;
4) to revoke the ruling of the court of first instance and terminate criminal proceedings
in the cases provided for in this Law;
5) to revoke the ruling of the court of first instance completely or in a part thereof, and
send the criminal case to the court of first instance for examination de novo.
(11) In a written procedure a court of appeals shall take one of the following judgments:
1) to leave the judgment of the court of first instance unamended;
2) to revoke the judgment of the court of first instance in a part regarding a punishment
and render a new judgment in such part;
3) to revoke the ruling of the court of first instance completely or in a part, and send the
criminal case to the court of first instance for examination de novo;
4) to revoke the judgment of the court of first instance in a part regarding the applied
compensation for harm, confiscation or recovery of criminally acquired property, procedural
expenses, or material evidence and render a new judgment in such part or send the case to the
court of first instance for examination de novo.
(2) A court of appeals shall take a decision in the cases provided for in Paragraph one, Clauses 1,
4, and 5 and Paragraph 1.1, Clauses 1 and 3 of this Section.
[12 March 2009; 18 February 2016; 30 March 2017; 22 June 2017]
Section 564. Content of a Ruling of an Appellate Court
(1) A ruling of an appellate court shall consist of an introductory part, a descriptive part, a
reasoned part and an operative part.
(2) The introductory part of a ruling shall indicate the time and place of the acceptance thereof,
the name and composition of the court, the prosecutor, the person who submitted the appellate
complaint or protest, and the judgment that was appealed or protested.
(3) The descriptive part of a ruling shall indicate the essence of the appealed or protested
judgment, and the requests expressed in the appellate complaint or protest.
(4) The reasoned part of a ruling shall indicate the findings of the appellate court regarding the
validity of the appellate complaint or protest, the circumstances ascertained by the appellate
court, the evidence that confirms the findings of the appellate court, the motives why the
appellate court rejects some pieces of evidence, and the laws on the basis of which such court
conducts itself.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 220
(5) If an appellate court determines circumstances of a criminal offence that differ from the
circumstances indicated in the judgment of the court of first instance, such court shall provide
a new description of the criminal offence.
(6) If an appellate court leaves the judgment of a court of first instance without modifications,
such court may not repeat the evidence and findings referred to in the judgment of the court of
first instance.
(7) The operative part of a ruling shall indicate one of the rulings provided for in Section 563
of this Law. If a court takes the decision provided for in Section 563, Paragraph one, Clause 5
or Paragraph 1.1, Clause 3 of this Law, it shall also take a decision on a security measure. A
court may take a decision to extend a term for appeal for 10 days due to special complexity and
amount of criminal proceedings.
(8) If an appellate court renders a judgment that is essentially new, the descriptive part, reasoned
part, and operative part thereof shall comply with the requirements specified in this Law for a
judgment of a court of first instance.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012]
Section 565. Competence of an Appellate Court in the Rendering of a New Judgment
(1) An appellate court may do the following as a result of examination of an appellate complaint
or protest:
1) acquit an accused regarding all criminal offences, or a part of such offences, regarding
which a court of first instance rendered a judgment of conviction, determining a lighter
punishment or without changing the punishment determined;
2) find an accused guilty regarding the committing of a criminal offence that is less
serious than that recognised by a court of first instance, determining a lighter punishment or
without changing the punishment determined;
3) exclude from prosecution a separate independent part thereof, determining a lighter
punishment or without changing the punishment determined;
4) revoke the judgment of a court of first instance in the part regarding the punishment
determined, and determine a lighter punishment for the accused;
5) revoke the judgment of a court of first instance in the part regarding compensation
for harm, the ensuring of compensation for harm or the ensuring of confiscation of property,
material evidence, consideration of procedural expenses, and a security measure, and to render
a new judgment in such part.
(2) Having determined the incorrect application of The Criminal Law, an appellate court shall
also apply the requirement of Paragraph one of this Section to the other accused who have been
convicted regarding the same criminal offence, regardless of whether an appellate complaint or
protest has been submitted regarding such conviction.
(3) On the basis of the protest of a prosecutor, or the complaint of a victim, supported by a
prosecutor, an appellate court may:
1) find an accused guilty regarding the committing of a criminal offence that is more
serious than recognised by a court of first instance, determining a heavier punishment or without
changing the punishment;
2) revoke the judgment of acquittal of the court of first instance, and render a judgment
of conviction;
3) find an accused guilty regarding the committing of separate criminal offences, which
a court of first instance excluded from prosecution, determining a heavier punishment or
without changing the punishment;
4) [12 March 2009].
(4) On the basis of a protest of a prosecutor or a complaint of a victim, an appellate court may
revoke the judgment of a court of first instance in the part regarding a punishment, determining
a heavier punishment.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 221
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 December 2012]
Section 566. Competence of an Appellate Court in the Sending of a Criminal Case to a
Court of First Instance for Examination De novo
If, in examination of a case, an appellate court determines violations of this Law that
bring about the revocation of the judgment or another significant violation of this Law, which
it cannot eliminate by itself without infringing the right to defence of the accused, such court
shall, at any time of trial of the case by having heard opinions of the participants to the case,
take a decision to revoke the judgment of a court of first instance completely or in a part thereof,
and to send the case to a court of first instance for examination de novo.
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013; 30 March 2017]
Section 567. Termination of Appellate Court Proceedings
(1) If, in examination of a case, an appellate court determines violations of the requirements of
Section 550 of this Law, such court shall take a decision to terminate the appellate court
proceedings.
(2) If, in examination of a case in relation to an appellate complaint of a victim regarding a
judgment of acquittal or a request of the victim to apply the law for a more serious criminal
offence than recognised by the court, the prosecutor does not support the complaint, the court
shall discontinue court investigation and take a decision to terminate court proceedings of
appeal.
[18 February 2016]
Section 568. Pronouncement of a Ruling of an Appellate Court
(1) An appellate court shall pronounce the introductory part and operative part of a ruling.
(2) A court shall determine a time within the next 14 days when the full court ruling will be
available, indicating it in the operative part of the ruling.
(3) If due to the amount, legal complexity of a case or other objective circumstances a full court
ruling is not drawn up in a specified time, a judge shall notify a prosecutor, accused, victim,
defence counsel and representative, as well as owner of property infringed during criminal
proceedings whose property has been seized when a full court ruling will be available. Drawing
up of a full court ruling may be postponed only once.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014; 22 June 2017; 20 June 2018]
Chapter 54 Examination of a Case According to Cassation Procedures
Section 569. Appeal in Accordance with Cassation Procedures
(1) An appeal in accordance with cassation procedures is the submission of a written cassation
protest or complaint to the Supreme Court regarding the legality of a ruling of an appellate
court, which has not yet entered into effect, for the purpose of achieving the revocation thereof
completely or in a part thereof, or the modification thereof due to legal reasons.
(2) A ruling of a court of first instance that was made during agreement proceedings and has
not yet entered into effect may be appealed in accordance with the procedures, and for the
purpose, specified in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) A cassation court shall not evaluate evidence in a case de novo.
[19 December 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 222
Section 570. Terms for the Submission of a Cassation Complaint and Protest
(1) A cassation complaint or protest shall be submitted not later than within 10 days or, if a
court has extended the term for appeal, not later than within 20 days after the day when a full
court ruling became available.
(2) After a specific term, a judge may refuse to accept a submitted cassation complaint or protest
with a decision that shall be written in the manner of a resolution, if the submitter has not
requested the renewal of the term. The court shall notify the submitter of the taken decision,
and the submitted complaint or protest shall be attached to the case. In requesting to renew the
missed term, the requirements of Section 317, Paragraph one of this Law shall be complied
with and the complaint shall be attached.
(3) A decision of a judge, with which the acceptance of a cassation complaint or protest has
been refused, may be appealed within 10 days in the Supreme Court, whose decision shall not
be subject to appeal.
(4) A complaint or protest submitted in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph
one of this Section shall suspend the execution of a judgment or the entering into effect of a
decision.
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013]
Section 571. Persons who have the Right to Submit a Cassation Complaint or Protest
(1) A cassation complaint may be submitted by an accused, his or her defence counsel, a victim,
his or her representative and lawful representative, as well as owner of property infringed during
criminal proceedings whose property has been seized.
(2) An accused may submit a complaint regarding an infringement of his or her rights, and a
victim and owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings whose property has been
seized may submit a complaint in the part that infringes upon his or her rights and interests.
(3) A prosecutor may submit a cassation protest.
[22 June 2017]
Section 572. Content of a Cassation Complaint and Protest
A cassation complaint or protest shall include a justification of the requirements
expressed therein with a reference to the violation of The Criminal Law or of the norms of this
Law, as well as a reasoned request regarding examination of a case in oral proceedings in a
court hearing, if the submitter of the complaint or protest so wishes.
[27 September 2018]
Section 573. Procedures for Initiating Cassation Proceedings
(1) The legality of a ruling shall be examined in accordance with cassation procedures only in
the case where the action expressed in the cassation complaint or protest has been justified with
a violation of The Criminal Law or a substantial violation of this Law.
(2) The matter of examining a ruling in accordance with cassation procedures shall be decided
by the court in the composition of three judges. The composition of the court and time when
the matter of initiating cassation proceedings will be decided shall be notified to the person who
submitted the complaint or protest, and also to the person whose rights and interests have been
affected by the complaint or protest, explaining the right to raise an objection within seven days.
(3) Initiation of cassation proceedings shall be rejected by taking an unanimous decision in the
form of a resolution where the reasons for the rejection shall be indicated.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 223
(4) If the opinion of judges on the initiation of cassation proceedings differ or all judges believe
that the matter should be examined in accordance with cassation procedures, the decision on
the initiation of cassation proceedings shall be taken in the form of a resolution.
(5) The decision referred to in Paragraphs three and four of this Section shall not be subject to
appeal.
[27 September 2018]
Section 573.1 Grounds for the Refusal to Initiate Cassation Proceedings
(1) A court refuses to initiate cassation proceedings if the cassation complaint or protest does
not meet the requirements laid down in Sections 569, 571, 572 and Section 573, Paragraph one
of this Law or the cassation complaint or protest has been submitted regarding a court ruling
which shall not be subject to appeal in accordance with the Law.
(2) A court may refuse to initiate cassation proceedings in the following cases:
1) case law of the Supreme Court has been established in the issues of application of
legal norms indicated in the cassation complaint or protest, and the appealed ruling conforms
to it;
2) after evaluation of the arguments included in the cassation complaint or protest, no
concerns on the legality of the appealed ruling have arisen and the matter to be examined is not
relevant for the formation of case law.
[27 September 2018]
Section 574. Violations of The Criminal Law
A violation of The Criminal Law is:
1) an incorrect application of sections of the General Part of The Criminal Law;
2) the incorrect application of a section, paragraph, or clause of The Criminal Law in
qualifying a criminal offence;
3) the determination for an accused of a type or amount of punishment that has not been
provided for in the sanction of the relevant section, paragraph, or clause of The Criminal Law.
Section 575. Substantial Violations of the Criminal Procedure Law
(1) The following are substantial violations of the Criminal Procedure Law that bring about the
revocation of a court ruling:
1) a court has examined a case in an unlawful composition;
2) circumstances have not been complied with that exclude the participation of a judge
in examination of a criminal case;
3) a case has been examined in the absence of the accused or persons involved in the
proceedings, if the participation of the accused and such persons is mandatory in accordance
with this Law;
4) the right of the accused to use a language that he or she understands, and to use the
assistance of an interpreter, has been violated;
5) the accused was not given the opportunity to make a defence speech or was not given
the opportunity to say the last word;
6) a case does not have the minutes of a court hearing, if such minutes are mandatory;
7) in rendering a judgment, a secret of court deliberations has been violated;
8) a case has been examined without verification of evidence not taking into account the
conditions of Section 499 of this Law.
(2) The expulsion of an accused or victim from a courtroom may be recognised as a substantial
violation of this Law, if the expulsion was unjustified, and such expulsion has substantially
restricted the procedural rights of such persons, and, therefore, led to the unlawful ruling.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 224
(3) Other violations of this Law that led to an unlawful ruling may also be recognised as
substantial violations of this Law.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009]
Section 576. Procedures for the Submission of a Cassation Complaint and Protest
A cassation complaint or protest shall be submitted to the court that made the ruling.
Section 577. Consequences of the Submission of a Cassation Complaint and Protest
(1) The submission of an appellate complaint or protest shall suspend the entering into effect
of a ruling in relation to all the accused in such case.
(2) The submission of a cassation complaint or protest regarding a court judgment of acquittal
shall not suspend the entering into effect of a judgment in the part regarding the revocation of
a security measure – arrest, house arrest, or placement in a social correctional educational
institution.
(3) With the termination of the term for the appeal of a ruling, the court that made the ruling
shall send the case together with the cassation complaint or protest to the Supreme Court.
[19 December 2013]
Section 578. Report on the Submission of a Cassation Complaint or Protest
(1) The court that made the ruling shall notify the prosecutor of the submitted cassation
complaint and protest, as well as notify the persons whose interests and rights are infringed
upon by such complaint or protest, as well as inform the accused who is held under arrest
regarding his or her rights to request that he or she is provided with an opportunity of
participating in examination of a matter, and simultaneously send a copy of the submitted
complaint or protest to the prosecutor and such persons.
(2) The persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section may submit written objections or
explanations within 10 days after receipt of a copy of a complaint or protest, as well as a written
request to provide them with an opportunity of participating in the trial of a case, to be sent to
the Supreme Court.
[21 October 2010; 19 December 2013]
Section 579. Supplementation or Modification of a Cassation Complaint or Protest
(1) The submitter of a cassation complaint may submit supplements and modifications to the
complaint. The submitter of a cassation protest or a higher-ranking prosecutor may submit
supplements and modifications to the protest.
(2) Modifications or supplements to a protest, or to the complaint of a victim, that has been
submitted in accordance with cassation procedures after the end of the term for appeal shall not
put forth an action regarding the deterioration of the condition of the accused, if such action is
not in the initial protest or complaint.
(3) Supplements and modifications shall not be submitted later than within 10 days after the
end of the term for appeal. The Supreme Court shall immediately send copies thereof to the
other persons referred to in Section 578, Paragraph one of this Law who have the right within
10 days from the day of the receipt of copies of supplements and amendments to submit
objections or explanations thereon in writing.
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 225
Section 580. Withdrawal of Cassation Complaints or Protests
A cassation complaint or protest may be withdrawn in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Section 556 of this Law.
Section 581. Examination of a Cassation Complaint of the Representative of a Minor
Person
(1) A cassation complaint of the representative of an accused, or victim, who is a minor shall
also be examined if the defendant has reached legal age at the moment of examination of the
case.
(2) If such complaint of the former representative of an accused or minor has been submitted
after reaching of legal age of the minor, such complaint shall be left without examination.
Section 582. Composition of a Cassation Court
(1) A panel of three judges of the Supreme Court, of whom one is the chairperson of the hearing,
shall examine judgments and decisions in accordance with cassation procedures.
(2) A complaint or protest regarding decisions adopted in cases provided for in Section 560,
Paragraph three, Section 567 and Section 570, Paragraph two of this Law shall be decided by a
judge of a cassation court.
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013]
Section 583. Determination of Examination of a Case
(1) The judge who has been assigned to make an account shall familiarise himself or herself
with a case and, with a resolution to the cassation complaint or protest, determine examination
of the case in a written procedure or examination in a court hearing.
(2) Examination of a case in a written procedure shall be determined, if the taking of a decision
is possible on the basis of the materials in the case. If additional explanations are necessary
from persons who have the right to participate in proceedings, or if, on the basis of the discretion
of the Supreme Court, the relevant case may have special significance in the interpretation of
the norms of the law, examination of the case in a court hearing shall be determined.
(3) Persons who have submitted a complaint or protest, as well as persons whose interests are
infringed upon by the complaint or protest shall be notified whether a case will be examined in
a written procedure or a court hearing, indicating where and when such case will be examined.
(4) If examination of a case has been specified in a written procedure, the persons referred to in
Paragraph three of this Section shall be notified regarding the composition of the court, and the
right to submit a recusal within seven days shall be explained to such persons.
(5) In examining a case in a court hearing, an accused who is being held under arrest shall be
ensured the opportunity to participate in examination of the case, if he or she has requested such
participation in the term indicated in Section 578, Paragraph two of this Law.
[19 December 2013]
Section 584. Boundaries of Examination of a Case in a Cassation Court
(1) Examination of the legality of court rulings shall take place in the amount of, and within the
framework of, the requirements expressed in a cassation complaint or protest.
(2) A cassation court shall be permitted to exceed the amount and framework of requirements
expressed in a cassation complaint or protest in the cases where such court determines the
violations indicated in Sections 574 and 575 of this Law, and such violations have not been
indicated in the complaint or protest.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 226
Section 585. Examination of a Case in a Written Procedure
(1) A case shall be examined in a written procedure on the basis of the materials in the case, in
conformity with the competence of the cassation court.
(2) If necessary, a court shall request the submission of the views of the prosecutor within
10 days.
(3) A judge who has been assigned the duty of reporting shall notify regarding the circumstance
of a case.
(4) A cassation complaint or protests shall be decided by taking a decision.
(5) A decision to transfer a case for examination in a court hearing may also be taken in a written
procedure.
(6) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009; 19 December 2013]
Section 586. Examination of a Case in Oral Proceedings in a Hearing of a Cassation Court
(1) The chairperson of a court hearing shall open the hearing, announce which case is to be
examined, ascertain who has arrived for the court hearing, and decide the matter regarding the
possibility of examining the case. The non-arrival of an accused or his or her defence counsel,
or a victim or his or her representative, if he or she has been notified regarding the time and
place of the hearing of the cassation court, shall not be an impediment to examination of a case.
(2) The chairperson of a hearing shall announce the composition of the court, the surname of
the interpreter, prosecutor, and advocate, and ascertain whether there are recusals. If there are
such recusals, a court shall take a decision on such recusals.
(3) Examination of a case shall commence with an account of the judge in which he or she shall
outline the circumstances of the case that relate to the object of the complaint or protest, the
essence of the ruling regarding which the cassation complaint or protest has been submitted,
the reasons due to which the action has been submitted to revoke or modify the ruling.
(4) After account of the judge, the chairperson shall summon the submitter of the complaint,
his or her defence counsel or representative, to provide explanations for the justification of the
complaint. If the case is examined in connection with a protest, the prosecutor shall be given
the first word for the justification of the protest.
(5) In cases where the submitter of a complaint, his defence counsel or representative has not
arrived, the judge shall notify regarding the justification for the complaint.
(6) Afterward, the court may hear other persons who have been notified regarding the court
hearing and whose rights and interests are infringed upon by the cassation complaint or protest.
(7) After hearing of explanations, the prosecutor shall express his or her view regarding such
explanations. Then the court shall once again hear the accused or his or her defence counsel,
and take a decision in the deliberation room.
[19 December 2013; 22 June 2017]
Section 587. Court Decisions of a Cassation Court
(1) A cassation court shall take one of the following decisions:
1) to leave a ruling unamended, and reject a cassation complaint or protest;
2) to revoke a ruling completely or in a part thereof, and send a case for examination de
novo;
3) to revoke a ruling completely or in a part thereof, and terminate criminal proceedings;
4) to modify a ruling;
5) to terminate cassation court proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 227
(2) If a cassation court determines a significant violation of this Law which an appellate court
cannot eliminate, it shall repeal the rulings of courts of both instances and send the case for
examination de novo in a court of first instance.
[12 March 2009]
Section 588. Content of a Decision of a Cassation Court
(1) The following shall be indicated in a decision of a cassation court:
1) the time and place of the taking of the decision;
2) the name and composition of the court, and the prosecutor and other persons who
participated in examination of the case;
3) the person who submitted the cassation complaint or protest;
4) the contents of the operative part of the appealed ruling;
5) the essence of the action expressed in the cassation complaint or protest, the
justification for such action, and the essence of the objections and the views of the prosecutor;
6) the decision of the cassation court on complaint or protest.
(2) A decision shall be reasoned. If a cassation complaint or protest is rejected, the decision
shall indicate why the arguments expressed in the cassation or protest have been recognised as
unjustified.
(3) In the case of the revocation of a ruling, a cassation court shall indicate the law, and the
section thereof, that has been violated, and how such violation was made manifest.
(31) If a court of cassation takes the decision provided for in Section 587, Paragraph one,
Clause 2 of this Law, it shall also decide on a security measure.
(4) If a case is examined in oral procedure in a court hearing, the entire composition of the court
shall sign the operative part of a decision in the deliberation room. The chairperson, or a judge
of the court panel, shall immediately pronounce such decision in the courtroom.
(5) Decision of a cassation court shall not be subject to appeal, except for the case provided for
in Section 465, Paragraph seven of this Law. Such decision shall enter into effect at the moment
of the pronouncement thereof.
[24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 589. Compulsory Nature of an Instruction of a Cassation Court
(1) The translation of a law expressed in a decision of a cassation court shall be compulsory for
the court that examines such case de novo.
(2) A cassation court shall not indicate in a decision thereof what ruling must be made in
examining the case de novo.
Section 590. Transfer for Execution of a Decision of a Cassation Court
(1) A reasoned decision of a cassation court shall be signed by the entire composition of the
court not later than within five working days after acceptance thereof, and sent, together with
the case, to the following:
1) a court of first instance, if the decision referred to in Section 587, Clauses 1, 3, 4, and
5 of this Law has been taken;
2) the court whose ruling has been revoked, if a cassation court has taken a decision to
send a case for examination de novo.
(11) A copy of a decision of a court of cassation shall be sent to the submitter of a complaint
and a public prosecutor. The result of examination shall be notified to the other persons referred
to in Section 583, Paragraph three of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 228
(2) A decision on basis of which a security measure related to deprivation of liberty has been
revoked shall be executed immediately. In such case, a cassation court shall send an extract of
the decision for execution.
[12 March 2009]
Section 591. Examination of a Case after Revocation of a Judgment or Decision
(1) A case in which a made ruling has been revoked shall be sent for examination de novo to
the court that made such ruling. Such case shall be examined in accordance with general
procedure, but in a different composition of court.
(2) The intensification of a punishment, or the application of a law, regarding a more serious
criminal offence in examining a case de novo shall be allowed only if a judgment has been
revoked due to the lightness of a punishment or in connection with the fact that, on the basis of
the protest of a prosecutor or the complaint of a victim, the application of a law regarding a
more serious criminal offence was necessary.
(3) A ruling made in examining a case de novo may be appealed, and a protest regarding such
ruling may be submitted, in accordance with general procedure.
Division Eleven
Special Features of Criminal Proceedings in Cases of Separate Categories
Chapter 55 Criminal Proceedings in Determining Compulsory Measures of a Medical
Nature
Section 592. Grounds for Determining Compulsory Measures of a Medical Nature
(1) A court shall determine a compulsory measure of a medical nature provided for in
Section 68 of The Criminal Law for a person who has committed a criminal offence while in a
state of mental incapacity, or who, after committing of a criminal offence or the rendering of a
judgment, has fallen ill with mental disturbances that have taken away his or her capacity to
understand his or her actions or to control such actions, if such person, on the basis of the nature
of the committed offence and his or her mental condition, is dangerous to society.
(2) If the person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, on the basis of the nature of a
committed offence and his or her mental condition, is not dangerous to society, but has fallen
ill with mental disturbances, the person directing the proceedings may terminate criminal
proceedings by placing the respective person under the care of the immediate family or other
persons who perform nursing of patients.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 593. Procedures for Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) Pre-trial proceedings are mandatory regarding a criminal offence committed by a person
while in a state of mental incapacity, or regarding a criminal offence committed by a person for
whom mental disturbances have arisen following the committing of such offence, and such pre-
trial proceedings shall take place in accordance with the general procedures laid down in this
Law, as well as the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) If, during the course of criminal proceedings commenced in accordance with general
procedure, the grounds referred to in Section 592 of this Law have been ascertained, or the
findings of a court psychiatric expert-examination have been received regarding the existence
of such grounds, a prosecutor shall take a reasoned decision within 10 days to continue
proceedings for determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature. If necessary, the
materials of a criminal case regarding the specific person shall be distributed in separate
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 229
records. From this time on, a person which is held criminally liable shall lose the status of the
accused person.
[12 March 2009]
Section 594. Participation of a Person in the Conducting of Investigative Actions in Pre-
trial Proceedings
(1) In initiating proceedings for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature,
a prosecutor shall notify the relevant legal person, or the representative thereof, regarding such
initiation by sending a copy of the decision, and shall inform such persons and the representative
thereof regarding the rights and duties thereof.
(2) If proceedings have been initiated against a person for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature, and, in accordance with the findings of an expert-examination,
the person may not participate in the conducting of investigative actions in pre-trial
proceedings, a prosecutor shall inform the defence counsel of such person regarding such non-
participation, and shall take a decision on participation of a representative in criminal
proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 595. Circumstances to be Ascertained in Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) The following shall be ascertained in pre-trial proceedings for the determination of
compulsory measures of a medical nature:
1) the circumstances of the committing of a criminal offence;
2) whether the criminal offence was committed by the person to be examined;
3) whether the person was ill during the committing of the criminal offence with mental
disturbances due to which he or she was unable to understand his or her actions or control such
actions, or fell ill with such mental disturbances following the committing of the criminal
offence;
4) circumstances that do not allow for the application of a punishment, if the person has
fallen ill with mental disturbances following the committing of a criminal offence;
5) data characterising the persons to be examined;
6) the nature and amount of the harm caused as a result of the criminal offence.
(2) A court may determine compulsory measures of a medical nature if the circumstances
indicated in Paragraph one of this Section have been determined.
Section 596. Court Psychiatric Expert-examinations
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall determine a court psychiatric expert-examination
for a suspect or accused, if information has been acquired in criminal proceedings regarding the
fact that a person ill with mental disturbances committed a criminal offence while in a state of
mental incapacity, or has fallen ill following the committing of the criminal offence. The person
directing the proceedings shall notify the suspect or accused, as well as the representative and
defence counsel regarding the time and place of expert examination, if they have already
previously participated in the proceedings due to other reasons.
(2) In determining a court psychiatric expert-examination, the ascertaining of the circumstances
indicated in Section 595, Paragraph one, Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Law, and the posing of
specific questions to the expert, shall be necessary, including a question regarding whether the
person may participate in pre-trial proceedings and examination of the case in the court.
(3) A court psychiatric expert-examination is mandatory in proceedings for the determination
of compulsory measures of a medical nature.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 230
(4) If one year has passed since performance of expert-examination or if doubts regarding the
health condition of the person arise, the court shall determine a court psychiatric expert-
examination for the person.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 597. Suspension of Criminal Proceedings in Relation to the Placement of a Person
in a Medical Treatment Institution
(1) If a person who has fallen ill with mental disturbances after committing a criminal offence
may not participate in criminal proceedings on the basis of the findings of an expert, and
medical treatment is necessary for such person, such person may be placed in a medical
treatment institution by a court decision. The court shall take the decision during pre-trial
proceedings, on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the proceedings. During trial the
court shall take decision upon its initiative. After taking of the decision the person directing the
proceedings shall suspend the criminal proceedings.
(11) If a person has been cured or it is detected that he or she cannot be cured, the medical
treatment institution, in which the person was place, shall provide its findings to the person
directing the proceedings within six months.
(2) Having received findings from a medical treatment institution that a person has been cured
and that the continuation of an investigation is possible, the person directing the proceedings
shall renew and continue criminal proceedings.
(3) If, in accordance with the findings of an expert, a person is incurable and the determination
of one of the compulsory measures of a medical nature provided for in The Criminal Law is
necessary for him or her, the person directing the proceedings shall complete the proceedings
for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 598. Participation of a Defence Counsel and Representative in Proceedings
(1) The participation of a defence counsel is mandatory in proceedings for the determination of
compulsory measures of a medical nature.
(2) The participation of the representative of a person is mandatory in proceedings for the
determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature, if the person may not participate in
the proceedings himself or herself.
(3) A defence counsel and representative shall participate in proceedings from the moment
when the falling ill of the person with mental deficiencies is determined, if such defence counsel
and representative have not previously participated in proceedings due to other reasons.
(4) If, during criminal proceedings, a person is treated and found to have full mental capacity,
a court shall decide on the further participation of the representative in proceedings, but the
defence counsel shall continue to participate in proceedings.
Section 599. Revocation of a Security Measure
(1) In initiating proceedings for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature,
the security measure selected for a person shall be revoked.
(2) If a person is dangerous to society in connection with falling ill, the investigating judge in
pre-trial proceedings may take a decision, on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the
proceedings, to place such person in a psychiatric hospital for a time period up to six months
until the court takes a decision to determine compulsory measures of a medical nature. Placing
in a psychiatric hospital shall be applied and complaints about is shall be examined according
to the same procedures as about arrest. The investigating judge may extend the specified time
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 231
period for not more than six months in one extension, if the person is still dangerous to the
society due to his or her illness.
(3) If during the trial a court decides to continue the proceedings for the determination of
compulsory measures of a medical nature and if a person is dangerous to society due to his or
her illness, a court may decide on the placement of such person in a psychiatric hospital for a
time period up to six months. The judge may extend the specified time period for not more than
six months in one extension, if the person is still dangerous to the society due to his or her
illness. The person in relation to whom the proceedings for determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature is taking place, his or her defence counsel and representative, as
well as the person directing the proceedings may appeal the decision of the judge in a higher-
level court within seven days after receipt of the copy of the decision. The decision to examine
a complaint shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 600. Completion of Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) A prosecutor shall complete pre-trial proceedings for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature by taking a decision to send a criminal case to court for the
determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature, and such decision shall not be
subject to appeal.
(2) If there are several accused in a criminal case and a prosecutor takes a decision for one or
more of such accused to send the case to court for determination of compulsory measures of a
medical nature, the prosecutor shall complete the pre-trial proceedings in relation to the other
accused in accordance with general procedure.
(3) If the criminal proceedings indicated in Paragraph two of this Section may be completed in
relation to all accused simultaneously, the case shall be sent to the court for examination in
single proceedings.
Section 601. Decision to Send a Criminal Case to a Court
A decision to send a criminal case to a court for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature shall, in additional to general requirements, indicate the
circumstances referred to in Section 595, Paragraph one, Clauses 3 and 4 of this Law and
ascertained in pre-trial proceedings, and the grounds for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature.
Section 602. Preparation for a Court Hearing
(1) In preparing a case for examination, the judge shall decide the matter regarding which
persons are to be summoned to a court hearing.
(2) If a person against whom the proceedings for the determination of compulsory measures of
a medical nature are taking place, is located in a medical treatment institution, the judge shall
give an order to convey such a person to the court hearing, except the case when according to
the findings of the physician (expert) it is not permissible or recommended due to the health
condition of the person.
[29 May 2014]
Section 603. Examination of a Criminal Case in a Court Hearing
(1) A criminal case regarding the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature
shall be examined in a closed court hearing with the participation of a prosecutor, defence
counsel, the representative of a person, and an expert – psychiatrist, as well as the person to
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 232
whom the compulsory measure of a medical nature is determined, except the case when
according to the findings of the physician (expert) it is not permissible or recommended due to
the health condition of the person.
(2) A court investigation shall commence with the prosecutor reading the descriptive part of the
decision to send the criminal case to court for the determination of compulsory measures of a
medical nature.
(3) A court hearing shall examine evidence and hear the findings of an expert regarding the
mental condition of a person, in order to decide the matter of whether such person has
committed a criminal offence, and whether compulsory measures of a medical nature shall be
determined for such person.
(31) If a person, on the basis of the nature of a committed offence and his or her mental
condition, is not dangerous to society, in deciding the issue on transfer of the person under the
care of relatives or other persons who perform nursing of patients, the court must receive
consent of such persons.
(4) An appellate court shall summon an expert on the basis of the discretion thereof.
[29 May 2014]
Section 604. Deciding a Criminal Case in a Court
In examining a criminal case regarding the determination of compulsory measures of a
medical nature, a court shall decide the following matters:
1) whether a criminal offence has occurred;
2) whether such offence was committed by the person against whom the proceedings
are taking place;
3) whether the person committed the criminal offence while in a state of mental
incapacity or a state of full capacity, and whether such person suffers from mental disturbances
at the moment of the taking of the decision;
4) whether a person suffering from mental disturbances fell ill after committing of the
criminal offence, and whether such illness is temporary, and therefore examination of the case
should be suspended;
5) whether the person is dangerous to society;
6) what compulsory measures of a medical nature are to be determined for such person
7) whether an application for a compensation of harm is to be satisfied, for whom and
in what amount such compensation is to be collected;
8) how to handle material evidence and other things withdrawn during proceedings, and
property which has been seized;
9) from whom procedural expenses are to be collected.
[12 March 2009]
Section 605. Court Decision in a Criminal Case
(1) Upon finding that a person has committed a criminal offence while in a state of mental
incapacity, or that such person has fallen ill with mental disturbances following the committing
of a criminal offence, and therefore he or she does not have the capacity to understand his or
her actions or to control such actions, the court shall take a decision, in accordance that laid
down in The Criminal Law, regarding the releasing of such person from criminal liability or
punishment, and shall determine one of the compulsory measures of a medical nature provided
for in The Criminal Law.
(2) If a person, on the basis of the nature of a committed offence and his or her mental condition,
is not dangerous to society, the court may place him or her under the care of such immediate
family or other persons who perform nursing of patients.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 233
(3) Having found that a person has full mental capacity, a court shall, with a decision thereof,
transfer a criminal case to a prosecutor for the completion of pre-trial proceedings.
(4) Having found that the participation in a criminal offence of a person being examined has
not been proven, or having ascertained circumstances that, in general, do not allow for criminal
proceedings, a court shall take a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, and notify
regarding such decision the medical treatment institution in which such person is being treated.
(5) Having found that a person being examined has not committed a criminal offence, but such
offence was committed by another person, a court shall terminate criminal proceedings against
the person being examined, and send the criminal case to a prosecutor for the continuation of
pre-trial proceedings.
(6) In the operative part of a decision, a court shall determine actions with material evidence
and documents, compensation for harm, actions with property which has been seized, recovery
of procedural expenditures, and shall explain the procedures and time persons for the appeal of
a court decision.
(7) If a person against whom proceedings are taking place for the determination of compulsory
measures of a medical nature has not participated in a court hearing due to the nature of his or
her illness, a court shall send a copy of the court decision to such person.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 29 May 2014; 30 March 2017]
Section 606. Appeal of Court Decisions
(1) A court decision shall be subject to appeal in accordance with general procedure.
(2) If a court decision is appealed only in connection with the deciding in a case of the
compensation for harm caused, such appeal shall not suspend the execution of the decision in
the part regarding the application of a compulsory medical measure.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 607. Grounds for the Revocation or Modification of Compulsory Measures of a
Medical Nature
(1) If the person for whom compulsory measure of a medical nature has been specified has been
cured or his or her health condition has improved, or it is detected that the health condition of
such person has changed otherwise insofar that the person is no longer dangerous to the society,
the head of the medical treatment institution, in which the relevant person is being treated, shall,
on the basis of the findings of a physician – specialist or a committee of physicians, propose for
the court to decide the matter regarding the revocation of the specified compulsory measure of
a medical nature or modification thereof to a less restricting measure.
(2) If a person does not carry out the compulsory measure of a medical nature specified for him
or her, the head of the medical treatment institution, in which the relevant person is being
treated, shall, on the basis of the findings of a physician – specialist or a committee of
physicians, propose for the court to decide the matter regarding modification of the specified
compulsory measure of a medical nature to a more restricting measure.
(3) A person for whom compulsory measures of a medical nature have been specified, as well
as the lawful representative or other member of the immediate family of such person may
submit to a court a request to revoke or modify the specified compulsory measure of medical
nature. In such cases, the court shall request from the relevant medical treatment institutions
findings regarding the health condition of such person in regard to whom the request has been
submitted.
(4) A prosecutor may also submit to a court a proposal regarding the revocation or modification
of a compulsory measure of a medical nature specified by the court, by attaching to the proposal
the conclusion of the relevant medical treatment institution and other documents that are
necessary for the deciding of the matter.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 234
(5) Having received a proposal of the head of the medical treatment institution regarding
modification of the specified compulsory measure of a medical nature to a more restricting
measure, the court may determine a court psychiatric expert-examination for the person.
(6) The court of first instance that controls the execution of the decision shall, upon its initiative,
examine the matter regarding the revocation or modification of such decision, if, within one
year after determination of the compulsory measure of a medical nature or the last examination
of the matter regarding revocation or modification thereof, a request or proposal to revoke or
modify the specified compulsory measure of a medical nature has not been submitted.
[29 May 2014]
Section 608. Procedures for the Revocation or Modification of Compulsory Measures of
a Medical Nature
(1) A matter regarding the revocation or modification of compulsory measures of a medical
nature shall be decided by the court of first instance, which controls the execution of the
decision, within 14 days from the day of receipt of the findings of a physician – specialist or a
commission of physicians, or a court psychiatry expert.
(2) A prosecutor, defence counsel, and the representative of the person, as well as person
himself or herself for whom a compulsory measure of a medical nature has been determined
shall participate in a court hearing, unless according to the findings of a physician (expert) it
should not be permitted or is not recommended due to the health condition of the person. A
representative of the relevant medical treatment institution and a person who has proposed
examination of the issue shall also be invited to a court hearing.
(3) If a court has doubts regarding the findings of a physician – specialist or a commission of
physicians, such court may determine a court psychiatric expert-examination, additionally
request documents of a medical nature or other documents, as well as perform other operations.
(4) After examination of the circumstances, the court shall hear the conclusion of the prosecutor,
the views of the defence counsel and representative, as well as of person who have been
imposed compulsory measure of a medical nature, except cases when on the basis of the
findings of a physician (expert) the person does not participate in the court hearing.
(5) A court shall take a decision to revoke or modify compulsory measures of a medical nature,
or regarding a refusal to revoke or modify such measures. The decision shall be subject to
appeal only in accordance with cassation procedures.
(6) The repeated proposal of a matter in court shall be allowed not earlier than three months
from the day when the court rejected a request regarding the revocation or modification of
compulsory measures of a medical nature.
[21 October 2010; 29 May 2014; 30 March 2017]
Section 609. Consequences of the Renewal of Criminal Proceedings
(1) If a person who had fallen ill with mental disturbances following the committing of a
criminal offence is found to be healthy, a court shall, in accordance with the procedures laid
down in Section 608 of this Law, take a decision to revoke compulsory measures of a medical
nature and send the case to the prosecutor for the completion of pre-trial proceedings.
(2) The time spent in a medical treatment institution shall be conformed to the time spent under
arrest.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 235
Chapter 56 Criminal Proceedings in Cases Regarding the Exoneration of a Deceased
Person
Section 610. Reasons for the Continuation of Criminal Proceedings for the Exoneration
of a Deceased Person
(1) If the person directing the proceedings has, with a decision thereof, terminated criminal
proceedings in due to the death of a person, or has terminated criminal proceedings on the basis
of a reason other than exoneration by essentially finding a person guilty in the committing of a
criminal offence, and such person has died after such guilty finding, the lawful representative
and the immediate family of such person, as well as other persons who have facts at their
disposal that testify regarding the innocence of the deceased person, may submit an application,
within one year after taking of such decision, regarding the continuation of criminal proceedings
for the exoneration of the deceased person.
(2) An application regarding the continuation of criminal proceedings for the exoneration of a
deceased person may also be submitted in the case where a suspect or accused has died, but the
person directing the proceedings has not yet terminated criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009]
Section 611. Decision to Continue Criminal Proceedings for the Exoneration of a Deceased
Person
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall examine the application of a person regarding
the continuation of criminal proceedings for the exoneration of a deceased person in which
information is provided regarding facts that testify regarding the innocence of such person in
the committing of a criminal offence, examine such information in connection with the
information already in the materials of the criminal case, and take one of the following decisions
within 10 days after receipt of the application:
1) to revoke the decision to terminate criminal proceedings and continue criminal
proceedings for the exoneration of the deceased person;
2) reject the application.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall immediately send a copy of a decision to the
submitter of an application, who, in the case of the rejection of the application, may appeal such
decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 24 of this Law.
Section 612. Special Features of the Continuation of Pre-trial Criminal Proceedings
(1) After a decision has been taken on continuation of criminal proceedings for the exoneration
of a deceased person, pre-trial proceedings shall take place in accordance with the general
procedures laid down in this Law, as well as with the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall take a decision on involvement in proceedings
of a person who submitted an application for the continuation of criminal proceedings for the
exoneration of a deceased person, and shall inform such person regarding the rights thereof.
(3) The person directing the proceedings shall perform the necessary procedural actions in pre-
trial proceedings in order to examine the information provided in an application.
Section 613. Completion of Pre-trial Proceedings for the Exoneration of a Deceased
Person
(1) An investigator, with the consent of a supervising prosecutor, or a prosecutor may, with a
decision to terminate criminal proceedings, complete pre-trial proceedings for the exoneration
of a deceased person:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 236
1) on the basis of a reason other than exoneration;
2) with a justification that exonerates the deceased person, simultaneously deciding the
matter regarding the renewal of the previously restricted rights of such person, if possible;
3) with an exonerating justification in the part regarding the deceased person,
simultaneously deciding the matter regarding the renewal of the previously restricted rights of
such person, if possible, but transferring the materials of the criminal case for investigation in
order to ascertain the guilty person.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall immediately send a copy of a taken decision to
the submitter of an application, informing him or her regarding his or her rights to familiarise
himself or herself with the materials of the case and to appeal, within 10 days, the decision in
court.
Section 614. Court Proceedings for the Exoneration of a Deceased Person
(1) Having received a complaint from a submitter of an application regarding the termination
of pre-trial proceedings, a judge shall:
1) request the materials of the criminal case from the person directing the pre-trial
proceedings;
2) determine the time and place of a court hearing;
3) summon the necessary person to the court hearing.
(2) A criminal case for exoneration of a deceased person shall be examined in a court hearing
with the participation of a prosecutor, the submitter of the application, and the defence counsel,
if such defence counsel exists.
(3) A court hearing shall hear the complaint of the submitter of an application or a defence
counsel, the report of a prosecutor regarding the essence of the case, and examine submitted
evidence.
Section 615. Deciding of a Criminal Case
(1) In examining a criminal case regarding exoneration of a deceased person, a court shall
decide whether a criminal offence has taken place and whether the person regarding whom the
proceedings are taking place committed such offence.
(2) Having recognised that the participation of a deceased person in a criminal offence has not
been proven, or having ascertained circumstances that do not, in general, allow for criminal
proceedings, a court shall take a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, exonerating the
relevant person.
(3) Having recognised that a criminal offence has taken place and that the person regarding
whom proceedings are taking place committed such offence, a court shall take a decision to
terminate criminal proceedings without exonerating the relevant person.
(4) Having recognised that a deceased person has not committed a criminal offence, but such
offence was committed by another person, a court shall terminate criminal proceedings against
the deceased person and send the criminal case to the Office of the Prosecutor for the
continuation of the criminal proceedings.
Section 616. Procedures for the Appeal of a Court Decision
(1) A court decision shall be subject to appeal in accordance with general procedure.
(2) A person who has requested the continuation of proceedings has the same rights to appeal
a decision of a court of first instance and an appellate court as an accused.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 237
Chapter 57 Special Features of Court Proceedings in Examining Complaints Regarding
the Justification for the Termination of Criminal Proceedings
Section 617. Grounds for the Submission of a Complaint
A person against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated, may submit a
complaint regarding a decision of an investigator or prosecutor to terminate criminal
proceedings, if such proceedings have been terminated in connection with the following:
1) limitation period of criminal liability, but the person does not admit his or her guilt
in the offence;
2) statement of amnesty, but the person does not admit his or her guilt in the offence;
3) the conditions that exclude criminal liability, but the relevant person disputes the
factual circumstances.
[12 March 2009]
Section 618. Procedures and Terms for the Submission of a Complaint
(1) [12 March 2009]
(2) A decision may be appealed within one month of the day of the receipt of a copy of the
decision.
(3) A complaint shall be submitted to the person directing the proceedings, who shall submit
such complaint, together with materials, to the court that has jurisdiction over examination of
the relevant criminal offence.
(4) If a decision to terminate criminal proceedings has been taken in relation to one person, but
the same criminal proceedings are continued against the other persons, a complaint regarding
the taken decision shall be attached to the criminal case, and such complaint shall be examined
by a court simultaneously with the trial of the criminal case. The person directing the
proceedings shall inform the submitter of the complaint regarding such actions.
[12 March 2009]
Section 619. Procedures for Examination of a Complaint
(1) A judge shall examine a complaint regarding the justification for the termination of criminal
proceedings in a court hearing within one month after receipt thereof. A person against whom
the criminal proceedings have been terminated, representative or defence counsel thereof and
receiver of the appealed decision shall be invited to a court hearing.
(2) If the submitter of a complaint does not arrive at a court hearing without a justifiable reason,
examination of his or her submitted complaint shall be terminated.
(3) A judge shall hear in a court hearing the submitter of a complaint, the accepter of the
appealed decision, and other persons summoned to the court, examine evidence obtained in
criminal proceedings and related to examination of the complaint, and take a decision.
[12 March 2009]
Section 620. Deciding of a Complaint in Court
(1) A complaint shall be satisfied or recused. In satisfying the complaint, a judge shall repeal
the decision of the person directing the proceedings and take a new decision instead of it,
terminating the criminal proceedings on the basis of exoneration.
(2) A decision of a court may be appealed within 10 days only for non-observance of the
procedural requirements specified in this Chapter. A complaint shall be examined by a judge
of a higher-level court in a written procedure, and the decision of the judge shall not be subject
to appeal.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 238
[12 March 2009]
Chapter 58 Criminal Proceedings in Private Prosecution Cases
[21 October 2010]
Section 621. Initiation of Criminal Proceedings in Private Prosecution Cases
[21 October 2010]
Section 622. Actions of a Court after Initiation of Criminal Proceedings
[21 October 2010]
Section 623. Preparation of a Private Prosecution Case for Trial
[21 October 2010]
Section 624. Procedures for the Trial of a Private Prosecution Case
[21 October 2010]
Section 625. Termination of Criminal Proceedings in a Private Prosecution Case at a
Court Hearing
[21 October 2010]
Chapter 59 Proceedings Regarding Criminally Acquired Property
Section 626. Reasons for Initiating Proceedings regarding Criminally Acquired Property
(1) An investigator with the consent of the supervising prosecutor or a prosecutor has the right,
in the interests of solving the financial matters which have come about in pre-trial criminal
proceedings, in timely manner and in the interests of the economy of proceedings, to separate
the materials from a criminal case regarding criminally acquired property and to initiate
proceedings if the following conditions exist:
1) the totality of evidence provides grounds to believe that the property that has been
withdrawn or seized is criminally acquired or related to a criminal offence;
2) due to objective reasons, the transferral of the criminal case to court is not possible
in the near future (in a reasonable term), or such transferral may cause substantial unjustified
expenses.
(2) With a permission from the supervising prosecutor, the investigator, upon terminating
criminal proceedings for reasons other than exoneration of a person, has the right to separate
from a criminal case materials on criminally acquired property and initiate proceedings.
(3) A prosecutor has the right, upon terminating criminal proceedings for reasons other than
exoneration of a person, to separate the materials from a criminal case regarding recognition of
property as criminally acquired for which the rights have been registered in the public register
and the entry in this register has been amended after committing of the criminal offence, and to
initiate proceedings.
[22 June 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 627. Procedures for the Initiation of Proceedings Regarding Criminally Acquired
Property
(1) If the conditions referred to in Section 626 of this Law exist, the person directing the
proceedings shall take a decision to initiate proceedings regarding criminally acquired property
and transfer the materials regarding the criminally acquired property to a court.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall indicate the following in a decision:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 239
1) information regarding facts justifying the relation of the property to a criminal offence
or the criminal origin of the property, as well as regarding the materials that have been separated
from the criminal case regarding a criminal offence currently in investigation into the case
regarding criminally acquired property;
2) the persons that are related to the specific property;
3) the actions with the criminally acquired property that he or she proposes;
4) the victim, if any.
(3) A decision and the materials attached to such decision shall be sent to a district (city) court.
(4) The case materials in proceedings regarding criminally acquired property shall be an
investigative secret, and the person directing the proceedings, a prosecutor and a court
examining the case may get acquainted with the case. The persons referred to in Section 628 of
this Law may become acquainted with the case materials with the permission of the person
directing the proceedings and in the amount specified thereby.
(5) The decision of the person directing the proceedings on rejecting a request to become
acquainted with the case materials may be appealed to the district (city) court which examines
proceedings regarding criminally acquired property. The court shall take the decision to fully
or partially satisfy the complaint, or to dismiss it. A decision shall not be subject to appeal. For
the court to decide whether becoming acquainted with the case materials endangers the
fundamental rights of other persons, the public interests or interferes with the achievement of
the objective of criminal proceedings, the court may request the materials of the criminal case
and become acquainted with them.
[8 July 2011; 22 June 2017; 20 June 2018]
Section 628. Informing of Persons Related to Property
The person directing the proceedings shall immediately send a copy of the decision
referred to in Section 627 of this Law to a suspect or accused and the person by whom property
has been withdrawn or seized, if such persons exist in the relevant criminal proceedings, or to
another person who has the right to specific property, simultaneously indicating the right to:
1) participate in proceedings regarding criminally acquired property personally or
through the intermediation of a defence counsel or representative;
2) express his or her attitude in court, orally or in writing, toward the taken decision;
3) submit applications to the court.
Section 629. Court Proceedings Regarding Criminally Acquired Property
(1) Having received a decision to initiate proceedings regarding criminally acquired property,
a judge shall:
1) determine the time and place of the court hearing;
2) summon the person directing the proceedings and a prosecutor, if a decision has been
taken by an investigator, as well as the persons referred to in Section 628 of this Law to the
court hearing.
(2) A court hearing shall take place within 10 days after receipt of a decision of the person
directing the proceedings to a court. Non-arrival of the summoned persons shall not be an
obstacle for taking a decision on criminally acquired property, if the procedures for summoning
such persons have been complied with.
(3) The person directing the proceedings, a prosecutor, other summoned and arrived persons,
their representatives or defence counsels shall be heard in a closed court hearing.
(4) During a court hearing the persons involved in court proceedings have equal rights to submit
recusations or requests, to submit evidence, to submit written explanations to the court, as well
as to participate in examination of other matters, which have arisen during the court
proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 240
(5) [20 June 2018]
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 8 July 2011; 24 May 2012; judgment of the Constitutional
Court of 23 May 2017; 20 June 2018; 27 September 2018]
Section 630. Court Decision on Criminally Acquired Property
(1) In examining materials regarding criminally acquired property, a court shall decide:
1) whether the property is criminally acquired or related to a criminal offence;
2) whether there is information regarding the owner or lawful possessor of the property;
3) whether a person has lawful rights to the property;
4) actions with the criminally acquired property.
(2) If a court finds that the connection of property with a criminal offence has not been proven
or the property is not of criminal origin, such court shall take a decision to terminate proceedings
regarding the criminally acquired property.
(3) If a court takes a decision to terminate proceedings regarding criminally acquired property
in the criminal proceedings terminated for reasons other than exoneration of a person, it shall,
in addition to that referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, decide also upon revoking the
seizure of the property.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 22 June 2017]
Section 631. Court Decision on an Appeal in respect of Criminally Acquired Property
(1) A court decision may be appealed within 10 days in a regional court submitting a complaint
or protest to a district (city) court.
(2) A complaint or protest shall be examined by a court in the composition of three judges
within a term and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 629 of this Law, first
hearing a submitter of a complaint or protest.
(3) In examining a complaint or protest, a court may repeal a decision of a district (city) court
and take a decision referred to in Section 630 of this Law. A decision shall not be subject to
appeal.
[12 March 2009; 8 July 2011]
Division Twelve
Entering into Effect of a Ruling and Examination of Matters Related to Rulings
Chapter 60 Entering into Effect, Transferring for Execution and Procedures for
Execution of Judgments, Decisions and Penal Orders of a Prosecutor
[22 June 2017]
Section 632. Entering into Effect of a Judgment
(1) A judgment of a court of first instance shall enter into effect when the term for the appeal
thereof has terminated in accordance with appellate or cassation procedures, and the judgment
has not been appealed. An abridged judgment shall come into force after the time period for
submission of the request regarding drawing up a full judgment has terminated and such request
has not been submitted.
(2) A judgment of an appellate court shall enter into effect when the term for the appeal thereof
has terminated in accordance with cassation procedures, and the judgment has not been
appealed. If a cassation complaint or protest has been submitted, the judgment shall enter into
effect on the day when a cassation court examined the case, if such court has not revoked the
ruling or has refused to examine the legality of a ruling.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 241
(3) If a case has several accused, and if a judgment has been appealed even in relation to one of
such accused, a judgment shall not enter into effect in relation to all the accused.
(4) A court decision on a security measure and regarding the ensuring of compensation for harm
or confiscation of property included in a judgment of conviction shall enter into effect
immediately after pronouncement of the judgment.
(5) If an owner of property infringed during criminal proceedings has appealed a judgment of
a court of first instance or appellate court in the part regarding property or a protest of a
prosecutor in the part regarding the action with criminally acquired property has been
submitted, in the remaining part the judgment shall enter into effect.
[22 June 2017]
Section 633. Entering into Effect of a Court Decision
(1) A decision of a court of first instance shall enter into effect and be executed when the terms
for the appeal thereof has terminated and the decision has not been appealed.
(2) A judgment of an appellate court shall enter into effect when the term for the appeal thereof
has terminated in accordance with cassation procedures, and the judgment has not been
appealed.
(3) A court decision to terminate a case shall be immediately executed in the part that applies
to the releasing of an accused from a security measure related to deprivation of liberty.
(4) A decision of a cassation court shall enter into effect on the day of the proclamation thereof,
and shall not be subject to appeal.
(5) A decision with which a convicted person is conditionally released prior to term from the
serving of a punishment cannot be appealed and shall enter into effect without delay. The court
shall send the decision to the State Probation Service not later than on the following day.
[22 June 2017]
Section 633.1 Entering into Effect of a Prosecutor’s Penal Order
A prosecutor’s penal order and a prosecutor’s penal order regarding the application of a
coercive measure to a legal person shall enter into effect when the term for the appeal thereof
has terminated and it has not been appealed or if a complaint has been rejected.
[22 June 2017]
Section 634. Transfer for Execution of a Judgment, Decision and Prosecutor’s Penal
Order of a Prosecutor
(1) A judgment and decision shall be transferred for execution by the court that rendered the
judgment, or took the decision in the first instance, within seven days following the entering
into effect thereof or the receipt of the case from an appellate or cassation court.
(2) A prosecutor’s penal order shall be transferred for execution by the Office of the Prosecutor
that rendered it within 7 days after entering into effect of such penal order.
(3) A judgment, decision and prosecutor’s penal order shall be sent for execution together with
a cover letter. If the matter has been examined in accordance with appellate or cassation
procedures, copies of the rulings of the appellate or cassation courts, accordingly, shall also be
sent. If an application of a specially protected victim has been received containing a request to
provide information regarding release or escape of such convicted person from the place of
imprisonment who has inflicted harm to him or her, information regarding the application shall
be sent to the Latvian Prison Administration.
(4) A ruling or a prosecutor’s penal order shall be sent to:
1) the Latvian Prison Administration – if a temporary deprivation of liberty has been
adjudged by a court judgment and a person is not in prison;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 242
2) the place of detention – if a punishment of deprivation of liberty or temporary
deprivation of liberty has been applied and a person is in prison;
3) the State Probation Service – if a punishment of deprivation of liberty is applied
conditionally or if community service or probationary supervision is adjudged;
4) the institution which is competent to supervise the conformity with the relevant
limitation of rights (if any) – if limitation of rights is applied;
5) the court on the basis of jurisdiction for initiating the insolvency proceedings – if a
liquidation has been applied for a legal person;
6) the State Police – for the detention of a person and sending to the deprivation of
liberty institution thereof if community service or fine has been replaced with a temporary
deprivation of liberty or a punishment of deprivation of liberty has been applied and a person
is not in prison.
(5) A judgment of conviction of an accused, a judgment releasing from a punishment, and a
judgment regarding a suspended sentence in the part regarding the releasing of the accused from
a security measure related to deprivation of liberty shall be executed immediately after
pronouncement of the judgment.
(6) If a decision regarding the confiscation of criminally acquired property that has been taken
in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law is transferred to a sworn
bailiff for execution and if the application for compensation regarding a harm caused to a victim
has not been submitted or satisfied, the court or prosecutor shall inform a sworn bailiff regarding
the final decision taken, assigning him or her to transfer into the State budget the confiscated
resources or resources acquired as a result of execution of confiscation that are deposited in a
deposit account of a sworn bailiff.
[22 June 2017]
Section 634.1 Transfer for Execution of Rulings of Financial Nature
(1) Sworn bailiffs shall execute rulings on:
1) confiscation of property as an additional punishment;
2) coercive measures applied to a legal person – confiscation of property or recovery of
money;
3) recovery of value of object for committing a criminal offence;
4) recovery of procedural expenditures;
5) recovery of compensation regarding a harm caused to a victim;
6) execution of confiscation of a criminally acquired property, except the cases
determined in this Section;
7) recovery of value of criminally acquired property;
8) confiscation of third person property if a criminally acquired property is alienated,
destroyed, concealed or disguised and it is not possible to confiscate it.
(2) To execute rulings referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, except the case determined
in this Paragraph, a court shall send a writ of execution or a prosecutor shall send an extract of
a decision or penal order (hereinafter – the enforcement document) to a sworn bailiff for
execution on the basis of the place of residence (for a legal person – its legal address) of a
person (a convicted person) or on the basis of the location of his or her property. If a ruling on
the confiscation of a criminally acquired property has not been made in criminal proceedings,
the enforcement document regarding the recovery of compensation for harm caused to a
victim – legal person – shall be issued to the victim on the basis of his or her request.
(3) If the place of residence (for a legal person – legal address) of a person and the location of
property are located in the territory of operation of different regional courts, the enforcement
document shall be sent to a sworn bailiff for execution on the basis of the location of property.
If the property is located in the territory of operation of several regional courts, as many
enforcement documents as is the number of regional courts in the territory of operation of which
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 243
the property is located shall be prepared and sent to sworn bailiffs for execution on the basis of
the location of property.
(4) If a confiscation of criminally acquired property is applied, the enforcement document shall
be sent to a sworn bailiff for execution on the basis of the location of property. If both movable
and immovable property, intangible property or financial resources are confiscated within one
ruling, the enforcement document shall be sent to a sworn bailiff for execution on the basis of
the location of movable or immovable property.
(5) The enforcement document in a part regarding the confiscation of a criminally acquired
property shall be sent to the State Revenue Service if:
1) criminal proceedings are completed and the application for compensation regarding
a harm caused to a victim has not been submitted or satisfied within it;
2) criminal proceedings are completed and only an application for compensation
regarding a harm caused to a State as a victim has been satisfied;
3) a decision regarding the confiscation of criminally acquired property has been taken
in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law and a victim in criminal
proceedings has not requested a compensation for harm or the only requester of a compensation
for harm caused to a victim is the State.
(6) If a decision on the confiscation of criminally acquired property that has been taken in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law is transferred to a sworn
bailiff for execution and if an application for compensation regarding a harm caused to a victim
has been satisfied in the final ruling, the court shall send a writ of execution in a part regarding
the recovery of a compensation for harm caused to a victim to a sworn bailiff to whom the
decision on the confiscation of criminally acquired property has been transferred.
(7) A writ of execution shall be written out by a regional (city) court which has made ruling in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 59 of this Law or by a court of first
instance. The writ of execution shall be sent for execution together with an extract of a decision
or protocol on the seizure of a property, if such protocol has been drawn up. The following shall
be indicated in a writ of execution:
1) the name of the court which has issued the writ of execution;
2) the case in which the writ of execution has been issued;
3) the time when the ruling was rendered;
4) the operative part of the ruling;
5) the time when the ruling enters into effect, or an indication that the ruling shall be
enforced without a delay;
6) in which part a ruling shall be executed;
7) the name, surname, personal identity number and the place of residence of a person
against whom recovery is directed or whose property is to be confiscated, but for a legal person
– its name, registration number and legal address;
8) the name, surname, personal identity number and the place of residence, as well as
the account number and details of a credit institution (financial institution) of a victim whose
compensation for harm is satisfied, but for a legal person – its name, registration number and
legal address, as well as the account number and details of a credit institution (financial
institution) indicated by it;
9) information regarding a victim’s application for compensation of harm in criminal
proceedings that are not completed;
10) information regarding transferring of a ruling to several sworn bailiffs for execution
concurrently;
11) time of issuing the writ of execution.
(8) If several rulings referred to in Paragraph one of this Section are included in one judgment,
a court shall write out a separate writ of execution for execution of each ruling.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 244
(9) An extract of a prosecutor’s decision or penal order shall be sent for execution together with
a cover letter and an extract of a decision or protocol on the seizure of a property, if such
protocol has been drawn up. The following shall be indicated in a cover letter:
1) the name, surname, personal identity number and the place of residence of a person
against whom recovery is directed or whose property is to be confiscated, but for a legal person
– its name, registration number and legal address;
2) information regarding transferring of a ruling to several sworn bailiffs for execution
concurrently;
3) time when the decision or penal order of a prosecutor shall enter into effect.
(10) By sending a writ of execution regarding the recovery of compensation for harm for the
benefit of the victim to a sworn court bailiff for execution in the cases determined in this
Section, the court shall inform the victim thereof.
(11) Ruling on the confiscation of property as an additional punishment or as a coercive
measure, as well as ruling on the compensation for harm to be recovered for the benefit of the
victim or on the recovery of value of object for committing a criminal offence shall be executed
in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law.
(12) Ruling on the confiscation of criminally acquired property shall be executed in accordance
with the procedures laid down in the Law on Execution of Confiscation of Criminally Acquired
Property or laws and regulations governing actions with the property under the State
jurisdiction. Ruling on the recovery of value of criminally acquired property or on the
confiscation of the property of third person, if the criminally acquired property is alienated,
destroyed, concealed or disguised and it is not possible to confiscate it, shall be executed in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law.
(13) If this Law provides for a time period for voluntary execution of the ruling, it shall be sent
for execution after the term for voluntary execution has expired.
[22 June 2017 / Paragraph two shall come into force on 1 January 2019. See Paragraph 64 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 634.2 Search for the Convicted Person
(1) If a convicted person is hiding and the whereabouts thereof are unknown or if the convicted
person does not arrive to serve temporary deprivation of liberty, a judge of the court which
controls the complete execution of a judgment or decision, or a court which decides regarding
replacement of punishment with deprivation of liberty shall take a decision on a search for the
convicted person. A decision on search for the convicted person shall be taken in writing. Such
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(2) The decision on a search for an accused shall be transferred for execution to persons
performing investigative field work in accordance with the competence thereof.
[22 June 2017]
Section 635. Procedures for the Execution of a Decision to Determine Compulsory
Measures of a Medical Nature
(1) A court decision to determine compulsory measures of a medical nature shall be sent for
execution to the medical treatment institution together with a copy of the findings of the expert-
examination. The decision to determine compulsory measures of a medical nature shall be
executed immediately after entering into effect thereof.
(2) If six months have passed since the day when a decision to determine the compulsory
measures of a medical nature provided for in Section 68, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of The
Criminal Law has entered into effect, and the execution of the decision has not yet been
commenced in such term, treatment of the respective person shall be deferred without the
consent thereof until receipt of the findings of the physician – specialist.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 245
(3) If six months have passed since the day when a decision to determine the compulsory
measures of a medical nature provided for in Section 68, Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and 3 of The
Criminal Law has entered into effect, and the execution of the decision has not yet been
commenced in such term, the respective person may be placed in a hospital, but treatment
without the consent thereof shall be deferred until receipt of the findings of the physician –
specialist.
(4) The treatment of a person may be commenced if a physician – specialist or a commission
of physicians provides findings that the person has not been cured, the health condition thereof
has not substantially changed, and the determination of compulsory treatment is necessary.
(5) If a physician – specialist or a commission of physicians finds that the person has been cured
or that his or her health condition has changed to such an extent that compulsory treatment is
not necessary, or, in the case referred to in Paragraph three of this Section, compulsory
outpatient treatment may be performed, the matter regarding revocation or modification of a
specified compulsory measure of a medical nature shall be examined in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 607 of this Law.
[22 June 2017]
Section 636. Procedures for Execution of a Prosecutor’s Penal Order
(1) The prosecutor may postpone the payment for the recovery of fine or money or divide it in
instalments in accordance with that specified in The Criminal Law, if the person who has been
applied the fine or coercive measure by a prosecutor’s penal order is unable to pay it within
30 days and has submitted a reasoned request for postponing the payment for the recovery of
fine or money or division thereof in instalments.
(2) If a fine or recovery of money is not paid within 30 days after entering into effect of a
prosecutor’s penal order or if payment for the recovery of fine or money has not been made in
the term which had been specified by dividing or suspending the payment of the fine or recovery
of money, a prosecutor shall initiate to the district (city) court, in the territory of operation of
which the Office of the Prosecutor is located, to decide the matter regarding substitution of a
fine in accordance with that specified in The Criminal Law, and shall send the unpaid recovery
of money for compulsory execution.
[22 June 2017]
Section 637. Notification to the Immediate Family of a Convicted Person of the Place of
the Serving of the Punishment
After a judgment has entered into effect with which deprivation of liberty has been
imposed on a convicted person, the administration of the prison shall ensure the possibility to
immediately inform the immediate family thereof or other persons on the basis of the choice of
the convicted person of the place of the serving of the punishment.
[22 June 2017]
Section 638. Deferral of Enforcement of a Court Ruling
(1) If deprivation of liberty has been imposed, a judge of the court in which the case is examined
in the first instance may, upon a submission of an accused, defer the execution of the judgment
in the following cases:
1) if the convicted person has fallen ill with a serious illness that hinders the serving of
the punishment – until he or she has recovered;
2) if the convicted person is pregnant at the moment of the execution of a judgment –
for a term not longer than one year;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 246
3) if the convicted person has a juvenile children – for a term until the child reaches
three years of age;
4) if the immediate serving of a punishment may cause particularly serious
consequences for the convicted person or his or her family in connection with a fire or other
natural disaster, or the serious illness or death of the only member of the family with the ability
to work, and other exceptional cases – for the term specified by the court, but not longer than
three months.
(2) If deprivation of liberty has been applied, the execution of a judgment may not be deferred
for persons who have been convicted for a serious or especially serious crime.
(3) The payment for the fine or recovery of money may be postponed or divided in instalments
payable over a time period up to one year, if the person who has been applied the fine or
coercive measure is unable to pay it within 30 days and has submitted a reasoned request for
postponing the payment for the fine or division thereof in instalments.
(4) The payment of the compensation disbursed by the State may be deferred, or divided into
periods, for a period of up to one year, if the convicted person cannot pay it within 30 days and
he or she has submitted a reasoned request for deferring the payment of the compensation
disbursed by the State or division thereof into periods.
[22 June 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 639. Control of Enforcement of a Ruling and Prosecutor’s Penal Order
(1) Complete execution of a ruling shall be controlled by the court of first instance. Institution
that executes a ruling shall immediately notify the court of the execution of the ruling.
(2) Enforcement of a prosecutor’s penal order shall be controlled by the office of the prosecutor.
The institution that executed the punishment or coercive measure determined in the prosecutor’s
penal order shall immediately inform the Office of the Prosecutor that issued the penal order
regarding the execution thereof.
(3) If the execution of ruling in part regarding the compensation for harm to be recovered for
the benefit of the victim is not possible, the sworn bailiff shall notify the court and victim
thereof.
[22 June 2017]
Chapter 61 Examination of Matters that have Arisen during the Execution of
Judgments and Decisions
Section 640. Release from Serving of Sentence Due to Illness
(1) If a convicted person has fallen ill with a mental disturbances during the serving of a
punishment of deprivation of liberty, and therefore he or she may not be located in a prison and
medical treatment is necessary for him or her, a judge may, on the basis of the findings of an
expert-examination, release the convicted person from the serving of the punishment,
determining treatment for such person.
(2) If the person referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is not dangerous to society on the
basis of the nature of a committed offence and his or her mental condition, a court may place
him or her under the care of member of the immediate family or other persons who will nurse
the patient, and under the supervision of a medical treatment institution on the basis of his or
her place of residence.
(3) If, during the period of serving a punishment, a convicted person whose determined
punishment is not related to deprivation of liberty falls ill with mental disturbances, a judge
may take a decision on his or her release from further serving of the punishment.
(4) If a convicted person falls ill with a serious illness that is not mental disturbances, a judge
may take a decision on his or her release from further serving of the punishment, taking into
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 247
account the nature of the committed criminal offence, the character of the convicted person,
and other circumstances.
(5) In releasing a convicted person from the further serving of a punishment in connection with
an illness, a court may release him or her not only from the basic punishment, but also from an
additional punishment, indicating such release in a decision.
[12 March 2009]
Section 641. Revocation of a Suspended Sentence or Extending of a Probationary
Supervision Period
The judge of a district (city) court according to the place of residence of a convicted
person, on the basis of a submission of the State Probation Service, in the cases specified in The
Criminal Law may take a decision to execute the punishment determined in the judgment for a
person who has been convicted conditionally, or to extend the term of probation up to one year.
The submission shall be examined in a court hearing, without requesting the criminal case file.
[16 October 2014]
Section 642. Reduction of Punishment in Exceptional Cases
If a convicted person has assisted in the disclosure of a crime that is the same
seriousness, more serious or more dangerous than the criminal offence committed by him or
her, a judge of the court whose judgment convicted such persons may, on the basis of a
submission of the Prosecutor General, reduce the punishment of such convicted person in
accordance with the provisions of Section 60 of The Criminal Law. A submission shall be
examined in a closed court hearing.
[12 March 2009]
Section 643. Conditional Release Prior to Completion of Punishment
(1) In accordance with Section 61 or Section 65, Paragraph three or Paragraph 3.1 of The
Criminal Law, a convicted person shall be conditionally released prior to the completion of a
punishment of deprivation of liberty by a judge of the district (city) court according to the place
of the serving of the punishment, if a submission of the deprivation of liberty institution has
been received.
(2) A submission shall be examined in a court hearing, without requesting the criminal case
file.
(3) If a judge rejects a submission, it may be resubmitted after four months. If the request
indicated in the application is satisfied, a judge shall additionally indicate information regarding
the sentence execution institution and arrival deadline in the ruling.
(4) If a person who has been conditionally released prior to completion of punishment, without
justifiable reason does not fulfil the obligations laid down in the law governing the execution
of criminal punishments or stipulated by the State Probation Service, the judge of the district
(city) court according to the place of residence of the convicted person, on the basis of a
submission by the State Probation Service, may take a decision to execute the part of unserved
punishment.
(5) If a person who has been conditionally released prior to completion of punishment and who
has been applied electronic monitoring, without justifiable reason does not fulfil the obligations
related to electronic monitoring laid down in the law governing the execution of criminal
punishments, revokes his or her consent to electronic monitoring or implementation of
electronic monitoring is not possible anymore in the conditions in which he or she lives, the
judge of the district (city) court according to the place of residence of the convicted person, on
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 248
the basis of a submission by the State Probation Service may take a decision to execute the part
of unserved punishment.
(6) If a person who has been conditionally released prior to completion of punishment and who
has been applied electronic monitoring, has, in exemplary manner, fulfilled the obligations
provided for in the law governing the execution of criminal punishments or stipulated by the
State Probation Service and the term laid down in Section 61, Paragraph three of this Law has
set in, according to which conditional release prior to completion of punishment is possible
without determination of electronic monitoring, the judge of the district (city) court according
to the place of residence of the convicted person, on the basis of a submission by the State
Probation Service may take a decision to revoke electronic monitoring.
[16 October 2014; 27 September 2018]
Section 644. Substitution or Revocation of Police Supervision
(1) If a person to whom police supervision has been applied violates the provisions thereof in
bad faith, the judge of the district (city) court based on the place of residence of the convicted
person may, on the basis of a submission of a police institution and in the cases specified in The
Criminal Law, substitute the term of the punishment not served with deprivation of liberty.
(2) In accordance with that specified in The Criminal Law, a judge of the district (city) court
based on the place of residence of the convicted person may reduce the term of police
supervision or revoke such supervision, if a justified submission of a police institution has been
received.
(3) [12 March 2009]
[12 March 2009; 16 June 2009; 16 October 2014; 27 September 2018]
Section 644.1 Substitution or Revocation of Probationary Supervision
(1) If a convicted person upon whom an additional punishment – probationary supervision –
has been applied violates the provisions of probationary supervision during probationary
supervision without justifiable reason, a judge of a district (city) court may, on the basis of a
submission of the State Probation Service according to the place of residence of the convicted
person, substitute the additional unserved punishment term with deprivation of liberty in
accordance with The Criminal Law.
(2) If a submission of the State Probation Service has been received, a judge of a district (city)
court according to the place of residence of the convicted person, may reduce the probationary
supervision period or revoke probationary supervision.
[8 July 2011 / The Section shall come into force on 1 October 2011. See Paragraph 32 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 645. Issues Related to Execution of a Fine and Money Recovery
(1) If a fine or recovery of money is not paid within 30 days after entering into effect of a ruling
or if payment for the fine or recovery of money has not been made in the term which had been
specified by dividing or suspending the payment of the fine or recovery of money, a judge shall
determine a court hearing and a fine shall be substituted with the punishment specified in
accordance with The Criminal Law, or, if the recovery of money is applied to a legal person –
the court shall send the ruling on a coercive measure for compulsory execution.
(2) If a fine is paid while a convicted person serves a punishment of deprivation of liberty in
place thereof, he or she shall be released immediately.
(3) If, during the term when a convicted person serves a punishment of deprivation of liberty,
in place of a fine, part of the fine is paid, a judge shall reduce the duration of the deprivation of
liberty in accordance with the paid part of the fine.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 249
(4) [16 June 2009]
[29 June 2008; 16 June 2009; 20 December 2012; 22 June 2017]
Section 646. Substitution of Community Service with Temporary Deprivation of Liberty
If the person who has been convicted with community service evades the serving of the
punishment in bad faith, a court shall substitute such punishment with temporary deprivation
of liberty in accordance with the provisions of Section 40, Paragraph three of The Criminal
Law.
[20 December 2012]
Section 647. Execution of a Punishment after Application of Compulsory Measures of a
Correctional Nature
(1) If a minor who has been released from an imposed punishment and to whom a compulsory
measure of a correctional nature has been applied does not fulfil the duties imposed by a court,
the punishment imposed on such minor shall be executed.
(2) A matter regarding the execution of a punishment shall be decided by the district (city) court
judge according to the place of residence of the minor.
[12 March 2009]
Section 648. Inclusion of Time Spent in a Medical Treatment Institution in the Term of a
Punishment
If a convicted person who is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty is placed in
a medical treatment institution, the time spent in such institution shall be included in the term
of the punishment.
[20 December 2012]
Section 649. Execution of a Judgment or Penal Order of the Prosecutor, if Several
Judgments or Penal Orders of the Prosecutor Exist
(1) If several judgments or penal orders of the prosecutor exist in relation to a convicted person,
a judge of the court that rendered the last judgment in the first instance, or a judge of a court of
the same level according to the place of the execution of the judgment, or a judge of a district
(city) court according to the place of the execution of the penal order of the prosecutor, shall,
on the basis of a submission of the institution or prosecutor that executed the judgment, take a
decision in accordance with that laid down in The Criminal Law in the written procedure, to
determine a final punishment on the basis of the totality of such judgments or penal orders of
the prosecutor.
(2) Having received the submission referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the judge shall
inform the convicted person and the prosecutor regarding the right to apply an objection to the
judge within 10 days from the day of receipt of a notification, to submit an opinion regarding
the penalty to be determined, and also the day of availability of the decision.
(3) A decision may be appealed within 10 days. Submitting of a complaint shall not suspend
the execution of the decision. A judge of higher-level court shall examine a complaint in a
written procedure according to the materials present in the case, and a decision thereof shall not
be subject to appeal.
[8 July 2011; 30 March 2017; 27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 250
Section 649.1 Execution of a Ruling on the Determination of Compulsory Measures of a
Medical Nature in Case of Several Rulings
(1) If there are several rulings on the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature
in relation to a person, the court, which rendered the last ruling in the first instance, shall take
a decision to determine the final compulsory measure of a medical nature in accordance with
the laid down in The Criminal Law.
(2) Issues, which are related to execution and control of the compulsory measures of a medical
nature specified in the ruling, as well as uncertainties arising upon executing a court decision,
shall be decided by the judge of such court of first instance, which made the ruling on
determination of the final compulsory measure of a medical nature, upon a submission of the
executive institution or prosecutor.
[22 June 2017]
Section 650. Courts that Decide Matters Related to the Execution of a Judgment and
Decision
(1) Matters that are related to the execution of a punishment determined in a judgment, as well
as doubts and uncertainties that arise in the execution of a court ruling, shall be decided, on the
basis of a submission of the executive institution or prosecutor, by a judge of the court of first
instance that has made the ruling, except the cases referred to in Sections 638, 642, and 647 of
this Law.
(2) If a ruling is being executed outside of the region of operation of the court that has made the
ruling, the matters referred to in Paragraph one of this Law shall be decided, by a judge of a
court of the same level in the region of operation of which the convicted person is serving the
punishment.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 651. Procedures for the Deciding of Matters Related to the Execution of a
Judgment and a Decision
(1) Matters related to the execution of a judgment shall, as soon as possible, be decided by a
judge in a court session, with the participation of a public prosecutor and the convicted person,
for whom the rights provided for in Section 74.2 of this Law shall be ensured, as well as the
representative of such institution, which is responsible for execution of the judgment. In the
case of the unjustified non-attendance of the convicted person a decision may be taken without
his or her presence.
(2) If a judge examines a matter regarding the releasing of a convicted person from the serving
of a punishment due to illness or disability, as well as a matter regarding the placing of a
released person under the trusteeship of medical treatment institutions, a representative of the
commission of physicians that provided the findings must participate in the court hearing.
(3) If a judge examines matters related to the execution of a punishment, a representative of the
institution that supervises the execution of the punishment, or controls the behaviour of a person
who has been convicted conditionally, shall be summoned to the court hearing. In deciding a
matter regarding suspending of the execution of the judgment, only a convicted person shall be
summoned.
(4) If persons who have sent a submission or expressed a request do not arrive to a court hearing,
without a justifiable reason, examination of the case shall be deferred.
(5) A judge shall open a court hearing and notify what case is being examined, and then examine
whether the summoned persons have arrived for the court hearing, and decide the matter
regarding recusal of a judge, prosecutor and regarding the possibility to examine a case in the
absence of persons summoned to the court hearing.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 251
(6) Examination of a case shall commence with the reading of a submission or request, which
shall be performed by the submitter. After such reading, the court shall hear the views of the
prosecutor and other persons. The convicted person and his or her defence counsel shall speak
last. Then the judge shall take a decision in the deliberation room.
(7) All decisions that have been taken in the matters in accordance with the procedures laid
down in this Section, except in the case provided for in Section 633, Paragraph five of this Law,
may be appealed within 10 days. The decisions provided for in Section 643 of this Law may be
appealed only for non-observance of the procedural requirements specified in this Section. The
submission of a complaint shall not suspend the execution of the decision. A judge of higher-
level court shall examine a complaint in the written procedure according to the materials present
in the case, and a decision thereof shall not be subject to appeal.
(8) Having received withdrawal of a submission or expressed request, a judge shall decide on
termination of the case. If the case is terminated, it shall be notified to the submitter of the
submission or request. If the submission is withdrawn in writing, a decision may be taken in a
manner of resolution. A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 8 July 2011; 29 May 2014; 16 October 2014;
30 March 2017]
Section 652. Procedures for the Deciding of Matters Related to the Execution of a
Punishment Determined in the Penal Order of a Prosecutor
(1) Matters that are related to the execution of a punishment determined in the penal order of a
prosecutor, as well as uncertainties that arise in executing such punishment, shall be decided,
in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Chapter, by a higher-ranking prosecutor,
but regarding the issue of replacement of punishment, reduction of the probationary supervision
period or revocation of probationary supervision, or release from serving a punishment in cases
provided for in the law – by the judge of a district (city) court according to the place of residence
of the convicted person.
(2) A decision of a higher-ranking prosecutor shall not be subject to appeal.
[19 January 2006; 12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 8 July 2011; 29 May 2014;
18 February 2016]
Section 653. Procedures for the Removal of a Conviction
(1) Matters regarding the removal of a conviction shall be examined by a judge of the district
(city) court according to the place of residence of the person who has served a punishment, if a
request of such person, or the defence counsel or lawful representative thereof, has been
received.
(2) A court shall notify a prosecutor regarding a received request. The non-arrival of the
prosecutor to the court hearing shall not be an impediment to examination of the matter
regarding removal of conviction.
(3) Participation in a court hearing of the person in relation to whom a request regarding
removal of conviction is being examined is mandatory. Such person has the right to defence.
(4) Examination of a matter regarding removal of conviction shall commence with the reading
of a request. Following such reading, a judge shall hear the views of summoned persons and
take a decision in the deliberation room.
(5) If a request regarding the removal of a conviction has been rejected, such request may be
resubmitted not earlier than six months after the day when the decision was taken on rejection
of such request.
(6) A court decision in a matter on removal of a conviction may be appealed on regarding the
non-observance of the procedural requirements specified in this Section.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 252
Section 654. Appeal of Decisions of Administrative Commissions of Prisons
[16 October 2014]
Division Thirteen
Examination De novo of Valid Rulings
Chapter 62 Renewal of Criminal Proceedings in connection with Newly Disclosed
Circumstances
Section 655. Grounds for the Renewal of Criminal Proceedings in connection with Newly
Disclosed Circumstances
(1) Criminal proceedings wherein a valid court judgment or decision, or prosecutor’s penal
order, exists may be renewed in connection with newly disclosed circumstances.
(2) The following circumstances shall be recognised as newly disclosed:
1) false testimony knowingly provided by a victim or witness, false findings or a
translation knowingly provided by an expert, forged material evidence, forged decisions, or
forged minutes of an investigation or court operations, as well as other forged evidence that has
been the grounds for the making of an unlawful ruling has been recognised by a valid court
judgment or prosecutor’s penal order;
2) criminal maliciousness by a judge, prosecutor, or investigator that has been the
grounds for the making of an unlawful ruling has been recognised by a valid court judgment or
prosecutor’s penal order;
3) other circumstances that were not known to a court or prosecutor in making a ruling,
and which, on their own or together with previously established circumstances, indicate that a
person is not guilty or has committed a lesser or more serious criminal offence than the offence
for which he or she has been convicted or he or she has been applied a prosecutor’s penal order,
or which testify regarding the guilt of an acquitted person or a person in relation to whom
criminal proceedings have been terminated;
4) findings of the Constitutional Court regarding the non-conformity of legal norms, or
an interpretation thereof, to the Constitution, on the basis of which a ruling has entered into
effect;
5) the findings of an international judicial authority regarding the fact that a ruling of
Latvia that has entered into effect does not comply with the international laws and regulations
binding to Latvia.
(3) If the rendering of a judgment is not possible due to the fact that a limitation period has
entered into effect, an act of amnesty has been issued, individual persons have been granted
clemency, or an accused has died, the existence of the newly disclosed circumstances referred
to in Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section shall be determined by an investigation,
which shall be performed in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section.
[21 October 2010; 20 December 2012]
Section 656. Terms for the Renewal of Criminal Proceedings in connection with Newly
Disclosed Circumstances
(1) Examination de novo of a judgment of acquittal or a decision to terminate criminal
proceedings shall be permitted only during the limitation period of criminal liability specified
in the Law, and not later than one year from the day of the determination of the newly disclosed
circumstances.
(2) If criminal proceedings have been terminated with a judgment of conviction, then, in
disclosing circumstances that indicate that a specific person has committed a more serious
criminal offence than the offence regarding which such person has been convicted, criminal
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 253
proceedings may be renewed during the limitation period specified for the more serious
criminal offence.
(3) Examination de novo of a judgment of conviction in relation to newly disclosed
circumstances that benefit a convicted person shall not be restricted by a term.
(4) The death of a convicted person shall not be an impediment to the renewal of criminal
proceedings in a case in order to exonerate such person.
(5) The day of the determination the newly disclosed circumstances shall be recognised as:
1) the day when the relevant ruling entered into effect, in the cases determined in
Section 655, Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law;
2) the day when the prosecutor took a decision to commence proceedings for
investigation of the newly disclosed circumstances, in the cases provided for in Section 655,
Paragraph two, Clause 3 of this Law.
[20 December 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 657. Proceedings for Investigation of Newly Disclosed Circumstances
(1) A reason for commencement of investigation of newly disclosed circumstances shall be an
application of the person involved in the criminal proceedings, whose rights or lawful interests
were infringed in the criminal proceedings, or of his or her representative, and also the
information obtained in the course of other criminal proceedings provided that there are grounds
laid down in Section 655, Paragraph two of this Law. The application shall be submitted to an
Office of the Prosecutor according to the location of examination of the initial criminal
proceedings.
(2) Proceedings for investigation of newly disclosed circumstances may not be carried out by a
prosecutor who has carried out investigative actions, investigatory supervision, criminal
prosecution or has participated in examination of a criminal case in a court of any instance.
(3) The following shall be indicated in an application regarding newly disclosed circumstances:
1) the number of the criminal proceedings in respect of which the application is
submitted;
2) the circumstance provided for in Section 655, Paragraph two of this Law and the
essence thereof;
3) the information on which newly disclosed circumstances are based on;
4) the reason why evidence was not submitted or examined in criminal proceedings;
5) what decisive significance has newly disclosed circumstances in respect of the valid
ruling in the criminal proceedings;
6) the request of the applicant.
(4) If the information specified in Paragraph three of this Section is not included in the
application or the content of the application in respect of newly disclosed circumstances
indicated in the application already examined has not changed on the merits, a prosecutor shall
take a decision to leave the application without examination and notify the applicant thereof. A
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(5) If the information indicated in Paragraph three of this Section is included in the application
or the information is obtained in the course of other criminal proceedings, a prosecutor shall
take a decision to commence proceedings for examination of newly disclosed circumstances by
writing it in the form of resolution, and perform investigation by complying with the provisions
of this Law regarding pre-trial criminal proceedings, and notify the applicant thereof. A
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) If after completion of investigation of newly disclosed circumstances a prosecutor
recognises that there are grounds to decide on the revocation of the valid ruling in criminal
proceedings, he or she shall take a decision to transfer the application together with the criminal
case and materials obtained when investigating newly disclosed circumstances for examination
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 254
to the Supreme Court, but if a prosecutor’s penal order has been applied to the person – to the
Office of the Prosecutor General. A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(7) If following an investigation of newly disclosed circumstances a prosecutor does not find
grounds for revocation of a ruling due to such circumstances, he or she shall take a reasoned
decision to refuse the application. The prosecutor shall send a copy of the decision to the
applicant explaining his or her rights to appeal the decision to the district (city) court within
10 days from the day of receipt thereof, but if a prosecutor’s penal order has been applied to the
person – to a higher-ranking prosecutor.
(8) A judge shall examine the complaint in a written procedure and take a decision to transfer
the application together with the criminal case and materials obtained when investigating newly
disclosed circumstances for examination to the Supreme Court, but if there are grounds to
decide to revoke the valid ruling in criminal proceedings, or to refuse the complaint if there are
no grounds to decide to revoke such ruling. A decision of the judge shall not be subject to
appeal.
(9) If a higher-ranking prosecutor, when examining the complaint, detects that there are grounds
to revoke a prosecutor’s penal order which has come into effect in criminal proceedings, he or
she shall take a decision to transfer the application together with the criminal case and materials
obtained when investigating newly disclosed circumstances for examination to the Office of
the Prosecutor General. If a higher-ranking prosecutor does not detect such grounds, he or she
shall take a decision to refuse the complaint. A decision of a higher-ranking prosecutor shall
not be subject to appeal.
[30 March 2017]
Section 658. Actions of a Prosecutor following the Completion of an Investigation of
Newly Disclosed Circumstances
[30 March 2017]
Section 658.1 Procedures for Examination of Cases by the Office of the Prosecutor
General in Relation to Newly Disclosed Circumstances
(1) An application, a decision of a prosecutor and the submitted materials shall be examined by
the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice Department of the Office of the Prosecutor General
or the Prosecutor General and one of the following decisions shall be taken:
1) to revoke the prosecutor’s penal order and to fully or in any party renew the criminal
proceedings in relation to newly disclosed circumstances;
2) to revoke the prosecutor’s penal order and to revoke the criminal proceedings;
3) to refuse the application.
(2) A decision of the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice Department of the Office of the
Prosecutor General or the Prosecutor General shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) After renewal of the criminal proceedings they shall be continued in conformity with the
conditions of this Law regarding pre-trial criminal proceedings.
[20 December 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 659. Composition of the Supreme Court that Examines a Case in Relation to
Newly Disclosed Circumstances
An application and a decision of the judge and prosecutor, and also the submitted
materials shall be examined:
1) regarding a case in which a ruling has been made by a court of first instance or an
appellate court – by the judge of the Supreme Court;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 255
2) regarding a case in which a decision has been taken by the cassation court – five
judges of the Supreme Court who have not previously participated in examination of such
criminal case.
[30 March 2017]
Section 660. Procedures by which the Supreme Court Examines a Case in Relation to
Newly Disclosed Circumstances
(1) Upon receipt of an application and decision of the judge or prosecutor, and also a criminal
case and materials obtained when investigating newly disclosed circumstances, the judge of the
Supreme Court shall determine the time and place for examination of the case. The persons
whose rights or lawful interests are infringed by the application shall be notified thereof by
explaining their rights to participate in the court hearing. A convicted person who is in a place
of deprivation of liberty, if he or she is not the submitter of the application, shall be sent a copy
of the application or decision of the judge or prosecutor by informing the convicted person
regarding his or her right to request that he or she is provided with an opportunity to participate
in the court hearing.
(2) The participation of a prosecutor in the court hearing is mandatory.
(3) The non-attendance of a person whose rights or lawful interests are infringed by the
application and decision of the judge or prosecutor, shall not be an impediment to examination
of the case.
(4) Examination of the case shall take place according to the procedures laid down for
examination of cases in a cassation court in oral procedure, except that laid down in this
Paragraph:
1) a judge shall present an account outlining the circumstances of the case which relate
to the application and decision of the judge or prosecutor;
2) after the report of the judge the prosecutor shall justify the decision or express an
opinion on the application;
3) after the report of the judge the applicant or representative of the applicant shall
justify the application if he or she participates in the court hearing.
(5) The court shall take one of the following decisions:
1) to revoke the court ruling completely or in part thereof, renew criminal proceedings
according to the revoked extent in relation to newly disclosed circumstances and send the case
to the Office of the Prosecutor;
2) to revoke the court ruling completely or in part thereof, renew criminal proceedings
according to the revoked extent in relation to newly disclosed circumstances and send the case
to the court of the relevant instance for examination de novo;
3) to refuse the application;
4) terminate court proceedings.
[30 March 2017; 27 September 2018]
Section 661. Procedures if Criminal Proceedings have been Renewed in Relation to Newly
Disclosed Circumstances
(1) Following renewal of criminal proceedings in connection with newly disclosed
circumstances, pre-trial proceedings, examination of the case, and appeal of a court ruling shall
take place in accordance with general procedure.
(2) In examining a criminal case in which a judgment has been revoked in connection with
newly disclosed circumstances, the court shall not be bound by the punishment determined in
the revoked judgment.
[21 October 2010]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 256
Chapter 63 Examination De Novo of Valid Rulings in Relation to a Substantial Violation
of the Norms of a Material or Procedural Law
Section 662. Rulings that may be Examined De Novo
(1) A valid court ruling may be examined de novo, if such ruling has not been examined in
accordance with cassation procedures, on the basis of an application or protest of the persons
referred to in Section 663 of this Law.
(2) A valid ruling may be examined de novo in criminal proceedings wherein a special law
regarding the exoneration of a person is to be applied.
Section 663. Persons who have the Right to Submit an Application or Protest
(1) An advocate may submit an application regarding examination of a court ruling de novo
under the assignment of the convicted or acquitted person, or under the assignment of the person
against whom criminal proceedings have been terminated with a court decision.
(2) The Prosecutor General or the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice Department of the
Office of the Prosecutor General may submit a protest upon initiative thereof or upon request
of the persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) An application or protest shall be submitted to the Supreme Court.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 19 December 2013]
Section 664. Rights to Withdraw an Application or Protest
(1) The submitter of an application or protest has the right to withdraw such application or
protest up to the commencement of the trial of a case.
(2) The Prosecutor General may also withdraw a protest of the chief prosecutor of the Criminal
Justice Department of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Section 665. Grounds for the Submission of an Application or Protest
An application or protest may be submitted, if:
1) a ruling has been made by an unlawful composition of the court;
2) a service investigation has determined that one of the judges did not sign the ruling
because he or she did not participate in the making of the ruling in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the law;
3) the violations referred to in Section 574 or 575 of this Law have led to the unlawful
deterioration of the condition of the convicted person.
[19 January 2006]
Section 666. Form of an Application or Protest
(1) An application or protest shall be submitted in writing.
(2) An application or protest shall indicate and substantiate the grounds for the appeal of a ruling
referred to in Section 665 of this Law.
Section 667. Term for the Submission of an Application or Protest
The term for the submission of an application or protest shall not be subject to
restrictions.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 257
Section 668. Requesting a Criminal Case for Inspection
(1) A judge of the Supreme Court may request a criminal case for any court in order to decide
the matter regarding examination of an application or examination of a protest of a prosecutor.
(2) The Prosecutor General or the chief prosecutor of the Criminal Justice Department of the
Office of the Prosecutor General may request a criminal case for any court in order to decide
the matter regarding examination of an application or the submission of a protest.
(3) The persons referred to in Section 663, Paragraph one of this Law, and the advocates
representing the interests thereof, have the right to acquaint themselves with the materials of a
criminal case, in order to prepare an application, in the authority wherein the criminal-case file
is located, and to receive copies of the necessary case materials.
[12 March 2009; 21 October 2010; 19 December 2013]
Section 669. Suspension of the Execution of Rulings
If the Supreme Court has accepted for examination an application or protest, it may
defer or suspend execution of a judgment or decision until examination de novo.
[19 December 2013]
Section 670. Examination De novo of a Ruling in Court
(1) The Supreme Court shall examine de novo, in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Sections 582-586 of this Law, applications and protests regarding judgments and decisions that
have entered into effect.
(2) Before commencing examination of a case in court a copy of the submitted application or
protest shall be sent to the persons whose rights or lawful interests have been infringed by the
application or protest submitted.
[21 October 2010; 19 December 2013]
Section 671. Extent of Examination De novo of Rulings
(1) In examining an application or protest, a court shall examine the judgment or decision in
the disputed part.
(2) A court may also examine a judgment and decision in full extent and in relation to all
convicted persons, if there are grounds for the revocation of a ruling regarding violations of the
law that have led to the incorrect deliberation of a case.
Section 672. Decisions Taken as a Result of Examination of Applications or Protests
(1) One of the decisions indicated in Section 587 of this Law may be taken as a result of
examination of an application or protest.
(2) The content of a decision shall conform to the requirements specified in Section 588 of this
Law.
Part C International Co-operation in the Criminal-legal Field
Chapter 64 General Provisions of Co-operation
Section 673. Types of International Co-operation
(1) Latvia shall request international co-operation in criminal matters from a foreign country
(hereinafter also – the criminal-legal co-operation), and shall ensure such co-operation:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 258
1) in the extradition of a person for criminal prosecution, trial, or the execution of a
judgment, or for the determination of compulsory measures of a medical nature;
2) in the transfer of criminal proceedings;
3) [24 May 2012];
4) in the execution of procedural actions;
41) in the execution of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty;
5) in the recognition and execution of a judgment;
6) in other cases provided for in international treaties.
(2) Criminal-legal co-operation with international courts and with courts and tribunals
established by international organisations (hereinafter – the international court) shall provide
for the transfer of persons to international courts, for procedural assistance for such courts, and
for the execution of the rulings of international courts.
(3) Information regarding receipt, sending, course of execution of international criminal-legal
co-operation requests and persons concerned by the international criminal-legal co-operation
request shall be registered in the information system. The Cabinet shall determine the
procedures for maintaining and using the information system, the amount of information to be
included therein, the procedures for including, using and deleting information, the time periods
for storing information, as well as the institutions, which shall be granted access to the
information included in the information system, and the amount of information to be accessible
to such institutions.
[24 May 2012; 5 September 2013]
Section 674. Legal Grounds for Criminal-legal Co-operation
(1) The sources of criminal-procedural rights specified in Section 2 of this Law shall regulate
criminal-legal co-operation.
(2) The criminal procedure of another state may be applied, if such necessity has been justified
in a request for criminal-legal co-operation, and if such application is not in contradiction with
the basic principles of Latvian criminal procedure.
(3) Latvia may request that a foreign country, in fulfilling a request for criminal-legal assistance,
apply the criminal procedure specified in Latvia, or separate principles thereof.
Section 675. Criminal-legal Co-operation in Competent Authorities
(1) The competent authorities that are specified in laws and regulations shall send and received
requests for criminal-legal co-operation, and such institutions shall regulate international co-
operation in criminal matters.
(2) A Latvian competent authority may agree, in criminal-legal co-operation, with a foreign
competent authority regarding the direct communication between courts, Offices of the
Prosecutor, and investigating institutions.
(3) If an agreement with a foreign country regarding criminal-legal co-operation does not exist,
the Minister for Justice and the Prosecutor General have the right, within the framework of the
competence specified in this Part of this Law, to submit to the foreign country a request for
criminal-legal co-operation, or to receive a request from the foreign country for criminal-legal
co-operation.
(4) The officials referred to in Paragraph three of this Section may request from, or submit to,
a foreign country a confirmation that reciprocity will be observed in criminal-legal co-
operation, that is, that the co-operation partner will hereinafter provide assistance, observing
the same principles.
(5) Latvian competent authorities are entitled, in criminal-legal co-operation, to co-operate with
contact persons of Eurojust (European Judicial Cooperation Unit) and the European Judicial
Network in Criminal Matters.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 259
[18 February 2016]
Section 676. Admissibility of Evidence within the Framework of Criminal-legal Co-
operation
Evidence that has been acquired as a result of criminal-legal co-operation and in
accordance with the criminal procedure specified in a foreign country shall be made equivalent
to the evidence acquired in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Law.
Section 677. Participation of an Advocate
(1) In performing criminal-legal co-operation, an advocate shall be summoned to provide legal
assistance to a person, or, in the cases provided for in this Part of this Law, to perform the
assistance of a defence counsel.
(2) An advocate may provide legal assistance from the moment when a person is detained or
placed under arrest, or in other cases provided for in this Law.
(3) In providing legal assistance, an advocate has the following rights:
1) to meet with the person under conditions that ensure the confidentiality of the
conversation;
2) to submit evidence and submit requests;
3) to receive the data necessary for the provision of legal aid in accordance with the
procedures laid down in laws and regulations.
(4) The participation of an advocate is mandatory in the cases determined in Section 83 of this
Law.
(5) An investigating judge or court may, in assessing the financial situation of a person,
completely or partially release such person from payment for legal assistance. If the person has
been released from payment for legal assistance, the work remuneration of an advocate shall be
covered by State resources in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.
The Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates may also release a person from payment for legal
assistance and cover the work remuneration of an advocate from the budget thereof.
(6) In the proceedings of criminal-legal co-operation, a defence counsel has the same rights as
in criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia.
[12 March 2009]
Section 678. Form and Content of Criminal Proceedings Co-operation Document
(1) A request for criminal-legal co-operation shall be submitted in writing, if an international
agreement or law has not specified otherwise.
(2) A request shall indicate:
1) the name of the authority of the submitter of the request;
2) the object and essence of the request;
3) a description of the criminal offence and the legal classification of such offence;
4) information that may help to identify a person.
(3) A request shall also indicate other information that is necessary for the execution thereof.
(4) If in co-operation of criminal proceedings with the Member States of the European Union a
special document is provided for, the form and content thereof shall be defined by the Cabinet.
(5) The competent authority, in sending a request for criminal-legal co-operation, may request
a foreign country to ensure the confidentiality of the information contained in the request.
[22 November 2007; 14 January 2010]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 260
Section 679. Language of a Request for Criminal-legal Co-operation
(1) A request for criminal-legal co-operation shall be written and submitted in the official
language.
(2) In the cases provided for in international agreements, a translation of a request in the
language that the states have chosen as the language of communication shall be attached to the
request.
(3) If an international agreement does not determine a language of communication, a request
may be submitted to a foreign country without attaching a translation.
(4) If an international agreement does not regulate criminal-legal co-operation with a foreign
country, a translation in the language of the relevant country shall be attached to a request.
(5) The competent authority may come to an agreement with the competent authority of a
foreign country regarding a different procedure for language use.
Section 679.1 Exchange of Information Regarding Criminal Proceedings Taking Place in
Latvia for the Same Criminal Offence
(1) If there is a justified reason to believe that criminal proceedings for the same criminal
offence are taking place in another country concurrently with the criminal proceedings taking
place in Latvia and sufficient confirmation has not been obtained beforehand as a result of
international co-operation, the person directing the proceedings shall, with the intermediation
of the competent authority, request the foreign country to provide information regarding it. The
person directing the proceedings shall indicate the information referred to in Section 678 of this
Law in the request. If the request is submitted to a European Union Member State, it shall be
translated into the official language of the respective European Union Member State or into the
language, which was indicated by the state for communication to the General Secretariat of the
Council of the European Union.
(2) Having received a request of a foreign country to provide information regarding whether
criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence are taking place in Latvia, the competent
authority shall provide information to the foreign country within the time period indicated in
the request, but if a time period has not been indicated information shall be provided as soon
after receipt of the request as possible.
(3) The following shall be indicated in the information to a foreign country regarding whether
criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence are taking place in Latvia:
1) contact information of the person directing the proceedings;
2) information regarding whether criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence
are taking place or have taken place and whether the same person is related thereto;
3) if criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence are taking place in Latvia – the
criminal procedural stage and, if a final ruling has been made, the essence of the ruling.
(4) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall be the competent authority in exchange of
information in pre-trial proceedings, and the State Police – for the commencement of criminal
prosecution. After transfer of a case to a court the Ministry of Justice shall be the competent
authority for exchange of information.
[24 May 2012; 29 May 2014]
Section 680. Expenditures
(1) Latvia shall cover expenditures that come about in performing criminal-legal co-operation
in the territory thereof and in connection with the transit of a person to Latvia through the
territory of a third country, if this Part of this Law, another laws and regulations, or the mutual
agreement of the states does not specify otherwise.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 261
(2) Latvia shall cover expenditures that come about in performing temporary acceptance of a
person or his or her transfer upon the request of Latvia.
[30 March 2017]
Section 681. Transit of Persons
(1) If criminal-legal co-operation is related to the transportation of a person from a foreign
country to Latvia through the territory of a third country, the competent authority of Latvia
shall, if necessary, issue a transit request to such third country.
(2) If a person is transported with air transport, and landing in the territory of a third country is
not planned, the competent authority of Latvia shall not issue a transit request, and, in the cases
provided for in international agreements, the third country shall only be inform regarding such
transportation.
(3) The competent authority of Latvia may allow, upon request of a foreign country, the transit
of a person related to criminal-legal co-operation through the territory of Latvia. A transit
request may be rejected, if the transit of a citizen or non-citizen of Latvia – a subject of the law
On the State of Former Citizens of the U.S.S.R. who do not have Latvian Citizenship or the
Citizenship of Another State (hereinafter – the Latvian citizen) is requested.
(4) A transit request shall be written the same as a request for a specific type of criminal-legal
co-operation.
Division Fourteen
Extradition
Chapter 65 Extradition of a Person to Latvia
Section 682. Provisions for the Submission of a Request for the Extradition of a Person
(1) The extradition of a person may be requested, if there are grounds to believe that the
following is located in a foreign country:
1) a person who is a suspect or accused in the committing of a criminal offence that may
be punished on the basis of The Criminal Law, and regarding which deprivation of liberty is
intended with a maximum limit of not less than one year, if an international agreement does not
provide for another term; or
2) a person who has been convicted in Latvia with deprivation of liberty for a term of
not less than four months.
(2) The extradition of a person may also be requested regarding several criminal offences if
extradition may not be applied to one of such offences because such offence does not comply
with a condition regarding a possible or imposed punishment.
(3) A request for the extradition of a person may not be submitted if the seriousness or nature
of a criminal offence does match the expenses of the extradition.
[20 December 2012]
Section 683. Procedures for the Submission of a Request for the Extradition of a Person
(1) If the provisions referred to in Section 682, Paragraph one of this Law have been
determined, the person directing the proceedings or the court which controls complete
execution of a judgment or decision, or the court which decides on the replacement of a
punishment with deprivation of liberty shall turn to the Office of the Prosecutor General with a
written proposal to request the extradition of a person from a foreign country.
(2) A proposal shall indicate the information referred to in Section 678 of this Law, and the
attachments referred to in Section 684 of this Law shall be attached to such proposal.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 262
(3) A proposal shall be examined within 10 days, but in emergency cases – immediately after
receipt thereof in the Office of the Prosecutor General, and the person directing the proceedings
or the court which applied with a proposal to request the foreign country the extradition of a
person shall be informed regarding the results. The Prosecutor General may extend the term of
examination, and the person directing the proceedings or a court, which applied with a proposal
to request the extradition of a person from the foreign country, shall be informed regarding such
extension.
(4) If there are grounds for requesting the extradition of a person, the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall prepare and send a request to a foreign country.
(5) The Office of the Prosecutor General also may submit to a foreign country a request for the
extradition of a person on the basis of the initiative thereof.
[11 June 2009; 20 December 2012]
Section 684. Request for the Extradition of a Person
(1) A request for the extradition of a person shall be written in accordance with the requirements
of Section 678 of this Law, and the following shall be attached to such request:
1) a certified copy of a decision to apply a security measure – arrest, or of a court
judgment of conviction that has entered into effect;
2) a certified copy of a decision to recognise a person as a suspect or on holding of a
person criminally liable;
3) the text of the section of a law on the basis of which a person is held suspect, held
criminally liable, or convicted, and the texts of the sections of a law that regulate a limitation
period and the classification of a criminal offence;
4) a certified copy of an order regarding the execution of a judgment;
5) information that may help to identify a person;
6) other documents, if such documents have been requested by a foreign country.
(2) True copies, copies and extracts of the documents attached to an extradition request shall be
prepared and certified in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations
regarding preparation and drawing up of documents.
[17 May 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 685. Grounds and Procedures for the Announcement of an International Search
for a Person
(1) If the conditions referred to in Section 682, Paragraph one of this Law have been
determined, and there are grounds to believe that a person has left the territory of Latvia but the
whereabouts of such person are unknown, the person directing the proceedings or the court,
which controls the complete execution of a judgment or decision, or the court, which decides
on the replacement of a punishment with deprivation of liberty, shall request the Office of the
Prosecutor General to take a decision on an international search for such person for the purpose
of requesting the extradition of such person, attaching to the request the documents referred to
in Section 684 of this Law.
(2) If there are grounds for requesting the extradition of a person, the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall take a decision on announcement of an international search for the person, send
such decision for execution, and inform the person directing the proceedings regarding such
decision.
[11 June 2009; 20 December 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 263
Section 686. Request for Temporary Arrest
(1) Before sending an extradition request, the Office of the Prosecutor General may request for
a foreign country to apply temporary arrest to the person to be extradited.
(2) A request regarding temporary arrest shall be written in conformity with the requirements
of Section 678 of this Law. Such request shall also indicate a decision to apply a security
measure – arrest, or a judgment of conviction that has entered into effect, and inform regarding
the intention of Latvia to submit a request for the extradition of a person.
(3) If a request for the temporary arrest of a person has been submitted, an extradition request
shall be sent as soon as possible, taking into account the term for temporary arrest specified in
international agreements.
Section 687. Takeover of a Person Extradited by a Foreign Country
(1) The takeover of a person extradited by a foreign country shall be performed by the State
Police in the terms laid down in international agreements. The Office of the Prosecutor General
shall be informed within 24 hours regarding the conveyance of a person to Latvia.
(2) If a suspect has been extradited during pre-trial proceedings, a prosecutor or higher-ranking
prosecutor shall submit a prosecution to this person within 10 days after taking of the person to
Latvia. If the prosecuted person is extradited – the prosecution shall be submitted within
72 hours, but if the prosecution has been issued before – the rights to submit recusals and
requests, submit complaints shall be explained to the person.
(3) If a person has been extradited during a trial, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall
notify the person directing the proceedings within three days regarding the fact that the
extradited person has been conveyed to Latvia.
(4) If the takeover of an extradited person is related to transit, the State Police shall turn to the
Office of the Prosecutor General with a request to receive permission from a third country for
the transit of the extradited person.
[29 June 2008; 18 February 2016]
Section 688. Transfer of a Person from Foreign Country for a Term
(1) If a foreign country has deferred the transfer of a person to be extradited, and such deferment
may cause a limitation period of the term of criminal liability or hinder an investigation of a
criminal offence, the Office of the Prosecutor General may request for the foreign country to
transfer such person for a term.
(2) Transfer of a person for a term shall take place upon mutual written agreement of the
competent authorities.
[29 June 2008]
Section 689. Frameworks of the Criminal Liability and of the Execution of a Punishment
of a Person Extradited by a Foreign Country
(1) A person may be held criminally liable, tried and a punishment may be executed only
regarding the criminal offence regarding which such person has been extradited.
(2) Such conditions do not apply to cases where:
1) the consent of the extraditing state has been received for criminal prosecution, and
trial, regarding other offences committed before extradition;
2) an offence has been committed after a person was transferred to Latvia;
3) a person did not leave Latvia for 45 days after being released, though he or she had
such opportunity;
4) a person left and returned to Latvia after extradition.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 264
(3) A person may be extradited to a third country only with the consent of the extraditing state.
(4) The consent provided for in Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Section shall be requested in
the same way as extradition.
(5) If a final punishment has been determined for a person on the basis of a totality of criminal
offences or on the basis of several judgments, but such punishment has been issued only
regarding part of such offences or judgments, the court that determined the final punishment
shall determine the executable part of the punishment in accordance with the procedures
provided for in Division Sixteen of this Law.
[29 June 2008]
Section 690. Inclusion of the Time Spent under Arrest in a Foreign Country
(1) The term of arrest shall be counted for an extradited person from the moment of the crossing
of the border of the Republic of Latvia.
(2) The term that a person has spent, upon request of Latvia, under arrest in a foreign country
shall be included in the term of a punishment.
Section 691. Extradition of a Person to Latvia from a European Union Member State
(1) The extradition of a person from Latvia to a European Union Member State shall take place
on the basis of a decision taken by the Office of the Prosecutor General on issuance of a
European arrest warrant (hereinafter – the European arrest warrant).
(2) A European arrest warrant is a ruling of a judicial authority of a European Union Member
State that has been made in order for another Member State to extradite a person for the
commencement or performance of criminal prosecution or for the execution of a punishment
related to the deprivation of liberty.
[21 October 2010]
Section 692. Procedures for the Taking of a European Arrest Warrant
(1) If the conditions referred to in Section 682 of this Law have been established, the person
directing the proceedings or the court, which controls the execution of a judgment or decision
to full extent, or the court, which decides on the substitution of punishment with deprivation of
liberty, shall turn to the Office of the Prosecutor General with a written proposal to take a
European arrest warrant.
(2) A proposal shall indicate the information referred to in Section 678 of this Law, and the
documents referred to in Section 684 of this Law shall be attached to such proposal.
(3) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall examine a proposal within 10 days, and inform
the submitter of the proposal regarding the decision taken. If a person has been detained in a
European Union Member State, the proposal shall be reviewed within 24 hours.
(4) [21 October 2010]
(5) [21 October 2010]
(51) [21 October 2010]
(6) If grounds for taking a European arrest warrant have been established, the Office of the
Prosecutor General shall take a European arrest warrant, which is not subject to appeal.
[29 June 2008; 12 March 2009; 11 June 2009; 21 October 2010; 20 December 2012]
Section 693. European Arrest Warrant
[22 November 2007]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 265
Section 694. Execution of a European Arrest Warrant
(1) If the whereabouts of a requested person are known, the Office of the Prosecutor General
shall send a European arrest warrant to the competent authority of the relevant European Union
Member State, attaching to such decision a translation thereof in the language specified by the
Member State.
(2) If a European arrest warrant has been taken for the criminal prosecution of a person, the
Office of the Prosecutor General may, on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the
proceedings and up to the time when a Member State takes a decision on extradition or non-
extradition of a person, request that the competent judicial authority of the Member State:
1) interrogate the person, with the participation of the person directing the proceedings;
2) transfer the person for a term, agreeing regarding the time of return.
(3) If the whereabouts of a requested person are unknown, the Office of the Prosecutor General
shall send a copy of a European arrest warrant to the State Police for ensuring of the
international search.
(31) If a Member State requests to guarantee that a person extradited by a Member State after
conviction in Latvia will be returned for serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty, such
guarantee shall be issued by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
(4) The State Police shall take over a person within 10 days from the day when a decision was
taken on extradition of a person, or come to an agreement with the competent judicial authority
of the Member State extraditing the person regarding another time for taking over the person.
The Office of the Prosecutor General shall be informed within 24 hours regarding the
conveyance of a person to Latvia. The takeover of a person shall take place in accordance with
the procedures laid down in Section 687, Paragraphs two, three and four of this Law.
[11 June 2009; 18 February 2016]
Section 695. Conditions related to the Takeover of a Person from a European Union
Member State
(1) In taking over a person from a European Union Member State, the conditions referred to in
Sections 689 and 690 of this Law shall be complied with.
(2) In addition to that referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, a person may also be held
criminally liable, tried and a punishment may be executed regarding other criminal offences
regarding which such person was not extradited, as well as further extradited to another Member
State, in the following cases:
1) the offence of the person is not punishable with deprivation of liberty or a compulsory
measure that restricts freedom;
2) the person may be subjected to a punishment that is not related to the deprivation of
liberty;
21) a person in the Member State of the European Union has agreed with it;
3) the person has agreed thereto after takeover of such person in Latvia, and such consent
was accepted by a prosecutor in the presence of an advocate, entering such acceptance in the
minutes;
4) within 45 days after release, the person has not left Latvia even though there was such
an opportunity;
5) the person has left Latvia after release and has returned there.
[29 June 2008; 11 June 2009; 30 March 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 266
Chapter 66 Extradition of a Person to a Foreign Country
Section 696. Grounds for the Extradition of a Person
(1) A person who is located in the territory of Latvia may be extradited for criminal prosecution,
trial, or the execution of a judgment, if a request has been received for temporary arrest or from
a foreign country to extradite such person regarding an offence that, in accordance with the law
of Latvia and the foreign country, is criminal.
(2) A person may be extradited for criminal prosecution, or trial, regarding an offence the
committing of which provides for a punishment of deprivation of liberty the maximum limit of
which is not less than one year, or a more serious punishment, if the international agreement
does not provide otherwise.
(3) A person may be extradited for the execution of a judgment by the state that rendered the
judgment and convicted the person with a punishment that is related to deprivation of liberty
for a term of not less than four months, if the international agreement does not provide
otherwise.
(4) If extradition has been requested regarding several criminal offences, but extradition may
not be applied for one of such offences because such offence does not comply with the
conditions regarding the possible or imposed punishment, the person may also be extradited
regarding such criminal offence.
[11 June 2009; 24 May 2012]
Section 697. Reasons for a Refusal to Extradite a Person
(1) The extradition of a person may be refused, if:
1) a criminal offence has been committing completely or partially in the territory of
Latvia;
2) the person is being held as a suspect, is accused, or is being tried in Latvia regarding
the same criminal offence;
3) a decision has been taken in Latvia to not commence, or to terminate, criminal
proceedings regarding the same criminal offence;
4) extradition has been requested in connection with political or military criminal
offences;
5) a foreign country requests the extradition of a person for the execution of a
punishment imposed in a judgment by default, and a sufficient guarantee has not been received
that the extradited person will have the right to request the re-trial of the case;
6) extradition has been requested by a foreign country with which Latvia does not have
an agreement regarding extradition.
(2) The extradition of a person shall not be admissible, if:
1) the person is a Latvian citizen;
2) the request for the extradition of the person is related to the purpose of commencing
criminal prosecution of such person or punishing such persons due to his or her race, religion
affiliation, nationality, or political views, or if there are sufficient grounds to believe that the
rights of the person may be violated due to the referred to reasons;
3) a court ruling has entered into effect in Latvia in relation to the person regarding the
same criminal offence;
4) the person may not, in accordance with a Latvian law regarding the same criminal
offence, be held criminally liable, tried, or execute a punishment in connection with a limitation
period, amnesty, or another legal basis;
5) the person has been granted clemency, in accordance with the procedures laid down
in law, regarding the same criminal offence;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 267
6) the foreign country does not provide a sufficient bail that such country will not impose
the death punishment on such person and execute such punishment;
7) the person may be threatened with torture in the foreign country;
8) the execution of the request to extradite a person may harm the sovereignty, security,
social order, or other substantial interests of the State of Latvia.
(3) An international agreement may provide for other reasons for a refusal of extradition.
[18 February 2016]
Section 698. Person to be Extradited and his or her Rights
(1) A person to be extradited is a person whose extradition has been requested or who has been
detained or placed under arrest for the purpose of extradition.
(2) A person to be extradited has the following rights:
1) to know who and regarding what has requested his or her extradition;
2) to use a language that he or she understands in the extradition proceedings;
3) to provide explanations in connection with extradition and agree or disagree with
extradition;
4) to submit requests, also requests regarding a simplified extradition;
5) to familiarise himself or herself with all materials of the examination;
6) to invite an advocate for the receipt of legal assistance and to meet the advocate in
circumstances that ensure confidentiality of conversations;
7) to receive the list of advocates who practice in the relevant court district, as well as
to use telephone free of charge to invite the advocate;
8) to request that his or her immediate family, educational institution or employer is
notified regarding his or her detention;
9) to apply a request that an advocate is appointed in the state which rendered the
European arrest warrant.
(3) A foreigner may request that the diplomatic or consular representation of his or her country
is notified regarding his or her detention.
[23 May 2013; 18 February 2016]
Section 699. Detention of a Person for the Purpose of Extradition
(1) An investigator or prosecutor may detain a person for up to 72 hours for the purpose of
extradition, if there are sufficient grounds to believe that such person has committed a criminal
offence in the territory of another country regarding which extradition has been provided for,
or if the a foreign country has announced a search for such person and issued a request for
temporary arrest or extradition.
(2) An investigator or prosecutor shall write a protocol regarding the detention of a person for
the purpose of extradition, indicating therein the given name, surname, and other necessary
personal data of the detained person, the reason for the detention, as well as when such person
was detained and who detained such person. The detaining person and the person to be
extradited shall sign the detention protocol.
(3) A detaining person shall inform a person to be extradited and issue to him or her an excerpt
from Section 698 of this Law regarding the rights determined for such person, and an entry
regarding it shall be made in the detention protocol.
(4) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall be informed immediately, but not later than
within 24 hours, regarding the detention of a person by sending to such Office the detention
documents of such person. The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform the state that
announced a search for the person.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 268
(5) If temporary or extradition arrest has not been applied within 72 hours from the moment of
the detention of a person, the detained person shall be released or another security measure shall
be applied.
[23 May 2013]
Section 699.1 Application of a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty to
a Person to be Extradited
(1) A prosecutor by taking into account the nature and harmfulness of such criminal offence for
which extradition of a person is requested, the personality, health of the person to be extradited,
and other significant circumstances, may apply the security measures not related to deprivation
of liberty referred to in Section 243 of this Law until transfer of the person to be extradited to a
foreign country.
(2) A prosecutor shall apply a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty by a
reasoned written decision in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 245 of this
Law. A decision to apply such security measure is not subject to appeal.
(3) If a person to be extradited violates the provisions of the security measure applied or there
are grounds for assuming that he or she may hinder the course of extradition proceedings, the
prosecutor is entitled, until the transfer of the person to be extradited to a foreign country, to
choose and apply another, more restrictive security measure or to address an investigating judge
with a proposal regarding application of temporary arrest or extradition arrest.
(4) In order to ensure that a person to be extradited in the case referred to in Paragraph three of
this Section is delivered to the investigating judge, the prosecutor or investigator upon
assignment of the prosecutor may detain the person to be extradited in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 699 of this Law.
[18 February 2016]
Section 700. Grounds for the Application of Temporary Arrest
(1) Temporary arrest may be applied to a person to be extradited upon request of a foreign
country regarding temporary arrest and up to the receipt of an extradition request.
(2) If a request regarding temporary arrest indicates a decision of a foreign country on arrest of
the person or a valid judgment in relation to such person, or indicates that the foreign country
will issue an extradition request and the criminal offence regarding which extradition will be
requested, or if information has been provided regarding the person to be extradited or if
circumstances are not known that would exclude the possibility of extradition, a prosecutor
shall submit a proposal regarding the application of temporary arrest and materials justifying
such proposal to the investigating judge in whose territory of operation the person has been
detained or the Office of the Prosecutor General is located.
Section 701. Application of Temporary Arrest
(1) A judge shall decide on the application of temporary arrest in a court hearing, with the
participation of a prosecutor and the person to be extradited.
(2) Having heard a prosecutor, a person to be extradited, and an advocate, if he or she
participates, a judge shall take a reasoned decision that shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) Temporary arrest shall be applied for 40 days from the day of the detention of a person, if
an international agreement does not specify otherwise.
(4) A prosecutor may release a person from temporary arrest, if a request of a foreign country
regarding the extradition of such person, or a report regarding justified reasons for the delay of
such request, has not been received within 18 days after detention.
(5) A prosecutor shall release a person from temporary arrest, if:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 269
1) an extradition request is not received within 40 days;
2) an extradition arrest is not applied within 40 days;
3) circumstances have become known that exclude the possibility of extradition.
(6) The release of a person shall not cause impediments to the repeated placing under arrest or
extradition of such person, if a request regarding extradition is received later.
Section 702. Extradition Arrest
(1) An extradition arrest may be applied after a request regarding the extradition of a person
has been received along with the following:
1) a request of a foreign country regarding the arrest of such person or a judgment that
has entered into effect in relation to the specific person;
2) a description of a criminal offence or a decision to hold the person criminally liable;
3) the text of the section of the law on the basis of which the person has been held
criminally liable or convicted, and the test of the section of the law that regulates a limitation
period;
4) information regarding the person to be extradited.
(2) If circumstances are not known that exclude the possibility of extradition, the executor of
an examination shall submit an application for an extradition arrest and the materials that justify
such application to an investigating judge in whose territory of operation the person was
detained or the Office of the Prosecutor General is located.
(3) An application for an extradition arrest shall be examined in accordance with the same
procedures as a request regarding temporary arrest.
(4) If a person to be extradited is placed under arrest in Latvia or serving a punishment in Latvia
imposed regarding the committing of another criminal offence, the term of the extradition arrest
shall be counted from the moment of the releasing of the person.
(5) The term of the arrest of a person to be extradited shall not exceed one year, and, in addition,
shall not be longer than the term of a punishment imposed in a foreign country, if such term is
less than one year, counting from the moment of the application of the detention or arrest.
[18 February 2016]
Section 702.1 Control of Application of an Extradition Arrest
(1) A person to be extradited, his or her representative or defence counsel may, at any time,
submit an application to an investigating judge regarding an assessment of the necessity of a
subsequent application of extradition arrest.
(2) An application regarding an assessment of the necessity of a subsequent application of
extradition arrest may be refused without an examination thereof in oral procedure, if less than
two months have passed since the last assessment of the necessity of the application of
extradition arrest, and the proposal is not justified with information regarding facts that were
not known to an investigating judge in deciding regarding the application of extradition arrest
or during the previous examination of the application. An investigating judge shall examine
such application in a written procedure without participation of persons involved in the
procedure.
(3) If an application regarding an assessment of the necessity of a subsequent application of
extradition arrest is examined in the oral procedure, the prosecutor, the person to be extradited,
his or her representative and advocate shall participate in the court hearing.
(4) If the person to be extradited, his or her representative or advocate has not, within two
months, submitted an application regarding an assessment of the necessity of a subsequent
application of extradition arrest, such assessment shall be performed by an investigating judge.
(5) The decisions provided for in this Section shall not be subject to appeal.
[18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 270
Section 703. Informing a Foreign Country Regarding Arrest
The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform the state that submitted a request
regarding the arrest, or release from arrest, of a person to be extradited.
Section 704. Examination of an Extradition Request
(1) Having received a request of a foreign country regarding the extradition of a person, the
Office of the Prosecutor General shall commence an examination of such request. A prosecutor
shall ascertain whether the grounds for the extradition of a person specified in Section 696 of
this Law, and the reasons for the refusal of the extradition of a person specified in Section 697
of this Law, exist.
(2) If a request does not have sufficient information in order to decide a matter regarding
extradition, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall request from the foreign country the
necessary additional information for determining the term for the submission of information.
(21) In performing an examination of an extradition request, the Prosecutor General’s Office
may send to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State security institutions a request to provide
an opinion in order to ascertain whether extradition is requested due to a political criminal
offence or the extradition request of a person is related to the purpose of commencing criminal
prosecution of such person or of punishing such person due to his or her political beliefs. The
term for submitting information shall be indicated in the request.
(22) When examining the extradition request and finding that the foreign country has submitted
a request for the extradition of a citizen of the European Union Member State, a prosecutor
shall send information to the country of citizenship of the person regarding the possibility for
the submission of the European arrest warrant and specify a deadline for the submission of the
European arrest warrant.
(3) An examination shall be completed within 20 days from the day of the receipt of an
extradition request. If additional information is necessary for the examination, the term shall be
counted from the day of the receipt of such extradition request. The Prosecutor General may
extend the examination term.
(4) A prosecutor shall acquaint a person to be extradited with the extradition request within 48
hours from the moment of the receipt thereof, and provide the relevant person with the
opportunity to provide explanations. If the person to be extradited has not been detained or
placed under arrest and within 48 hours from the moment of the receipt of an extradition request
a prosecutor has encountered the conditions referred to in Section 697, Paragraph two of this
Law, the extradition request shall be presented to the person within 20 days.
(5) During extradition process until transfer of the person to be extradited to the foreign country
the prosecutor may perform all investigative actions provided for in criminal proceedings and
take procedural decisions, unless it has been laid down otherwise in this Law.
[29 June 2008; 18 February 2016; 27 September 2018]
Section 705. Completion of an Examination
(1) Having assessed the grounds and admissibility for the extradition of a person, a prosecutor
shall take a reasoned decision on following:
1) the admissibility of the extradition of the person;
2) a refusal to extradite the person.
(2) If a decision has been taken on admissibility of the extradition of a person, a copy of the
decision shall be issued to such person.
(3) The decision on admissibility of the extradition shall not be subject to appeal.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 271
(31) A public prosecutor shall submit the decision on admissibility of the extradition to the
Prosecutor General together with examination materials.
(4) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall notify the relevant person and foreign country
regarding a decision on refusal to extradite a person. The prosecutor shall release such person,
without delay, from temporary or extradition arrest, but if the person has been applied a security
measure not related to deprivation of liberty – it shall be revoked.
(5) If a decision to refuse to extradite a person has been taken on the basis of the fact that the
person is a citizen of Latvia, a prosecutor shall transfer the extradition request to a competent
investigating institution for initiating criminal proceedings.
[18 February 2016]
Section 705.1 Decision to Extradite a Person to a Foreign Country
(1) After receipt of the decision of a prosecutor on admissibility of the extradition and
examination materials the Prosecutor General shall take one of the following decisions:
1) to extradite a person to a foreign country;
2) to refuse to extradite a person;
3) to revoke the decision of the prosecutor on admissibility of the extradition and to
transfer the extradition request for additional examination.
(2) A person to be extradited may appeal the Prosecutor Generalʼs decision on admissibility of
the extradition to a foreign country to the Supreme Court within 10 days from the day of receipt
thereof. If the decision is not appealed, it shall enter into effect.
(3) A decision of the Prosecutor General to refuse to extradite a person or a decision of the
Prosecutor General to extradite a person to a foreign country which has entered into effect, shall
be notified by the Office of the Prosecutor General to the relevant person and foreign country
without delay.
(4) As soon as a decision to refuse to extradite a person is taken, the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall release the person from arrest without delay or revoke another security measure
not related to deprivation of liberty.
(5) A decision of the Prosecutor General to extradite a person to a foreign country which has
entered into effect shall be handed over by the Office of the Prosecutor General to the State
Police for execution.
[18 February 2016]
Section 706. Examination of a Complaint Regarding a Decision to Extradite a Person
(1) A panel of three judges of the Supreme Court shall examine a complaint regarding a decision
to extradite a person to a foreign country.
(2) A judge who has been assigned to make an account shall request examination materials
from the Office of the Prosecutor General and determine the term of examination of a
complaint.
(3) The Office of the Prosecutor General, the submitter of a complaint, and his or her advocate
shall be notified regarding the term of examination of the complaint and the right to participate
in the court hearing. If necessary, a court shall request other necessary materials and summon
persons for the provision of explanations.
(4) The submitter of a complaint shall be ensured the opportunity to participate in examination
of the complaint.
(5) If the advocate of a person to be extradited has not arrived, without a justifiable reason,
another advocate shall be summoned for the provision of legal assistance, if the person wishes
to receive legal assistance.
[11 June 2009; 19 December 2013; 18 February 2016]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 272
Section 707. Court Decisions
(1) Having heard the submitter of a complaint, his or her advocate, and a prosecutor, a court
shall retire to deliberate, and take one of the following decisions:
1) to leave a decision to extradite a person to a foreign country unamended;
2) to revoke a decision to extradite a person to a foreign country;
3) to transfer the extradition request for additional examination.
(2) A court decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(3) A court shall send the decision and materials to the Office of the Prosecutor General, as well
as inform the relevant person regarding the decision taken.
(4) If a court revokes a decision to extradite a person to a foreign country, the relevant person
shall be, without delay, released from arrest, but if another security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty has been applied to the person – it shall be revoked.
(5) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform the foreign country regarding the court
decision.
(6) If a court decides to leave a decision to extradite a person to a foreign country unamended,
the Office of the Prosecutor General shall transfer the relevant decision to the State Police for
execution.
[18 February 2016]
Section 708. Decision to Extradite a Person to a Foreign Country
[18 February 2016]
Section 709. Extradition upon Request of Several States
(1) If the Office of the Prosecutor General has received several extradition requests in relation
to one and the same person, an examination of such requests shall be merged in one
proceedings, if a decision on following has not been taken:
1) extradition of the person;
2) a refusal to extradite the person;
3) the admissibility of the extradition of the person.
(2) If a decision to extradite a person has been taken, a request received later shall not be
satisfied. The state that submitted the request shall be notified thereof.
(3) If a decision on admissibility of extradition has entered into effect at the moment of the
receipt of a request of another foreign country, such decision shall not be advanced for taking
of a decision to extradite a person to a foreign country until completion of examination of a
request received later.
(4) If several foreign countries have requested extradition, the Prosecutor General shall, taking
into account the nature of the offence, the place of the committing thereof, and the order of
receipt of the requests, determine the country to which the person shall be extradited.
[18 February 2016]
Section 710. Transfer of a Person being Extradited
(1) The State Police shall inform a foreign country regarding the time and place of the transfer
of a person being extradited, and also regarding the term during which the person was being
held under arrest.
(2) The State Police shall agree with a foreign country regarding another transfer date, if transfer
may not take place on the previously laid down date due to reasons that are independent of the
will of the countries.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 273
(21) In order to ensure transfer of such person to be extradited to whom extradition arrest has
not been applied, the investigator with a consent of a prosecutor shall detain the person to be
extradited in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 699 of this Law.
(22) If transfer of a person to be extradited may not take place within 72 hours from the moment
of detaining the person, a public prosecutor shall submit a proposal regarding application of
extradition arrest to the investigating judge in whose territory of operation the person has been
detained or the Prosecutor General’s Office is located.
(3) If a foreign country does not take over a person being extradited within 30 days from the
specific date of extradition, a prosecutor shall release such person from arrest.
[18 February 2016]
Section 711. Transfer of a Person for a Term or the Deferral of the Transfer of a Person
(1) If criminal proceedings commenced against a person being extradited must be completed,
or a punishment imposed on such person must be fulfilled, in Latvia after a decision has been
taken on extradition of the person, the Prosecutor General may, in accordance with this
Paragraph of the Law, defer the transfer of the requested person to the foreign country.
(2) If the deferral of a transfer may cause a limitation period of the term of criminal liability or
hinder the investigation of the criminal offence in a foreign country, and such transfer does not
interfere with the conduct of court proceedings in Latvia, the Prosecutor General may transfer
a person to a foreign country for a term, determining the term for return transfer.
[18 February 2016]
Section 712. Repeated Extradition
If an extradited person evades criminal prosecution or a punishment in a foreign country
and has returned to Latvia, such person may be repeatedly extradited upon request of the foreign
country and on the basis of a previously taken decision on extradition.
Section 713. Simplified Extradition
(1) A person may be extradited to a foreign country in accordance with simplified procedures,
if:
1) the written consent of the person to be extradited has been received for the extradition
thereof in accordance with simplified procedures;
2) the person to be extradited is not a Latvian citizen;
3) [29 June 2008].
(11) A person being extradited has the right to waive his or her rights to be held criminally liable
and tried only for the criminal offences regarding which he or she is being extradited.
(2) A person being extradited shall certify his or her consent for extradition in accordance with
simplified procedures and waiving of his or her rights to be held criminally liable and tried only
for the criminal offences regarding which he or she is being extradited, to a prosecutor in the
presence of an advocate before a decision is taken on admissibility of extradition.
(3) After receipt of consent, a prosecutor shall ascertain only that which is referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section, and immediately submit to the Prosecutor General the materials
related to extradition.
(31) A person being extradited may withdraw his or her consent for extradition in accordance
with simplified procedures in accordance with Paragraph four of this Section and waiving of
his or her rights to be held criminally liable and tried only for the criminal offences regarding
which he or she is being extradited, – until transfer of the person being extradited.
(4) The Prosecutor General shall take one of the following decisions:
1) on extradition of a person;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 274
2) on refusal to extradite a person;
3) on non-application of simplified extradition.
(5) A decision taken by the Prosecutor General shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) A foreign country and a person to be extradited shall be informed regarding the extradition
of the person or a refusal to extradite such person, and the relevant decision shall be transferred
to the State Police for execution.
[29 June 2008; 24 May 2012; 18 February 2016]
Section 714. Extradition of a Person to a European Union Member State
(1) A person located in the territory of Latvia may be extradited to a European Union Member
State for the commencement and performance of criminal prosecution, trial, and the execution
of a judgment, if the foreign country has taken a European arrest warrant in relation to such
person, and the grounds for extradition referred to in Section 696 of this Law exist.
(2) If a person has been extradited regarding an offence referred to in Annex 2 to this Law, and
if, regarding the committing of such offence, a punishment of deprivation of liberty is provided
for in the state that took the European arrest warrant the maximum limit of which is not less
than three years, an examination regarding whether such offence is also criminal on the basis
of the Latvian law shall not be conducted.
(3) If a European arrest warrant has been taken in a foreign country regarding a Latvian citizen,
then the extradition of such person shall take place with the condition that the person be
transferred back to Latvia, after conviction thereof, for the serving of a punishment of
deprivation of liberty imposed on such person. Execution of the imposed punishment shall take
place in accordance with the procedures laid down in Sections 782–801 of this Law.
(4) The extradition of a person may be refused, if:
1) the reasons referred to in Section 697, Paragraph one, Clauses 1-3 of this Law exist;
2) the person may not, in accordance with a Latvian law regarding the same criminal
offence, be held criminally liable, tried, or have a punishment executed due to a limitation
period;
3) the offence has been committed outside of the territory of the state that has taken a
European arrest warrant, and such offence, in accordance with Latvian law, is not criminal.
(5) The extradition of a person shall not be admissible, if:
1) in accordance with Latvian law, the person may not be held criminally liable, tried,
or punished in connection with amnesty;
2) the person has been convicted regarding the same criminal offence and has served or
is serving a punishment in one of the European Union Member State, or such punishment may
no longer be executed;
3) the person has not reached the age at which, in accordance with Latvian law, criminal
liability comes into effect;
4) the extradition of a Latvian citizen is requested for the execution of a punishment
imposed by a European Union Member State.
Section 715. Conditions Related to the Extradition of a Person to a European Union
Member State
(1) The person being extradited has the rights determined in Sections 60.2 and 698 of this Law
and an extract regarding them shall be issued to such person in accordance with Section 699,
Paragraph three of this Law, as well as the right to be held criminally liable and be tried only
for criminal offences regarding which he or she is being extradited, except for the cases
provided for in Section 695, Paragraph two of this Law. Before completing verification of the
request for extradition the person being extradited shall be provided with a written translation
of the European arrest warrant in the language comprehensible to him or her.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 275
(11) If the person being extradited submits a request that an advocate is appointed in the state
that rendered the European arrest warrant, the Prosecutor General’s Office shall inform the
relevant state regarding such request without delay.
(2) A person being extradited shall certify his or her consent for extradition and waiving of his
or her rights to be held criminally liable and tried only regarding the criminal offences regarding
which he or she is being extradited, to a prosecutor in the presence of an advocate, and a
protocol shall be written regarding such certification.
(3) If a person being extradited is a Latvian citizen, such person has the right to waive the rights
that guarantee that the Latvian citizen, after conviction thereof in a European Union Member
State, be transferred back to Latvia for the serving of an imposed punishment. If a citizen of
Latvia does not waive such rights, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall request the referred
to guarantee to the state which has taken a European arrest warrant.
(31) If a person being extradited was not informed beforehand that criminal proceedings have
been initiated against him or her in a European Union Member State and a judgment was taken
in his or her absence (in absentia), such person may request that a copy of the judgment is issued
to him or her. Upon request of the person being extradited the Office of the Prosecutor General
shall request the relevant European Union Member State to ensure the availability of the
judgment. Such request of the person being extradited shall not delay his or her extradition.
(4) The course of the term of the execution of a European arrest warrant in relation to a person
who has immunity from criminal proceedings shall commence from the moment when such
person loses the immunity in accordance with the procedures laid down in law. The proposal
to revoke immunity from criminal proceedings shall be submitted to the competent authority
by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
(5) Latvia shall accept European arrest warrants for execution in the Latvian or English
language.
[29 June 2008; 11 June 2009; 24 May 2012; 23 May 2013; 18 February 2016;
27 September 2018]
Section 716. Examination in Relation to the Extradition of a Person to a European Union
Member State
(1) Having received a European arrest warrant, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall
organise an examination thereof.
(2) A prosecutor shall conduct an examination in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Section 704 of this Law by ascertaining whether grounds exist for the extradition of a person
and whether the reasons specified in Section 714 of this Law exist for a refusal of the extradition
of the person.
(21) If a person agrees to the extradition, an examination shall be completed within 10 days
from the day of receipt of a European arrest warrant.
(3) If the Office of the Prosecutor General has simultaneously received extradition requests
from the third countries and a European arrest warrant from European Union Member States in
relation to one and the same person, the examination of such decision shall be merged in a
single proceeding, if a decision has not been taken on extradition of the person or on refusal to
extradite the person. In examining simultaneously received requests regarding the extradition
of a person, and in deciding a matter regarding which state is to be given privilege, the
seriousness of the offence, the place and time of the committing thereof, and the order of the
receipt of the requests shall be taken into account.
[11 June 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 276
Section 717. Detention and Placing under Arrest of a Person to be Extradited to a
European Union Member State
(1) The detention of a person for the purpose of extradition shall take place in accordance with
the procedures laid down in Section 699 of this Law, if there is sufficient grounds to believe
that he or she has committed a criminal offence in the territory of another state regarding which
extradition is provided for or, if a European arrest warrant has been taken regarding such person
or if a report has been posted in the international search system regarding the existence of such
decision.
(2) If circumstances are not known that exclude the admissibility of the extradition of a person,
the executor of an examination shall submit a proposal regarding the application of an
extradition arrest and a European arrest warrant to the district (city) court in the territory of
operation of which the person was detained or the Office of the Prosecutor General is located.
(3) An extradition arrest shall be applied in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Section 701 of this Law for 80 days from the day of the detention of a person taking into account
the provisions of Section 702, Paragraph four of this Law. In exceptional cases, a court may
extend such term one more time by 30 days. The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform
the competent authority of the state that took a European arrest warrant regarding the reason
for the delay in the execution of the decision.
[29 June 2008; 11 June 2009]
Section 718. Temporary Operations up to the Taking of a Decision
If a European Union Member State has taken a European arrest warrant in order to
ensure the criminal prosecution of a person, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall, before
a decision is taken on extradition or non-extradition of the person and upon request of the
competent judicial authority of the Member State, interrogate the person, with the participation
of a person chosen by the competent judicial authority of the Member State, or shall agree to
the temporary relocation of the person, determining the time of return.
Section 719. Extradition to a European Union Member State of a Person Extradited by a
Foreign Country
(1) An extradited person may be transferred further to another European Union Member State
in cases where the state, in extraditing the person, had agreed to the further extradition of such
person.
(2) If a European arrest warrant has been received in relation to a person who has been
extradited to Latvia by another state without giving consent for the further extradition of the
person, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall turn to the state that extradited the person in
order to receive consent for the further extradition of the person to a European Union Member
State.
Section 720. Decision to Extradite a Person to a European Union Member State
(1) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall take a decision on extradition or non-extradition
of a person to a foreign country. The decision to extradite a person shall not be subject to appeal,
if the person has agreed to the extradition.
(2) If a person to be extradited does not agree to the extradition, the Office of the Prosecutor
General may appeal the decision on extradition to the Supreme Court within 10 days from the
day of the receipt thereof.
(3) The Supreme Court shall examine a complaint regarding a decision of the Office of the
Prosecutor General in accordance with the procedures laid down in Sections 706 and 707 of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 277
this Law, and send the taken decision to the Office of the Prosecutor General within 20 days
from the day of the receipt of the complaint.
[29 June 2008; 11 June 2009; 19 December 2013]
Section 720.1 Consent of the Competent Authority of Latvia for Further Extradition,
Criminal Prosecution and Trial of a Person
The competent authority shall, within 20 days after receipt of a request of a European
Union Member State, decide on a consent for further extradition of an extradited person to a
European Union Member State, as well as for criminal prosecution, trial and execution of a
punishment for other offences committee before extradition.
[11 June 2009]
Section 721. Execution of a Decision to Extradite a Person to a European Union Member
State
(1) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall, without delay, send to the State Police for
execution a decision that has entered into effect to extradite a person.
(2) The execution of a decision for the extradition of a person shall take place in conformity
with the conditions provided for in Section 710, Paragraphs one and two of this Law.
(3) After taking of a decision to extradite a person, the Office of the Prosecutor General may
defer the extradition of the relevant person to a European Union Member State for the
completion of criminal proceedings commenced in Latvia or the serving of an imposed
punishment, or due to serious humanitarian reasons, if there is a justified reason for thinking
that extradition in the specific situation would clearly endanger the life or health of the person.
The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform the competent judicial authority of the
European Union Member State regarding the decision to defer extradition, and shall come to
an agreement regarding another time for the transfer of the person. Upon mutual agreement
with the Member State which takes the European arrest warrant, the Office of the Prosecutor
General may temporarily transfer the person.
(4) If a person has not been taken over within 10 days from the day when a decision to extradite
him or her was taken, or from the day regarding which an agreement was made with the
competent judicial authority of a European Union Member State, a person shall be released
from arrest.
(5) If a decision has been taken on non-extradition of a person, the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall inform the competent judicial authority of a Member State regarding such
decision.
[29 June 2008; 18 February 2016]
Section 722. Transfer of Objects to a European Union Member State
(1) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall withdraw and transfer the following objects to a
European Union Member State upon request of the Member State or upon initiative of such
Office of the Prosecutor General:
1) objects that are necessary as material evidence;
2) objects that a person to be extradited has acquired as a result of an offence.
(2) Objects that are necessary as material evidence or which a suspected person has obtained as
a result of offence shall be transferred even if a European arrest warrant may not be fulfilled
due to the death or escape of a person to be extradited.
(3) If objects are necessary for the completion of criminal proceedings commenced in Latvia, a
later transfer time may be specified for such objects. In transferring objects, the Office of the
Prosecutor General may request that such objects be returned.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 278
[11 June 2009]
Division Fifteen
Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
Chapter 67 Takeover in Latvia of Criminal Proceedings Commenced in a Foreign
Country
Section 723. Content and Condition of the Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
The takeover of criminal proceedings is the continuation in Latvia of criminal
proceedings commenced in a foreign country, upon request of the foreign country or with the
consent thereof, if such continuation is required by procedural interests and the offence is
punishable in accordance with The Criminal Law.
Section 724. Competent Authority in the Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) In the pre-trial criminal proceedings, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall examine and
decide requests regarding the takeover of criminal proceedings.
(2) In the trial of a criminal case, the Ministry of Justice shall examine and decide requests
regarding the takeover of criminal proceedings.
[12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
Section 725. Grounds for the Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) The following are grounds for the takeover of criminal proceedings:
1) a request submitted by a foreign country regarding the takeover of criminal
proceedings (hereinafter also – the request for the takeover of criminal proceedings), and the
consent of Latvia to take over such criminal proceedings;
2) a request submitted by Latvia regarding the transfer of criminal proceedings
(hereinafter also – the request for the transfer of criminal proceedings), and the consent of a
foreign country to transfer such criminal proceedings;
(2) If an offence in connection with which the takeover of criminal proceedings is being
requested (hereinafter in Chapters 67 and 68 – the offence) is not criminally punishable in
Latvia, but is punishable in accordance with other laws the submitter of the request shall
immediately be informed thereof, without taking over the criminal proceedings. The receipt of
consent is grounds for the continuation of proceedings in accordance with the procedures
provide for in Latvian law.
(3) If extradition of a person is refused on the basis of Section 697, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of
this Law, the request of taking over criminal proceedings or the request to transfer criminal
proceedings shall be executed as defined in this Chapter.
[18 February 2016]
Section 726. Reasons for the Rejection of a Request for the Takeover of Criminal
Proceedings
(1) The takeover of criminal proceedings shall not be admissible, if:
1) the offence in connection with which the takeover of criminal proceedings is being
requested is not considered criminal in accordance with The Criminal Law;
2) a limitation period of criminal liability has entered into effect, or the six months by
which a limitation period has been extended have passed, if the offence comes into the criminal-
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 279
legal jurisdiction of Latvia only in accordance with a request regarding the takeover of criminal
proceedings;
3) evidence has not been obtained that provides grounds for holding a person suspect or
accusing a person in the committing of an offence;
4) a final ruling has been made in Latvia regarding the same offence;
5) a request regarding a takeover of criminal proceedings in which a judgment of
conviction has entered into effect has been submitted by a state with which Latvia does not
have an agreement regarding mutual recognition and execution of court judgments rendered in
criminal proceedings, and, in addition, such state has the opportunity to execute an imposed
punishment itself.
(2) A request for the takeover of criminal proceedings may not be fulfilled, if:
1) such request is not sufficiently justified;
2) the person who is suspected or is accused in the committing of the offence only
resides in Latvia occasionally;
3) there are grounds to believe that the offence is political or expressly military, or the
request has been submitted in order to prosecute a person due to his or her race, religious
affiliation, nationality, gender, or political views;
4) the offence was not committed in the territory of the state that submitted the request;
5) the takeover of criminal proceedings would be in contradiction to the international
obligations of Latvia toward another state;
6) the continuation of proceedings does not comply with the principles of the judicial
system of Latvia;
7) Latvia does not have an agreement regarding the takeover of criminal proceedings
with the state of the submitter of the request.
Section 727. Terms for Examination of a Request for the Takeover of Criminal
Proceedings
(1) A request for the takeover of criminal proceedings shall be decided within 10 days, and, if
the amount of material is particularly large, such request shall be decided within 30 days.
(2) In particular cases where the translation of documents is necessary, a request for the takeover
of criminal proceedings shall be decided after receipt of the translation within the terms
provided for in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) If additional information is necessary for deciding, competent authorities shall request such
additional information from the state of the submitter of the request. After receipt of additional
information, a matter shall be decided within the terms provided for in Paragraph one of this
Section.
(4) If proceedings regarding an offence may be commenced in Latvia only on the basis of a
complaint of a victim, but such complaint has not been attached to received materials, the
competent authority shall immediately inform the victim and take a decision after receipt of the
consent or refusal of the victim. If the victim has not provided an answer within 30 days,
proceedings may be terminated.
Section 728. Deciding of a Request for the Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Having examined a request of a foreign country, necessary documents, and additional
information, if such information was requested, the competent authority shall take one of the
following decisions:
1) on takeover of criminal proceedings and the transfer thereof for the conduct of
proceedings;
2) on rejection of a request for the takeover of criminal proceedings.
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(2) The decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be immediately sent, together
with a translation thereof, to the state that submitted the request.
Section 729. Request of Latvia Regarding the Transfer of Criminal Proceedings
(1) If criminal proceedings are taking place in another country simultaneously with criminal
proceedings in Latvia regarding the same offence, competent authorities may submit to the
foreign country a request regarding the transfer of the criminal proceedings to Latvia, if such
request complies with the interests of court proceedings and promotes the course of criminal
proceedings.
(2) A request shall not be submitted if reasons exist that exclude the takeover of criminal
proceedings.
Section 730. Procedures for the Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) If prosecution has been pursued against a person in another state, and the relevant person
has been transferred to a court or convicted, the competent authority shall transfer criminal
proceedings for continuation to the Office of the Prosecutor according to the domicile, or place
of residence, in Latvia of such person.
(2) A prosecutor shall decide, within 10 days, whether evidence is sufficient for the holding of
a person criminally liable in accordance with The Criminal Law, and shall pursue prosecution
or transfer criminal proceedings for the investigation.
(3) If a prosecution has not been pursued in another state against a person, criminal proceedings
shall be transferred for the investigation.
(4) Subsequent criminal proceedings shall take place in accordance with general procedure.
[12 March 2009]
Section 731. Withdrawal of a Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall submit a reasoned proposal regarding a
withdrawal of the takeover of criminal proceedings to the same competent authority that took
a decision on the takeover of criminal proceedings, if reasons are discerned that exclude a
takeover of criminal proceedings.
(2) The competent authority shall decide within 10 days regarding a continuation of criminal
proceedings in Latvia or regarding a withdrawal of a takeover of criminal proceedings.
(3) In withdrawing consent for the takeover of criminal proceedings, the competent authority
shall inform the person directing the proceedings thereof and assign him or her to revoke all
applied compulsory measures, and to decide actions with material evidence.
(4) The competent authority shall immediately inform the state that submitted a request
regarding a withdrawal of a takeover of criminal proceedings, and shall send materials of
criminal case to such state.
(5) If a takeover of criminal proceedings has been withdrawn in accordance with the political
nature or expressly military nature of criminal proceedings, or because a person has been
prosecuted due to his or her race, religious affiliation, nationality, gender, or political views,
evidence obtained in Latvia may be not transferred to the state that submitted a request. In other
cases, evidence shall not be transferred if investigative actions are not able to be performed
upon request of a foreign country regarding assistance in criminal proceedings.
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Section 732. Temporary Arrest before the Receipt of a Request for a Takeover of
Criminal Proceedings
(1) If a foreign country notifies regarding the intention thereof to submit a request for taking
over criminal proceedings, and requests the application of temporary arrest before the receipt
thereof, the competent authority shall turn to the investigating judge with a proposal to place a
person under arrest until the matter is decided regarding the takeover of criminal proceedings,
if all of the following conditions exist:
1) the request indicates that there is a decision issued by the submitting state on
application of arrest;
2) The Criminal Law provides for a punishment of deprivation of liberty regarding the
relevant offence;
3) there are grounds to believe that the suspect or the accused will evade participation
in criminal proceedings or will hide evidence.
(2) A person placed under arrest in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph one
of this Section may be released, if:
1) a request for a takeover of criminal proceedings has not been received within 18 days
from the day of the application of detention or temporary arrest;
2) documents to be attached have not been received within 15 days from the day of the
receipt of the request;
3) a decision has not been taken on application of a security measure – arrest in the
taken-over criminal proceedings within 40 days from the day of the application of detention or
temporary arrest;
4) a decision has been taken to reject the request regarding the taking over of criminal
proceedings;
5) the takeover of criminal proceedings has been withdrawn;
6) circumstances have become known that exclude the opportunity to hold the person
under arrest.
Section 733. Temporary Arrest after Receipt of a Request for a Takeover of Criminal
Proceedings
(1) If a request regarding a takeover of criminal proceedings, and the materials attached to such
request, provide grounds to believe that the person who is suspected, or is accused, in the
committing of an offence will evade pre-trial criminal proceedings or court, or will hinder the
ascertaining of the truth in the case, the competent authority shall request the investigating judge
to apply temporary arrest.
(2) A person who has been placed under arrest in accordance with this Section may be released
from temporary arrest, if:
1) a request to takeover criminal proceedings has not been decided within 40 days from
the day of the application of detention or temporary arrest;
2) a decision has not been taken on application of a security measure – arrest in the
taken-over criminal proceedings within 40 days from the day of the application of detention or
temporary arrest;
3) a decision has been taken to reject the request regarding the taking over of criminal
proceedings;
4) the takeover of criminal proceedings has been withdrawn;
5) circumstances have become known that exclude the opportunity to hold the person
under arrest.
[12 March 2009]
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Section 734. Detention in order to Decide a Matter Regarding Temporary Arrest
(1) If the competent authority considers the application of temporary arrest as necessary, such
institution may assign the police to detain a person for a term up to 12:00 PM of the day after
the next for conveyance to the investigating judge.
(2) A police employee shall write a protocol regarding detention of a person, which shall
indicate the precise time and place of the detention, as well as reflect the explaining of the rights
of the detained person. The detaining person and the detained person, as well as an advocate, if
he or she participates, shall sign the protocol.
(3) If temporary arrest is not applied to a detained person at the time indicated in Paragraph one
of this Section, such person may be released.
Section 735. Procedures for the Application of Temporary Arrest
(1) The competent authority shall submit a proposal regarding temporary arrest and the
justifying materials thereof to an investigating judge according to the location thereof, or to the
investigating judge in the territory of operation of whom the person was detained.
(2) A judge shall decide on the application of temporary arrest in a court hearing in which a
representative of the competent authority, a prosecutor, and the person to be placed under arrest
participate.
(3) Having heard a representative of the competent authority, a prosecutor, a person to be placed
under arrest and his or her advocate, if he or she participates, a judge shall take a reasoned
decision.
(4) The competent authority shall inform the submitter of a request regarding the application of
temporary arrest and regarding release from temporary arrest.
Section 736. Rights of a Person Suspected or Accused of an Offence
(1) If a person who is suspected or accused in a foreign country regarding the committing of an
offence resides in Latvia, and such offence is under the criminal jurisdiction of Latvia only
because the foreign country requests a takeover of criminal proceedings, the competent
authority shall acquaint the relevant person, before the taking of a decision, with the received
request, and shall ascertain whether such person wishes to participate in the criminal
proceedings in the country that submitted the request. The views of the person may be taken
into account in deciding regarding the request for the takeover of criminal proceedings, but such
views are not binding.
(2) A person shall acquire the same rights at the moment of a takeover of criminal proceedings
as a suspect or accused in Latvia
Section 737. Application of Other Compulsory Measures up to a Takeover of Criminal
Proceedings
(1) From the moment of the receipt of a request for a takeover of criminal proceedings, the
competent authority may apply any procedural compulsory measure as such institution would
be permitted to use also without the receipt of a request of a foreign country, if the offence were
under the jurisdiction of Latvia.
(2) All compulsory measures may be revoked, if a decision is taken on rejection of a request
for a takeover of criminal proceedings, or if a takeover is withdrawn.
Section 738. Inclusion of Time Spent under Arrest
(1) The term of temporary arrest shall be counted form the moment of detention.
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(2) The term that a person has spent under arrest during criminal proceedings taking place in
another state shall not be included in the term of arrest in Latvia, but shall be included in the
term of a punishment.
(3) If a person is held under arrest during the takeover of criminal proceedings, the term of
arrest shall be counted from the moment of the crossing of the state border of the Republic of
Latvia.
(4) The entire term that a person has spent under temporary arrest in Latvia shall be included in
the term of a security measure.
Section 739. Limit of Criminal Liability and Punishment in Taken-over Criminal
Proceedings
(1) Only the activities that are criminal in accordance with the laws of both states shall be
incriminated to an accused.
(2) An imposed punishment shall not be larger than the punishment provided for in the law of
the state that submitted a request, if the offence is under the jurisdiction of Latvia only on the
basis of the request for a takeover of criminal proceedings.
Section 740. Duty to Inform a State that Submitted a Request
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall inform the competent authority that decided on
the request for the takeover of criminal proceedings regarding the final decision taken in the
criminal proceedings that were taken over. In taking over proceedings, such institution may
assign the person directing the proceedings to inform such institution regarding other taken
decisions, if such necessity arises from the international obligations of Latvia.
(2) The competent authority shall inform the state that submitted a request regarding a taken
final decision, as well as regarding other procedural actions, if contracts or mutual agreements
provide for such informing.
Chapter 68 Transfer of Criminal Proceedings Commenced in Latvia
Section 741. Content and Condition of a Transfer of Criminal Proceedings
(1) Transfer of criminal proceedings is the suspension thereof in Latvia and the continuation
thereof in a foreign country, if there are grounds for holding a person suspect, or prosecuting a
person, for the committing of an offence, but the successful and timely conduct of the criminal
proceedings in Latvia is not possible or hindered, and, in addition, transfer to the foreign country
promotes such impossibility or hindrance.
(2) The transfer of criminal proceedings in which a judgment of conviction has entered into
effect shall be admissible only if the judgment may not be executed in Latvia, and the foreign
country in which the convicted person resides does not accept a judgment of another country
for execution.
Section 742. Competent Authorities
(1) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall submit a request to a foreign country regarding
the transfer of criminal proceedings during pre-trial proceedings.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall submit a request to a foreign country regarding the transfer of
criminal proceeding during a trial or after entering into effect of a judgment.
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Section 743. Grounds for the Transfer of Criminal Proceedings
The following are grounds for the transfer of criminal proceedings commenced in Latvia
to a foreign country:
1) a request submitted by Latvia for taking over criminal proceedings, and the consent
of a foreign country to takeover such criminal proceedings;
2) a request submitted by a foreign country for the transfer of criminal proceedings, and
the consent of Latvia to transfer criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia for the continuation
thereof in the foreign country.
Section 744. Reasons for a Transfer of Criminal Proceedings
(1) The person directing the proceedings shall consider the matter regarding the initiation of the
transfer of criminal proceedings, if the conditions referred to in Section 741 of this Law exist,
and:
1) the suspect, accused, or convicted person is a foreigner and permanently lives or
resides in his or her state of citizenship;
2) the suspect, accused, or convicted person is located in a foreign country and his or
her extradition is not possible or has been refused;
3) criminal proceedings are being conducted in a foreign country against the same
person and regarding the same criminal offence, as well as other offences;
4) the most important evidence or the majority of witnesses are located in a foreign
country;
5) the ensuring of the presence of the accused in criminal proceedings in Latvia is not
possible;
6) it is or will not be possible to execute a punishment in Latvia.
(2) Having determined the conditions and reasons for the transfer of criminal proceedings, the
person directing the proceedings shall submit to the competent authority a proposal to send a
request for the takeover of criminal proceedings.
[18 February 2016]
Section 745. Request for a Takeover of Criminal Proceedings
(1) In addition to that which is indicated in Section 678 of this Law, a request for a takeover of
criminal proceedings shall substantiate that the conditions and reasons for a transfer of criminal
proceedings exist, and that the transfer complies with the interests of the criminal proceedings.
(2) All the procedural documents, or copies thereof, existing in a criminal case to be transferred,
as well as the text of the Sections of The Criminal Law, with a translation thereof, that determine
liability regarding the criminal offence indicated in the decision to hold a person suspect or the
holding of a person criminally liable shall be attached to a request, if such attachment is
provided for in a treaty or in the agreement of competent authorities.
(3) If a temporary arrest request has been submitted in a foreign country, a request for a takeover
of criminal proceedings shall be submitted in as short a time as possible, but not later than on
the fifteenth day after placing of a person under arrest.
(4) If a request for a takeover of criminal proceedings has been submitted without attached
materials, such materials shall be submitted in as short as time as possible, but if temporary
arrest has been applied to a person, such materials shall be submitted not later than on the
twelfth day after submission of the request.
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Section 746. Consequences of the Submission of a Request for a Takeover of Criminal
Proceedings
(1) The competent authority shall inform the competent authority of a foreign country regarding
each procedural action performed after submitting a request for a takeover of criminal
proceedings, and shall send copies of the relevant procedural documents.
(2) Latvian institutions shall not perform procedural actions in transferred criminal proceedings,
if:
1) a report of a foreign country has been received regarding a takeover of criminal
proceedings;
2) Latvia has given consent for a transfer to a foreign country of criminal proceedings
taking place in Latvia.
(3) Proceedings may be renewed in Latvia, if a report has been received:
1) regarding a retraction of a takeover;
2) that proceedings regarding an offence in a foreign country have been terminated.
Section 747. Arrest
(1) If there are grounds to believe that a person will attempt to evade criminal proceedings in
the state that received a request, the competent authority shall send a request regarding
temporary arrest up to the submission of a request for a takeover of criminal proceedings.
(2) If a security measure – arrest – has been applied to a person in Latvia, the sending of a
request for a takeover of criminal proceeding shall not be grounds for the revocation thereof. In
such case, the person directing the proceedings shall continue the necessary procedural actions
up to the receipt of an answer of the state that received the request.
(3) If criminal proceedings have been renewed after transfer thereof, the term of arrest shall
only include the term that a person spent under arrest in Latvia, and the entire term of arrest
related to such offence shall be included in the term of a punishment.
Section 748. Transfer of Criminal Proceedings against a Latvian Citizen
The transfer of criminal proceedings related to an offence in the committing of which a
Latvian citizen is suspected or prosecuted shall be admissible, if:
1) the relevant person is located outside of Latvia and the extradition thereof has been
refused or deferred for a lengthy term;
2) Latvia has a treaty with a foreign country regarding a transfer of criminal proceedings;
3) a foreign country with which a treaty regarding a transfer of criminal proceedings
does not exist has provided a sufficient guarantee that the limits of a punishment and criminal
liability specified in Section 739 of this Law will be complied with.
Division Sixteen
Recognition of Judgments of a Foreign Country and Execution of Punishments
[24 May 2012]
Chapter 69 General Provisions for the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment Imposed in
a Foreign Country
Section 749. Content of the Execution of a Punishment Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) Execution of a punishment imposed in a foreign country shall be the recognition of the
validity and legality of such punishment on an undisputed basis and execution according to the
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same procedures as in case where the punishment would have been specified in criminal
proceedings taking place in Latvia.
(2) Recognition of the validity and legality of a punishment imposed in a foreign country shall
not preclude the co-ordination thereof with the sanction provided for in The Criminal Law for
the same offence.
Section 750. Conditions for the Execution of a Punishment Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) Execution of a punishment imposed in a foreign country shall be possible if:
1) the foreign country has submitted a request regarding the execution of the punishment
imposed therein;
2) the punishment in the foreign country has been specified by a valid ruling in
terminated criminal proceedings;
3) the limitation period has not set it for the execution of the punishment in the foreign
country or Latvia;
4) the person convicted in the foreign country is a Latvian citizen or his or her permanent
place of residence is in Latvia, or he or she is serving a punishment related to deprivation of
liberty in Latvia and has been convicted with deprivation of liberty or arrest in a foreign country,
which could be executed right after serving of the punishment imposed in Latvia;
5) the foreign country would not be able to execute the punishment, even by requesting
extradition of the person;
6) execution of the punishment of Latvia would promote resocialization of the person
convicted in the foreign country.
(2) Execution of a fine or confiscation of property applied in a foreign country shall be possible
also if the person convicted in the foreign country owns a property or has other income in
Latvia.
Section 751. Reasons for Refusal of the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment Imposed in
a Foreign Country
A request regarding the execution of a punishment imposed in a foreign country may be
refused if:
1) there is a reason to believe that the punishment has been imposed because of race,
religious affiliation, nationality, gender or political views of the person, or if the offence may
be deemed political or military;
2) execution of the punishment would be in contradiction with international
commitments of Latvia to another state;
3) execution of the punishment may harm the sovereignty, security, public order or other
essential interests of the State of Latvia;
4) a person convicted in a foreign country for the same offence could not be punished
in accordance with The Criminal Law;
5) execution of the punishment would be in contradiction with the basic principles of
the legal system of Latvia;
6) criminal proceedings regarding the same offence, for which a punishment has been
imposed in a foreign country, are taking place in Latvia;
7) execution of the punishment in Latvia is not possible;
8) the offence has not been committed in the foreign country, which imposed the
punishment to be executed;
9) expenditure for execution of the punishment are not commensurate with the
seriousness of and harm caused by the criminal offence;
10) the foreign country itself is able to execute the judgment;
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11) Latvia does not have a contract with the foreign country regarding the execution of
punishments imposed in another country.
Section 752. Time Limitations for Execution of a Punishment
(1) Execution of a punishment imposed in a foreign country shall be limited by both the time
limitations for the execution of a punishment provided for in The Criminal Law and the time
limitations for the execution of a punishment provided for in laws of the relevant foreign
country.
(2) Circumstances affecting the running of limitation periods in a foreign country shall also
affect it to the same extent in Latvia.
Section 753. Inadmissibility of Double Trial
A punishment imposed in a foreign country shall not be executed in Latvia, if a person
convicted in the foreign country has served a punishment imposed in Latvia or a third country
for the same offence, has been convicted without determination of a punishment, has been
released by amnesty or clemency or has been acquitted for the same offence.
Section 754. Procedures for Examination of a Request Regarding Execution of a
Punishment Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) Having received a request of a foreign country regarding the execution of a punishment
imposed therein, the Ministry of Justice shall, within 10 days, but if the amount of materials is
particularly large within 30 days, verify whether all the necessary materials have been received.
(2) If translation of documents is necessary, verification of a request of a foreign country shall
take place within the time periods referred to in Paragraph one of this Section after receipt of
translation.
(3) If several requests of foreign countries regarding the execution of a punishment imposed in
such foreign countries in relation to the same person or property have been received
concurrently, the Ministry of Justice shall combine the verification of such requests in one
process.
(4) Upon a request verification materials shall be sent to a district (city) court for taking of a
decision to recognise the judgment of a foreign country and execution of a punishment in
Latvia. The request shall be examined by a judge according to the place of residence of a
convicted person in a foreign country. If the place of residence of the person is unknown, the
request of the foreign country shall be examined by a judge of a district (city) court according
to the location of the Ministry of Justice.
(5) If information provided by the foreign country is insufficient, the Ministry of Justice or a
court with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice may request additional information or
documents, specifying a deadline for the submission thereof.
Section 755. Examination of a Request Regarding Execution of a Punishment Imposed in
a Foreign State in the Absence of a Person (in absentia)
(1) If a judgment has been rendered in a foreign state, except a European Union Member State,
in the absence of a person (in absentia) and Latvia has a contract with the foreign state regarding
the execution of a punishment imposed in the absence of a person (in absentia), prior to taking
a decision to recognise a judgment of a foreign state and execution of a punishment in Latvia a
court shall issue a notification to the person convicted in the relevant foreign state, indicating
that:
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1) the request regarding the execution of a punishment has been submitted by a foreign
state, with which Latvia has a contract regarding the execution of a punishment imposed in the
absence of a person (in absentia);
2) the person convicted in the foreign state has the right, within 30 days from the day of
receipt of the notification, to submit an application regarding examination in his or her presence
in the relevant foreign state or Latvia of the case tried in his or her absence (in absentia);
3) the punishment will be conformed and executed in accordance with general
procedure, if examination of the case in the presence of the person convicted in the foreign
country or Latvia is not requested within 30 days or if the application is rejected due to non-
arrival of the person.
(2) The person shall submit the application provided for in Paragraph one of this Section to a
court. If the state of examination has not been indicated in the application, it shall be examined
in Latvia.
(3) The Ministry of Justice shall send a copy of the notification to the relevant country with a
note regarding issuance of the notification to the person convicted in the foreign country.
Section 756. Submission of an Application of a Person Convicted in a Foreign State in his
or her Absence (in absentia) to the Relevant Foreign State
(1) If a person convicted in a foreign state in his or her absence (in absentia) submits an
application within the specified deadline, requesting re-examination of the case in his or her
presence in the foreign state, which imposed the punishment, a court shall postpone
examination of the request of such state regarding execution of a punishment.
(2) If the application referred to in Paragraph one of this Section has been cancelled, recognised
invalid or unacceptable, a court shall, after receipt of information, examine a request regarding
execution of a punishment imposed in the relevant foreign country according to the same
procedures as if the case was examined in the presence of the person.
(3) If as a result of examining the application a judgment of conviction is repealed, a court with
the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall send the request of the foreign country
regarding execution of a punishment undecided to the requesting country.
(4) If the person convicted in a foreign state in his or her absence (in absentia) is under
temporary arrest upon request of the foreign state, such person shall be transferred to the
relevant foreign state for examination of an application in his or her presence. In such case the
state which imposed the punishment shall decide on the matter of further holding under arrest
of such person.
(5) If the person convicted in a foreign state in his or her absence (in absentia) who has
submitted an application to the state which imposed the punishment has been placed under
arrest due to other criminal proceedings or is serving a punishment for other offence, a court
with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall inform the foreign state thereof and
assign the State Police to co-ordinate the time when the person may be transferred to the
relevant foreign state for participation in examination of the application.
(6) If the law of the foreign state allows it, the person convicted in such foreign state in his or
her absence (in absentia) may participate in examination of the application, using technical
means. Participation, using technical means, shall not affect the procedural rights of the person
convicted in the foreign country in the process taking place in such foreign country. If the person
has invited an advocate of the foreign country for receipt of legal assistance, the advocate has
the right to meet with the person in confidential conditions in Latvia and to participate in
examination of the application, using technical means, together with the client.
(7) Invitation of an advocate of the foreign state shall not affect the right of the person convicted
in such foreign state in his or her absence (in absentia) to legal assistance in Latvia.
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Section 757. Submission of an Application of a Person Convicted in a Foreign State in his
or her Absence (in absentia) to Latvia and Procedures for Examination
Thereof
(1) If a person convicted in a foreign state in his or her absence (in absentia) requests
examination of an application in a court of Latvia, the Ministry of Justice shall, without delay
after receipt of information from the court, inform the relevant foreign state thereof.
(2) A summons to a court in a foreign state shall be issued to the person convicted in the foreign
state in his or her absence (in absentia) not more than 21 days prior to the day of examination
of the application, unless such person has expressed an explicit consent for the application of a
shorter period of time.
(3) As a result of examination a court shall take one of the following decisions:
1) on rejection of the application due to non-arrival of the person and recognition of the
judgment of the foreign country and execution of the punishment in Latvia;
2) on allowing the application of the person convicted in the foreign state in his or her
absence (in absentia).
(4) Having taken the decision referred to in Paragraph three, Clause 2 of this Section, a court
shall send it to the Ministry of Justice, which shall request the foreign country to send the
necessary materials related to trial of the offence at the disposal of the foreign country,
specifying the deadline by which materials should be sent. Having received the materials of the
foreign country, the Ministry of Justice shall ensure their translation and assess them in
accordance with the conditions and procedures referred to in Chapter 67 of this Law. If the
person is placed under temporary arrest, the procedural time periods referred to in Section 732
of this Law shall be applied.
(5) The evidence obtained in accordance with the procedures laid down in the foreign country
shall be assessed in the same way as the evidence obtained in Latvia.
Section 758. Procedures for Examination of a Request Regarding Execution of a
Punishment (ordonnance penale) Determined in a Foreign State According
to Extrajudicial Procedures
(1) In the cases provided for in international agreements the punishment specified in a foreign
country in accordance with extrajudicial procedures shall be executed according to the same
procedures as the punishment imposed as a result of trial.
(2) Having received a request regarding the execution in Latvia of the punishment determined
in accordance with extrajudicial procedures, a court shall issue a notification to the person upon
whom a punishment in a foreign country has been determined, indicating therein:
1) the request regarding the execution of a punishment imposed in a foreign country has
been submitted by the foreign country, with which Latvia has a contract regarding the execution
of the punishment determined in other country in accordance with extrajudicial procedures;
2) within 30 days, the person may request examination of the case in a court in a foreign
country or Latvia by submitting an application to the competent authority of Latvia;
3) the punishment will be conformed to and executed in accordance with general
procedure, if examination of the case in the presence of the person is not requested within
30 days or the application is rejected due to non-arrival of the person.
(3) An application for execution of the punishment determined in accordance with extrajudicial
procedures shall have the same consequences and subsequent procedures for examination shall
be the same as for an application if the punishment has been imposed in the absence of the
person convicted in a foreign state (in absentia).
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Section 759. Recognition and Execution of a Punishment Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) A judge of a district (city) court shall, within 30 days, examine a request of a foreign country
regarding execution of a punishment imposed in the foreign country in a written procedure and,
after evaluating the conditions and reasons for refusal, take one of the following decisions:
1) on consent to recognise the judgment and execute the punishment imposed in the
foreign country;
2) on refusal to recognise the judgment and execute the punishment imposed in the
foreign country.
(2) If a ruling of a foreign country applies to two or more offences, not all of which are offences,
for which execution of the punishment is possible in Latvia, a judge shall request to specify
more precisely, which part of the punishment applies to offences conforming to such
requirements.
(3) The decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall not be subject to appeal, and
a judge shall notify the decision taken to the person convicted in the foreign country and with
the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice – to the foreign country and the person convicted
therein, if he or she is in the foreign country.
Section 760. Determination of a Punishment to be Executed in Latvia
(1) After taking of the decision referred to in Section 759, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law
a judge shall determine a punishment to be executed in Latvia in a written procedure, if a person
convicted in a foreign country and a prosecutor does not object thereto.
(2) The factual circumstances established in a court ruling of a foreign country and the guilt of
a person shall be binding to a court of Latvia.
(3) The punishment determined in Latvia shall not deteriorate the condition of a person
convicted in a foreign country, however, it shall conform to the punishment determined in the
relevant foreign country as much as possible.
(4) Concurrently with a notification regarding the decision referred to in Section 759, Paragraph
one, Clause 1 of this Law a judge shall inform a person convicted in a foreign country and a
prosecutor regarding the right, within 10 days from the day of receipt of the notification, to
submit objections against the determination of the punishment to be executed in Latvia in a
written procedure, to submit recusation for a judge, to submit an opinion on the punishment to
be executed in Latvia, as well as on the day of availability of the decision.
(5) If a person convicted in a foreign country is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty
in the country that submitted the request, the relevant person shall be informed regarding the
right referred to in Paragraph four of this Section immediately after transfer thereof to Latvia.
(6) If a person convicted in a foreign country or a prosecutor has submitted objections against
the determination of the punishment to be executed in Latvia in a written procedure, a judge
shall take a decision in accordance with the procedures of Section 651 of this Law. If a person
convicted in a foreign country is under arrest in the foreign country or is serving a punishment
of deprivation of liberty in the relevant foreign country, and an issue on determination of the
punishment to be executed in Latvia, which is not related to deprivation of liberty, is being
decided, technical means shall be used for ensuring of the participation or temporary transfer
of the person to Latvia shall be requested.
(7) A person convicted in a foreign country or a prosecutor may appeal a decision of a judge on
determination of the punishment to be executed in Latvia to the Supreme Court within 10 days
from the day of availability of the decision.
(8) A complaint shall be examined according to the same procedures as a cassation complaint
or protest submitted in criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia, and in such extent as
allowed by the international agreements binding to Latvia and this Chapter.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 291
(9) If a decision of a judge on determination of the punishment to be executed in Latvia has not
been appealed within the time period specified in Law or a decision has been appealed and the
Supreme Court has left it in effect, the decision shall be executed in accordance with the
procedures referred to in Section 634 of this Law. The request of a foreign country shall be
attached to the decision.
[19 December 2013]
Section 761. Conformity with a Foreign Country Judgment in Criminal Proceedings
Taking Place in Latvia
(1) In determining a punishment in criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia to a person, in
relation to whom a foreign country has requested to execute the punishment in Latvia, the
punishment to be executed in Latvia shall be added to the punishment imposed in the foreign
country according to the norms of The Criminal Law regarding determination of a punishment
after several rulings.
(2) When classifying offences according to The Criminal Law, an offence, for which the
punishment imposed in the foreign country is being executed, shall have the same significance
as an offence examined in criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia.
Section 762. Legal Consequences Caused by the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment
Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) Execution of a punishment, which has been imposed in a foreign country, determined for
execution in Latvia shall take place according to the same procedures as execution of the
punishment imposed in criminal proceedings that have taken place in Latvia.
(2) Clemency and amnesty acts adopted in Latvia and conditions of early conditional release,
as well as decisions of the relevant foreign country on reduction of the punishment, amnesty or
clemency shall apply to a person.
(3) Only the state in which the judgment was rendered has the right to re-examine the judgment.
(4) Execution of a punishment shall be discontinued and a request of a foreign country regarding
the execution of a punishment shall be cancelled by a decision taken in the relevant foreign
country on revocation of a judgment of conviction.
(5) A notification of a foreign country on the legal facts provided for in Paragraphs two and
four of this Section shall be received and its execution shall be organised by the Ministry of
Justice. If a decision of a foreign country contains an unequivocal information regarding
immediate termination of the execution of a punishment or the final date, it shall be transferred
to the institution executing the punishment and in other cases – for examination in a court,
which shall take a decision on matters related to execution of the judgment.
(6) A person who is serving a punishment related to deprivation of liberty shall be released
without delay as soon as information regarding revocation of the judgment of conviction is
received, if concurrently a request of a foreign country for application of temporary arrest has
not been received in the cases provided for in this Section.
Section 763. Notifications of the Ministry of Justice to a Foreign Country
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall notify a foreign country that a request thereof regarding the
execution of a punishment applied in the foreign country has been forwarded to a district (city)
court.
(2) After receipt of a notification of a court the Ministry of Justice shall notify the relevant
foreign country regarding:
1) a decision to recognise the judgment and to execute the punishment imposed in the
foreign country;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 292
2) a refusal to recognise the judgment and to execute the punishment imposed in the
foreign country;
3) a decision to determine the punishment to be executed in Latvia;
4) an amnesty and clemency decision;
5) completion of execution of the punishment;
6) if the foreign country has requested a special report.
(3) In relation to a ruling made in the foreign country, by which the punishment of deprivation
of liberty has been imposed, the Ministry of Justice shall, in addition to the notifications referred
to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, also inform the relevant foreign country regarding:
1) the beginning and the end of the early conditional release term, if the state that
rendered the judgment has requested it;
2) regarding the escape of the convicted person from prison.
(4) In relation to a ruling made in the foreign country, by which a fine has been imposed, the
Ministry of Justice shall, in addition to the notifications referred to in Paragraphs one and two
of this Section, also inform the relevant foreign country regarding:
1) substitution of the fine;
2) inability to execute the ruling.
(5) In relation to a ruling made in the foreign country, by which confiscation of property has
been applied, the Ministry of Justice shall, in addition to the notifications referred to in
Paragraphs one and two of this Section, also inform the relevant foreign country regarding:
1) a decision on impossibility of execution of the confiscation of property;
2) a decision on complete or partial non-execution of the confiscation of property.
(6) In relation to a ruling made in the foreign country, by which an alternative sanction has been
applied, the Ministry of Justice shall, in addition to the notifications referred to in Paragraphs
one and two of this Section, also inform the relevant European Union Member State regarding
determination of an alternative sanction, if it does not conform to the alternative sanction
specified in the relevant European Union Member State.
Chapter 70 Execution in Latvia of a Punishment Related to the Deprivation of Liberty
Imposed in a Foreign Country
Section 764. Grounds for the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment Related to the
Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) The grounds for the execution in Latvia of a punishment related to the deprivation of liberty
imposed in a foreign country (hereinafter – the punishment of deprivation of liberty) shall be
as follows:
1) a request of the Ministry of Justice to transfer the execution of a punishment of
deprivation of liberty to Latvia and the consent of the foreign country for such transfer;
2) a request of the foreign country to take over the punishment of deprivation of liberty
imposed in the foreign country and the consent of the Ministry of Justice for such takeover.
(2) The provisions of this Chapter shall be applicable regardless of whether the person convicted
in the foreign country is in the foreign country or in Latvia.
Section 765. Verification of the Possibility to Execute in Latvia a Punishment of
Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in a Foreign Country
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall, in conformity with the procedures laid down in Section 754
of this Law, perform the activities provided for in this Chapter, if information or request of a
foreign country has been received, or upon its own initiative.
(2) If a request of a person convicted in a foreign country or his or her representative has been
received, the Ministry of Justice shall verify the request within 20 days, if necessary, requesting
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 293
additional information with the purpose of evaluating the possibility of submitting a request to
the relevant foreign country for the execution in Latvia of a punishment of deprivation of liberty
imposed in the foreign country.
Section 766. Conditions for the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment of Deprivation of
Liberty Imposed in a Foreign Country
In addition to the conditions referred to in Section 750 of this Law the execution in
Latvia of a punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in a foreign country shall be possible,
if at the time of receipt of the request the person convicted in the relevant foreign country has
at least six months remaining until the end of serving the punishment of deprivation of liberty.
As an exception the person may be taken over for serving the punishment also if the time period
of serving the punishment is less than six months.
Section 767. Consent of a Person Convicted in a Foreign Country for his or her Takeover
for Serving the Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty in Latvia
(1) A person convicted in a foreign country who is serving the punishment of deprivation of
liberty in the foreign country may be taken over for serving the punishment in Latvia, if the
person agrees thereto.
(2) A person convicted in a foreign country may be taken over for serving of the punishment in
Latvia without a consent of the relevant person if:
1) the person is in Latvia;
2) the person has escaped from serving the punishment in the foreign country and has
entered Latvia and the relevant foreign country has requested to ensure the serving of the
punishment in Latvia;
3) the judgment or administrative decision contains an order regarding removal or
deportation of the person from the foreign country after release of the relevant person from
prison;
4) there are grounds to believe that, taking into account the age or physical or mental
state of the person, taking over for serving the punishment is necessary, and if the representative
of the person convicted in the foreign country agrees thereto.
(3) A person convicted in a foreign country subjected to removal or deportation shall be taken
over without a consent of the person, if an opinion of the relevant person on transfer thereof, a
copy of the removal or deportation order has been attached to the request of the foreign country
and other conditions of Section 766 of this Law exist.
Section 768. Takeover of a Person Convicted in a Foreign Country
(1) Having taken the decision referred to in Section 759, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law
and received a consent of the foreign country to transfer the person convicted in the foreign
country for serving of the punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia, a court shall assign
the State Police to take over the person, co-ordinating with the relevant foreign country. After
delivery of the person convicted in the foreign country to Latvia a court shall be notified thereof
without delay, and the person shall be placed in investigation prison until a decision to
determine the punishment to be executed in Latvia is taken.
(2) The person convicted in the foreign country who is requested by the foreign country to be
applied a compulsory measure of a medical nature shall be taken over after a decision is taken
on determination of compulsory measure of a medical nature in accordance with Section 769,
Paragraph five of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 294
Section 769. Determination of the Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty to be Executed
in Latvia
(1) The punishment of deprivation of liberty to be executed in Latvia shall be determined in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 760 of this Law.
(2) If the type and level of punishment specified in a court of the foreign country does not
conform to the punishment specified in The Criminal Law for the same offence, a court shall
amend it according to the punishment, which is provided for in The Criminal Law for the same
criminal offence, complying with the following conditions:
1) the type and level of the punishment shall not exceed the maximum punishment
specified in The Criminal Law for the same offence;
2) the type and level of the punishment shall conform as much as possible to that
specified in the judgment;
3) the minimum limit of the punishment specified in The Criminal Law is not of
significance.
(3) A court decision to determine the punishment of deprivation of liberty to be executed in
Latvia shall determine:
1) the continuation of serving the punishment and the punishment to be served;
2) the inclusion of the time spent under arrest and in prison, which has not been taken
into account in the judgment of the foreign country;
3) the part of additional punishment to be executed, if The Criminal Law does not
provide for such additional punishment.
(4) The punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in a foreign country shall not be
substituted with a fine.
(5) If a person has not been punished with a criminal punishment in a foreign country due to
mental disorders or mental disability, however, he or she has been applied other measures
related to deprivation of liberty, a court shall decide on determination of compulsory measures
of a medical nature to such person, complying with that specified in Section 603, Paragraph
one of this Law.
Section 770. Detaining of a Person Convicted in a Foreign Country
(1) The Ministry of Justice may assign the police to detain a person convicted in a foreign
country, for a time period up to 72 hours, who has been convicted of such offence, for which
arrest within the scope of proceedings taking place in Latvia would be admissible if:
1) the foreign country notifies regarding the intent thereof to request execution of the
punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed therein and requests to arrest the person due to
his or her evasion of the punishment;
2) the Ministry of Justice foresees that the person convicted in the foreign country,
regarding whom the foreign country has submitted a request regarding the execution of the
punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed therein, will evade the participation in a court
hearing regarding determination of the punishment to be executed in Latvia;
3) the Ministry of Justice is of opinion that the person convicted in absence (in absentia)
will hinder the criminal proceedings while being free;
4) the foreign country requests to execute the punishment of deprivation of liberty
imposed therein and to arrest the person due to his or her evasion of the punishment.
(2) The detained person shall be released, if temporary arrest has not been applied thereto within
the time period referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) If a person has been detained in the case referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this
Section, the Ministry of Justice shall, without delay, inform the foreign country thereof and
request to send a request regarding the execution of the punishment of deprivation of liberty
imposed therein within 18 days after the day when the person was detained.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 295
Section 771. Temporary Arrest of a Person Convicted in a Foreign Country
(1) If a person has been detained in the cases determined in Section 770 of this Law, the
Ministry of Justice shall submit a proposal to the investigating judge to apply temporary arrest.
(2) A judge shall examine a proposal regarding application of temporary arrest in accordance
with the procedures laid down in Section 735 of this Law. Temporary arrest shall not exceed
one year from the time of detaining.
(3) Temporary arrest may also be applied by the judge who examines a request regarding the
execution of the punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in a foreign country, if there are
grounds to believe that the person convicted therein will evade the court.
(4) A person shall be released from temporary arrest if:
1) the foreign country has not submitted a request regarding the execution of the
punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed therein together with the necessary annexes
within 18 days from the day of detaining;
2) a court has established that execution of the punishment in Latvia is not possible;
3) a court, in determining the punishment to be executed in Latvia, has not applied arrest
as the security measure;
4) conditions, which preclude holding of the person under arrest, have been established.
Section 772. Application of a Security Measure
In determining the punishment to be executed in Latvia, a court may, until the time when
a decision enters into effect and an order regarding the execution of the punishment is issued,
apply any security measure according to the same procedures as in criminal proceedings taking
place in Latvia.
Section 773. Legal Consequences of Taking over a Person Subjected to Removal
(1) A person subjected to removal who has been taken over for serving of the punishment in
Latvia without his or her consent shall not be held criminally liable, tried or transferred to
serving the punishment for other offences committed before taking over of the person, except
such offences, regarding which the judgment to be executed has been rendered.
(2) The conditions of Paragraph one of this Section shall not apply to cases when:
1) a permit of the foreign country, which imposed the punishment, for criminal
prosecution, trial or execution of the punishment has been received;
2) the person has not left Latvia within 45 days after release;
3) the person has left Latvia and returned again.
Chapter 71 Execution in Latvia of a Ruling Made in a European Union Member State,
by which a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty has been Imposed
Section 774. Grounds for the Execution of a Ruling Made in a European Union Member
State, by which a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty has been Imposed
The grounds for recognition and execution of a ruling made in a European Union
Member State, by which a punishment of deprivation of liberty has been imposed, (hereinafter –
the ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty) is a ruling of the competent authority of
the European Union Member State, which has entered into effect, on the punishment of
deprivation of liberty and a certification of a special form, as well as decision of a court of
Latvia on the recognition and execution of a ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 296
Section 775. Conditions for the Execution of a Ruling on the Punishment of Deprivation
of Liberty Made in a European Union Member State
(1) A ruling made in a European Union Member State on the punishment of deprivation of
liberty may be executed in Latvia to any person regardless of his or her legal status in Latvia,
if Latvia agrees thereto.
(2) A consent of Latvia shall not be necessary if:
1) a person convicted in the European Union Member State is a Latvian citizen and
resides in Latvia;
2) a person convicted in the European Union Member State is a Latvian citizen and the
judgment or administrative decision contains an order regarding his or her removal or
deportation to Latvia.
(3) The punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed on a person convicted in the European
Union Member State may be executed only with a consent of the person, except cases where:
1) the person is a Latvian citizen and resides in Latvia;
2) the judgment or administrative decision contains an order regarding removal or
deportation of the person to Latvia;
3) the person has fled to Latvia or returned to Latvia because criminal proceedings have
been initiated or a judgment of conviction has been rendered in relation to the person.
(4) If extradition of a person is refused on the basis of Section 714, Paragraph five, Clause 4 of
this Law, the punishment shall be executed as defined in this Chapter.
[18 February 2016]
Section 776. Reasons for Refusal of Recognition and Execution of a Ruling on the
Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty Rendered in a European Union
Member State
(1) Recognition and execution of a ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty may be
refused if:
1) a certification of a special form has not been sent or it is incomplete or does not
conform to the content of the ruling, to which it has been attached;
2) the conditions referred to in Section 775 of this Law have not been complied with;
3) in executing the punishment, the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne
bis in idem) will be violated;
4) the person convicted in a European Union Member State could not be punished for
the same offence according to The Criminal Law;
5) a limitation period for execution of the punishment has set in;
6) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law exists;
7) the person convicted in a European Union Member State has not reached the age,
from which criminal liability sets in;
8) at the time of receipt of the request the person convicted in a European Union Member
State has less than six months remaining until the end of serving of the punishment;
9) prior to taking of a decision on the recognition and execution of a ruling on the
punishment of deprivation of liberty, Latvia has requested, in accordance with the procedures
referred to in Section 782, Paragraph three of this Law, the European Union Member State to
provide a consent to the criminal prosecution, trial or execution of the punishment of the person
convicted in the state for a criminal offence in Latvia, which has been committed before the
transfer of such person and which is not the offence, in relation to which the person will be
transferred, however, the European Union Member State has not provided a consent;
10) the punishment contains a measure related to psychiatric or health care or other
measure related to deprivation of liberty, which cannot be executed in Latvia;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 297
11) it is not possible to execute the punishment because the person convicted in a
European Union Member State is not in Latvia.
(2) Recognition and execution of a judgment regarding the punishment of deprivation of liberty
may be refused also if it has been taken in the absence of the person (in absentia), except cases
when the relevant person:
1) had received summons or had been otherwise informed that the ruling may be made
without his or her presence;
2) has been informed of the proceedings and his or her defence counsel has participated
in a court hearing;
3) has received the ruling and informed that he or she does not dispute or has not
appealed the ruling.
Section 777. Provision of an Opinion of Latvia Prior to Receipt of a Ruling and
Certification of a Special Form
(1) Having received information of a European Union Member State regarding a wish to request
that Latvia agrees to the execution of a ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty in
Latvia, the Ministry of Justice shall check whether the person convicted in the relevant
European Union Member State has a permanent place of residence in Latvia, family, social or
professional, or other ties to Latvia, which will promote the resocialization of such person. If
necessary, the Ministry of Justice may assign the State Police to perform such check.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall send the prepared opinion to the European Union Member
State.
(3) In cases, which are not referred to in Section 775, Paragraph two of this Law, the Ministry
of Justice shall take a decision on agreement or non-agreement to forwarding of the ruling and
certification of a special form to Latvia.
Section 778. Procedures for Examination of a Ruling of a European Union Member State
and Certification of a Special Form
Having received a ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty and a certification
of a special form, the Ministry of Justice shall examine them in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Section 754 of this Law and shall send the materials to a court, notifying the
European Union Member State thereof.
Section 779. Recognition and Execution of a Ruling on the Punishment of Deprivation of
Liberty Rendered in a European Union Member State
(1) A judge of a district (city) court shall take a decision on recognition and execution of a
ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty in accordance with the procedures referred
to in Section 759 of this Law and the punishment to be executed in Latvia shall be determined
in accordance with the procedures referred to in Section 760 of this Law.
(2) A court may suspend taking of a decision on the recognition and execution of a ruling on
the punishment of deprivation of liberty if the certification of a special form is incomplete or
does not conform to the judgment, and to specify a time period, by which the certification
should be updated by the European Union Member State. A court may suspend taking of a
decision on recognition and execution of a ruling on the punishment of deprivation of liberty
also in the case referred to in Section 742 of this Law, if it is necessary to request a consent of
the European Union Member State.
(3) Takeover of a person convicted in the European Union Member State shall take place in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 768 of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 298
Section 780. Detention of a Person Convicted in a European Union Member State,
Application of Temporary Arrest and Security Measure
If a person convicted in a European Union Member State is in Latvia, such person shall
be detained, temporary arrest and security measure shall be applied thereto in accordance with
the procedures and within the time period specified in Sections 770, 771 and 772 of this Law.
Section 781. Legal Consequences Caused by the Execution in Latvia of a Punishment of
Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in a European Union Member State
Execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in a European Union
Member State shall take place in accordance with that referred to in Section 762 of this Law.
Section 782. Frameworks for Criminal Liability of a Person Taken over from a European
Union Member State and Execution of a Punishment
(1) A person convicted in a European Union Member State who has been taken over for serving
of the punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia may not be held criminally liable, tried, or
punishment for a criminal offence, which has been committed prior to transfer of such person
and which is not an offence, in relation to which such person was transferred, may not be
executed in relation to such person.
(2) Paragraph one of this Section shall not be applied if:
1) the person has not left Latvia within 45 days after release although he or she had such
opportunity, or has returned to Latvia after leaving it;
2) a punishment of deprivation of liberty is not provided for such offence;
3) the criminal proceedings do not provide for application of measures, which restrict
the freedom of the person;
4) the person could be imposed a punishment or measure, which is not related to
deprivation of liberty;
5) a consent of the person for transfer has been received;
6) after transfer the person has refused the right to apply the provisions of Paragraph
one of this Section;
7) a consent of the European Union Member State, which imposed the punishment of
deprivation of liberty, for criminal prosecution, trial or execution of the punishment has been
received.
(3) The consent referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 7 of this Section shall be requested
according to the same procedures as extradition to a European Union Member State.
Chapter 72 Execution in Latvia of a Fine Imposed in a Foreign Country
Section 783. Principles for the Assessment of a Request of a Foreign Country Regarding
Execution of a Fine Imposed
The procedures referred to in Chapter 69 of this Law shall be applied to the evaluation,
recognition and execution of a request of a foreign country regarding the execution of a fine
imposed, if it has not been specified otherwise in this Chapter.
Section 784. Determination of a Fine to be Executed in Latvia
(1) A court shall determine a fine to be executed in Latvia, if a fine has been imposed in a
foreign country and The Criminal Law also provides for a fine or a more severe punishment as
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a basic punishment regarding the same offence, or also if a fine is provided for as an additional
punishment.
(2) The amount of a fine imposed in a foreign state shall be calculated in euros on the basis of
the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect on the day of the
pronouncement of the judgment of conviction.
(3) A fine to be executed in Latvia shall not exceed the maximum limit of a fine provided for
in The Criminal Law regarding such offence, except the case where only a more severe type of
punishment is provided for in Latvia regarding such offence. In such case, the fine to be
executed in Latvia shall not exceed the maximum limit of a fine provided for in The Criminal
Law at the time of taking of the decision.
(4) A court may divide the payment of a fine to be executed in Latvia into terms or defer such
payment for a term that is not longer than one year from the day when the decision enters into
effect. The division into terms, or deferral, of payment specified in a foreign country shall be
binding to a court of Latvia, however, a court may additionally specify exemptions on
execution, without exceeding the limits specified in this Paragraph.
(5) If a fine to be executed in Latvia is not paid within 30 days, such fine may be substituted
with a punishment that is related to deprivation of liberty, if such substitution is allowed in the
laws of the foreign country that rendered the judgment. In such case, the substitution of a
punishment shall take place in accordance with the procedures provided for in the laws of
Latvia.
(6) The substitution of a fine shall not be allowed if the foreign country, in submitting a request
regarding execution of the punishment, has specially justified such non-substitution. In such
case a court, with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice, shall inform the foreign country
regarding inability to execute the request regarding the execution of the punishment and shall
request to revoke the request.
[12 September 2013]
Chapter 73 Execution of the Ruling Made in a European Union Member State on the
Recovery of a Financial Nature in Latvia
Section 785. Grounds for the Execution of the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature
(1) The grounds for the execution of the ruling made in a European Union Member State on a
fine (for legal persons – recovery of money), the compensation specified in the same ruling to
the victim, the reimbursement of procedural expenditure and the payment to a foundation or
organisation for the support of victims (hereinafter – the ruling on the recovery of a financial
nature) shall be:
1) the ruling of the competent authority of a European Union Member State on the
recovery of a financial nature or a certified copy thereof and a certification of a special form;
2) a fact that a person, to whom recovery of a financial nature applies to, has a place of
residence in Latvia (to a legal person – a registered legal address) or he or she owns property
or has other income;
3) a ruling of the court of Latvia on the determination of recovery of a financial nature
to be executed in Latvia;
4) a writ of execution issued by the court of Latvia regarding the transfer of the ruling
on the recovery of a financial nature for execution in Latvia.
(2) The court shall send a writ of execution regarding transfer of the ruling on the recovery of
a financial nature for execution (the recovery of money from legal persons, the compensation
to the victim, the reimbursement of procedural expenditure and the payment to a foundation or
organisation for the support of victims), specifying there the information referred to in
Section 634.1, Paragraph three of this Law, to a sworn bailiff for execution.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 300
[22 June 2017]
Section 786. Reasons for the Refusal to Execute the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature
(1) Execution of the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature may be refused, if:
1) a certification of a special form has not been sent or it is incomplete, or does not
conform to the content of the ruling;
2) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) will be violated
when executing the judgment regarding recovery of a financial nature;
3) there are grounds to believe that the punishment has been determined on the basis of
the race, religious affiliation, nationality, sex or political views;
4) the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature applies to an offence that is not
considered an offence according to the laws of Latvia;
5) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law exists;
6) the execution of punishment is not possible in Latvia;
7) the limitation period has set it for execution of the punishment and the ruling on the
recovery of a financial nature pertains to an offence that is in the jurisdiction of Latvia;
8) the person convicted in a European Union Member State has not reached the age from
which criminal liability applies;
9) the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature has been made in a written procedure
and the person convicted in a European Union Member State has not been informed in person
or with the intermediation of a representative regarding the right to appeal the ruling in
accordance with the procedures laid down in legal acts of the issuing state thereof;
10) the determined recovery of a financial nature does not exceed 70 euros (if necessary,
recalculating according to the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect
on the date when the judgment was proclaimed).
(2) Execution of a judgment regarding recovery of a financial nature may also be refused, if it
has been taken in the absence of the person convicted in a European Union Member State (in
absentia) or without the participation of the person, except cases where he or she:
1) had received summons or had been otherwise informed that the ruling may be made
without his or her presence;
2) has been informed of the proceedings and his or her defence counsel has participated
in a court hearing;
3) had received the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature and informed that he or
she does not dispute the ruling or has not appealed it;
4) having been informed regarding examination of the case and a possibility of
participation in examination of the case, had refused from his or her right to be heard and
unequivocally notified that he or she does not dispute the ruling.
(3) If the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature has been made regarding an offence
specified in Annex 3 to this Law, the examination in relation to whether this offence may be
considered as criminal also according to the laws of Latvia shall not be carried out.
[12 September 2013]
Section 787. Procedures for the Examination of the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature
(1) Upon the receipt of the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature, the Ministry of Justice
shall examine it in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 754 of this Law and
send the materials to a court, informing a European Union Member State thereof.
(2) Having received the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature and the assessed materials
attached thereto, a court shall ascertain whether the reasons for refusal referred to in Section 786
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 301
of this Law are present, and shall decide on the recovery of a financial nature to be executed in
Latvia or on the refusal to execute the relevant ruling.
Section 788. Recognition and Determination of Recovery of a Financial Nature to be
Executed in Latvia
(1) In Latvia, the execution of recovery of a financial nature specified in a ruling shall be
determined by a chief judge of a district (city) court according to the place of residence of the
person or the location of the property thereof, complying with the conditions and procedures
referred to in Sections 759, 760 and 784 of this Law.
(2) The factual circumstances and the guilt of the person established in the ruling on the
recovery of a financial nature shall be binding to a court of Latvia.
(3) If the laws of a European Union Member State do not allow the substitution of the fine
determined in the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature and the person does not execute
the fine voluntarily, a court with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall inform the
relevant European Union Member State and request to revoke the execution of the ruling on the
recovery of a financial nature.
(4) If a European Union Member State has indicated in the certification of a special form that
the laws thereof allow the substitution of the fine determined in the ruling on the recovery of a
financial nature, the substitution of the fine shall take place in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Section 645 of this Law.
(5) If the person, in relation to whom the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature has been
made in a European Union Member State, submits evidence regarding complete or partial
execution of the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature, the court shall communicate with
the European Union Member State, which issued the ruling, with the intermediation of the
Ministry of Justice or directly for the receipt of an approval thereof.
Section 789. Termination of the Execution of Recovery of a Financial Nature
(1) Execution of the recovery of a financial nature shall be terminated, if the ruling of conviction
on the recovery of a financial nature has been revoked in the European Union Member State.
(2) The decisions of the relevant European Union Member State on reduction of the
punishment, issue of an amnesty or clemency act shall be binding to Latvia.
(3) The notification received from the European Union Member State regarding the legal facts
provided for in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, shall be sent by the Ministry of Justice
to a court which previously has decided on issues related to the execution of recovery of a
financial nature.
Chapter 74 Execution in Latvia of a Confiscation of Property Applied in a Foreign
Country
Section 790. Principles for the Assessment of a Confiscation of Property Applied in a
Foreign Country
The procedures referred to in Chapter 69 of this Law shall be applied to the assessment
of a request of a foreign country regarding the execution of a confiscation of property, if it has
not been specified otherwise in this Chapter.
Section 791. Determination of a Confiscation of Property to be Executed in Latvia
(1) Confiscation of property to be executed in Latvia shall be determined, if it has been applied
in a foreign country and if property should be confiscated in Latvia for the same offence.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 302
Confiscation of property provided for in a ruling of a foreign country shall be executed
regardless of in which proceedings it was applied in the foreign country.
(2) If a judgment of a foreign country provides for the confiscation of property, but The
Criminal Law does not provide for the confiscation of property as a basic punishment or
additional punishment, confiscation shall be applied only in the amount established in the
judgment of the foreign country, that the object to be confiscated is an instrumentality of the
committing of the offence or has been obtained by criminal means.
(3) The amount of a confiscation of property imposed in a foreign country, if a ruling has been
made regarding a certain amount of money, shall be calculated in euros according to the
currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in force on the day of proclamation of
the ruling of conviction.
(4) If several rulings on the confiscation of property in respect of an amount of money have
been received concurrently and these rulings have been issued in respect of one person who
does not have sufficient resources in Latvia to execute all the rulings, or several rulings on the
confiscation of property in respect of a certain part of property have been received concurrently,
a court shall take a decision on which of the rulings will be executed, taking into account:
1) the severity of a criminal offence;
2) the seizure of the property;
3) succession in which rulings on the confiscation of property have been received in
Latvia.
[12 September 2013; 18 February 2016; 22 June 2017]
Section 792. Conditions in Respect of the Division of Money or Property Acquired as a
Result of a Confiscation of Property with Foreign Countries
(1) A request regarding the division of money or property acquired as a result of a confiscation
of property shall be decided by the Ministry of Justice in each particular case.
(2) In examining a request regarding division of money acquired as a result of a confiscation of
property, the amount of money acquired, the harm caused by a criminal offence and location of
victims shall be taken into account.
(3) If the money obtained as a result of confiscation of property does not exceed EUR 10 000
(recalculating according to the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect
on the day of the announcement of the judgment regarding the confiscation of property), the
Ministry of Justice shall take a decision to refuse to transfer the money to a foreign state. If the
money obtained as a result of confiscation of property exceeds EUR 10 000 (recalculating
according to the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect on the day of
the announcement of the judgment regarding the confiscation of property), the Ministry of
Justice, upon consulting with a foreign state, shall take a decision to transfer to the foreign state
not more than half of the money or the amounts specified in a request of the foreign state.
(4) The Ministry of Justice, upon consulting with a foreign country, may take a decision on
different division of the money, which has not been referred to in Paragraph three of this Section
and which does not harm the financial interests of Latvia. The conditions of Paragraph two of
this Section shall be taken into account in consultations.
(5) Upon request of a foreign country the Ministry of Justice may take a decision to return the
property acquired as a result of a confiscation of property to the foreign country.
(6) The Ministry of Justice shall refuse a request regarding the division of money or property
acquired as a result of a confiscation of property, if the request is received after one year from
the day of sending of a notification regarding the execution of the ruling on the confiscation of
property.
(7) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which money or property acquired as a result
of a confiscation of property shall be divided with foreign countries and the procedures by
which money shall be transferred, as well as the criteria for the division of money or property.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 303
[12 September 2013]
Chapter 75 Execution of a Confiscation of Property Applied in a European Union
Member State
Section 793. Grounds for the Execution of the Ruling of a European Union Member State
on the Confiscation of Property
The grounds for the execution of a ruling of a European Union Member State on the
confiscation of the property, the instrumentalities of a criminal offence and the proceeds of
crime in Latvia (hereinafter – the ruling on the confiscation of property) shall be as follows:
1) the ruling on the confiscation of property or a certified copy thereof and a certification
of a special form;
2) a fact that a person, to whom the ruling on the confiscation of property applies to, has
a place of residence (to a legal person – a registered legal address) or he or she owns property
or has other income in Latvia;
3) a decision of a court of Latvia on confiscation of property to be executed in Latvia
and a writ of execution regarding transfer of the decision for execution.
Section 794. Reasons for the Refusal to Execute the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
(1) Execution of the ruling on the confiscation of property may be refused, if:
1) a certification of a special form has not been sent or it is incomplete, or does not
conform to the content of the ruling to which it is attached;
2) an offence to which the ruling applies is not included in Annex 2 to this Law and is
not criminal in accordance with the laws of Latvia;
3) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) will be violated
when executing the judgment;
4) immunity from criminal proceedings provided for in Chapter 8 of this Law is present;
5) the execution of the ruling is not possible in Latvia;
6) the limitation period for execution has set in and the ruling pertains to an offence that
is in the jurisdiction of Latvia;
7) the person convicted in a European Union Member State has not reached the age from
which criminal liability applies;
8) there are grounds to believe that the punishment has been determined on the basis of
the person’s sex, race, religious affiliation, ethnic origin, nationality, language or political
views;
9) the execution of the ruling would be in contradiction to the basic principles of the
legal system of Latvia.
(2) Execution of the judgment regarding a confiscation of property may also be refused, if it
has been taken in the absence of the person convicted in a European Union Member State (in
absentia), except cases where the person:
1) had received summons or had been otherwise informed that the ruling may be made
without his or her presence;
2) has been informed of the proceedings and his or her defence counsel has participated
in a court hearing;
3) had received the ruling on the confiscation of property and informed that he or she
does not dispute the ruling or has not appealed it.
(3) If the ruling on the confiscation of property has been made regarding an offence specified
in Annex 2 to this Law, the examination in relation to whether this offence may be considered
as criminal also to the laws of Latvia, shall not be carried out.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 304
Section 795. Deferral of the Execution of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
(1) A court may defer the execution of the ruling on the confiscation of property, if:
1) the total value which will be obtained as a result of execution of the ruling may exceed
the amount specified in the ruling because such ruling is concurrently implemented in several
European Union Member States;
2) the execution thereof may cause harm to criminal proceedings in Latvia;
3) the person convicted in a European Union Member State has applied to a court in
Latvia disputing the procedures of execution;
4) the execution of confiscation of property is commenced in Latvia.
(2) A sworn bailiff, having established the reasons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section,
shall defer the execution of the decision on the confiscation of property and take measures for
ensuring the execution of confiscation of property. A sworn bailiff shall notify a court and the
Ministry of Justice regarding deferring the execution of the decision.
(3) The Ministry of Justice shall inform a Member State which has made the ruling on deferring
the execution of the ruling on the confiscation of property.
Section 796. Procedures for Examination of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
The Ministry of Justice shall, upon receipt of the ruling on the confiscation of property,
examine it in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 754 of this Law and send
the materials to a court, informing a European Union Member State thereof.
Section 797. Recognition and Execution of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
(1) The recognition and execution of the ruling on the confiscation of property shall be
determined by a judge of a district (city) court according to the place of residence of the person
(for a legal person – according to a registered legal address) or the location of the property
thereof, complying with the conditions and procedures referred to in Sections 759 and 760 of
this Law.
(2) A judge of the regional (city) court shall send the writ of execution to the court bailiff. It
shall be indicated in a writ of execution that a decision has been taken upon a request of the
competent authority of a European Union Member State regarding the confiscation of property,
as well as in accordance with the information referred to in Section 634.1, Paragraph four of
this Law. A judge of a district (city) court shall send to the Ministry of Justice a copy of the
decision taken and the information regarding a bailiff, to which a decision has been sent for the
execution.
(3) If a judgment regarding a confiscation of property is rendered for a certain amount of money,
a judge of a district (city) court shall indicate in a decision the amount of money to be
confiscated in euros. If necessary, the amount shall be recalculated according to the currency
exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect on the day of proclamation of the ruling.
(4) If a person, in relation to whom a decision to recognise the ruling on the confiscation of
property has been made, submits evidence regarding complete or partial execution of the ruling
on the confiscation of property, a judge of a district (city) court shall with the intermediation of
the Ministry of Justice communicate with the European Union Member State, which made the
ruling, for the receipt of an approval thereof. If the confirmation regarding complete execution
of the ruling on the confiscation of property has been received, a judge of a district (city) court
shall revoke a decision on the confiscation of property to be executed in Latvia. If the
confirmation regarding partial execution of the ruling on the confiscation of property has been
received, a judge of a district (city) court shall amend the decision in accordance with the
received confirmation.
[12 September 2013; 22 June 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 305
Section 798. Procedures for the Execution of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
(1) If several rulings on the confiscation of property have been received concurrently, which
have been made in respect of one person, and the relevant person does not have sufficient
resources in Latvia to execute all the rulings, or several rulings on the confiscation of property
in respect of one property, a court shall take a decision on which ruling or which rulings will
be executed, taking into account:
1) the severity of a criminal offence;
2) the seizure of the property;
3) the dates when the rulings on the confiscation of property have been made and the
dates when the rulings have been received in Latvia.
(2) The decisions of the relevant European Union Member State regarding reduction of a
punishment, issue of an amnesty or clemency act are binding to Latvia.
(3) The execution of a decision on the confiscation of property shall be terminated, if a European
Union Member State has revoked a ruling on the confiscation of property.
(4) The Ministry of Justice shall send a notification received from a European Union Member
State regarding legal facts provided for in Paragraphs two and three of this Section which
transferred the decision for execution, and shall inform a sworn bailiff thereof.
Section 799. Submission of a Complaint Regarding Execution of the Ruling on the
Confiscation of Property
(1) A person, against whom or against whose property a decision on a confiscation of property
to be executed in Latvia is directed against, may appeal the activities of a sworn bailiff in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law.
(2) A complaint regarding the reasons for making the ruling on the confiscation of property
shall be submitted to a court of a European Union Member State.
(3) If a complaint regarding the reasons for making the ruling on the confiscation of property is
received, the Ministry of Justice shall, after receipt of information from a court, inform a
European Union Member State thereof.
Section 800. Conditions for the Division of Money or Property Acquired as a Result of a
Confiscation of Property with a European Union Member State
(1) The Ministry of Justice, upon request of a European Union Member State, shall decide a
matter on division of money or property obtained as a result of a confiscation of property with
this Member State.
(2) If the money acquired as a result of confiscation of property does not exceed EUR 10 000
(recalculating according to the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect
on the day of proclamation of the judgment regarding confiscation of property), the Ministry of
Justice shall take a decision to refuse to transfer the money to a European Union Member State.
If the money acquired as a result of confiscation of property exceeds EUR 10 000 (recalculating
according to the currency exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect on the day of
proclamation of the judgment regarding confiscation of property), the Ministry of Justice shall
take a decision to transfer half of the money to the respective European Union Member State.
(3) The Ministry of Justice, upon consulting with the relevant European Union Member State,
may take a decision on different division of the money, which has not been referred to in
Paragraph two of this Section and which does not harm the financial interests of Latvia. The
harm caused by criminal offences and the location of victims shall be taken into account in
consultations.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 306
(4) The Ministry of Justice may, upon request of a European Union Member State, take a
decision to return a property acquired as a result of confiscation of property to such Member
State.
(5) The Ministry of Justice shall refuse a request of a European Union Member State regarding
the division of money or property acquired as a result of a confiscation of property, if the request
is received after one year from the day of sending of a notification regarding the execution of
the ruling on the confiscation of property.
(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the money or property acquired as a
result of a confiscation of property shall be divided with European Union Member States and
by which the money shall be transferred, as well as the criteria for the division of money and
property.
[12 September 2013]
Chapter 76 Execution in Latvia of a Punishment of Restriction on Rights Determined in
a Foreign Country and the Ruling Made in a European Union Member State on an
Alternative Sanction
Section 801. Determination of Restrictions on Rights to be Executed in Latvia
(1) A court shall examine a request of a foreign country regarding recognition and execution of
a punishment imposed in the foreign country, as well as determination of a punishment in
accordance with the procedures referred to in Sections 759 and 760 of this Law.
(2) All the punishments of restrictions on rights, or deprivation of rights, specified in a foreign
country that comply with the criteria for the imposition of such additional punishment specified
in The Criminal Law shall be executed in Latvia.
(3) Restrictions on rights shall be determined for a time period from one year up to five years,
if a shorter time period has not been specified in a judgment of a foreign country.
(4) The court that determines a punishment to be executed in Latvia may not apply restrictions
on rights, if such court does not see the usefulness of such application in the state thereof.
(5) Latvia may also specify restrictions on rights, which by their content apply to execution in
all countries, also if such punishment is being concurrently executed in a foreign country.
Section 802. Grounds for the Execution of the Ruling on an Alternative Sanction
(1) The grounds for the execution of a court ruling of a European Union Member State, in which
a punishment is specified that is not related either to the deprivation of liberty or recovery of a
financial nature or confiscation of property, or for the execution of such ruling of a court or the
competent authority, by which a probationary measure is applied (hereinafter – the ruling on an
alternative sanction), shall be as follows:
1) the ruling issued by the competent authority of the European Union Member State on
an alternative sanction or a certified copy thereof and a certification of a special form;
2) the fact that the person to whom the alternative sanction applies has a permanent
place of residence in Latvia and the person is in Latvia;
3) a decision of a court of Latvia on determination of an alternative sanction to be
executed in Latvia.
(2) The ruling on an alternative sanction shall be recognised and executed in Latvia also if a
person to whom the alternative sanction applies does not reside permanently in Latvia, but has
indicated a place of residence in Latvia where he or she will be reachable if:
1) the person has employment legal relationship in Latvia;
2) the person has family relationship in Latvia;
3) the person is acquiring education in Latvia.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 307
(3) A probationary measure is a duty applied to a person in relation to a suspended sentence,
conditional deferral of determination of a punishment or early conditional release from the
punishment.
(4) Conditional deferral of determination of a punishment is a court judgment, by which
determination of a punishment is conditionally deferred, applying one or several probationary
measures, or in which one or several probationary measures are applied instead of the
punishment of deprivation of liberty.
Section 803. Reasons for the Refusal to Execute the Ruling on an Alternative Sanction
(1) Execution of the ruling on an alternative sanction may be refused, if:
1) a certification of a special form has not been sent or it is incomplete, or does not
conform to the content of the ruling;
2) an offence to which the ruling on an alternative sanction applies is not included in
Annex 2 to this Law and is not criminal according to the laws of Latvia;
3) the person does not have a permanent place of residence in Latvia or such person
cannot be reached in Latvia;
4) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) will be violated
when executing the judgment regarding an alternative sanction;
5) the ruling on an alternative sanction applies to an offence which is not criminal
according to the laws of Latvia;
6) immunity from criminal proceedings provided for in Chapter 8 of this Law is present;
7) the limitation period for the execution of the ruling has set in and the ruling on an
alternative sanction pertains to an offence that is in the jurisdiction of Latvia;
8) the person has not reached the age from which criminal liability applies;
9) the alternative sanction applied does not exceed six months;
10) the ruling on an alternative sanction provides for medical treatment, execution of
which is not possible in Latvia.
(2) Execution of a judgment regarding an alternative sanction may also be refused, if it has been
taken in the absence of a person (in absentia), except cases where the person:
1) had received summons or had been otherwise informed that the ruling may be made
without his or her presence;
2) has been informed of the proceedings and his or her defence counsel has participated
in a court hearing;
3) had received the ruling on an alternative sanction and informed that he or she does
not dispute the ruling or has not appealed it.
(3) If the ruling on an alternative sanction has been made regarding an offence specified in
Annex 2 to this Law, the examination in relation to whether this offence may be considered as
criminal also according to the laws of Latvia, shall not be carried out.
Section 804. Procedures for Examination of the Ruling on an Alternative Sanction
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall, upon receipt of the ruling on an alternative sanction, examine
it in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 754 of this Law and send the materials
to a court without delay, informing a European Union Member State thereof.
(2) If a certification of a special form has not been sent or it is incomplete or does not conform
to the content of the ruling, the Ministry of Justice may defer sending of the ruling on an
alternative sanction to a court, informing the relevant European Union Member State thereof.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 308
Section 805. Determination of an Alternative Sanction to be Executed in Latvia
(1) A judge of a district (city) court shall take a decision on the recognition and execution of
the ruling on an alternative sanction, complying with the conditions and procedures referred to
in Sections 759 and 760 of this Law.
(2) The factual circumstances established in the ruling on an alternative sanction, and the guilt
of a person, shall be binding to a court of Latvia.
(3) The alternative sanction applied in a European Union Member State, which conforms to the
alternative sanction specified in The Criminal Law, shall be determined without the
modification of the type and amount of the punishment or probation.
(4) If the type and amount of an alternative sanction applied in a European Union Member State
does not comply with the alternative sanction specified in The Criminal Law, a court shall
determine it, modifying in accordance with the punishment or probationary measure that is
provided for by The Criminal Law for the same criminal offence, complying with the following
conditions:
1) the alternative sanction shall comply as much as possible with that which is
determined in the ruling on an alternative sanction;
2) the duration of the alternative sanction and the restrictions on rights shall not exceed
the maximum punishment specified in The Criminal Law or probationary measure for the same
offence, as well as shall not be harsher or more severe than the alternative sanction specified in
the ruling;
3) the minimal limit of the punishment specified in The Criminal Law shall not have
any significance.
(5) A court with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall inform the relevant European
Union Member State regarding the decision taken in Paragraph four of this Section.
Section 806. Decision to Terminate the Execution of an Alternative Sanction
(1) Decisions of the relevant European Union Member State on reduction of an alternative
sanction or punishment, issuance of an amnesty or clemency act are binding to Latvia.
(2) Execution of an alternative sanction may be terminated if;
1) a person does not have a permanent place of residence in Latvia anymore or the
person cannot be reached in Latvia;
2) a person is evading the execution of an alternative sanction and there are grounds to
believe that he or she is not in Latvia anymore;
3) new criminal proceedings have been initiated in the relevant European Union
Member State against a person and the Member State is requesting to transfer back the
execution of the alternative sanction.
(3) In the cases referred to in Paragraph two of this Section a court shall take a decision to
terminate the execution of an alternative sanction and a copy of the decision shall be sent to the
institution, which executes the alternative sanction applied. A court shall send a decision to
terminate the execution of an alternative sanction to the Ministry of Justice together with
materials for sending to the relevant European Union Member State.
(4) The Ministry of Justice, having received a court decision to terminate the execution of an
alternative sanction, shall notify the relevant European Union Member State thereof, sending
the decision and materials thereto.
Section 807. Determination of a Punishment to be Executed in Latvia in Case of Non-
conformity with a Decision on an Alternative Sanction
(1) If a person evades the execution of a punishment not related to deprivation or liberty or does
not fulfil the probationary measures applied by a court without justifiable reason, a court shall,
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 309
on the basis of a submission of the institution which is assigned to control the execution of the
alternative sanction, take a decision on the execution or substitution of the punishment applied
in the ruling on an alternative sanction.
(2) The issues that have arisen during supervision of the execution of an alternative sanction
shall be examined in accordance with the procedures provided for in Chapter 61 of this Law.
(3) In the cases provided for in Paragraph one of this Section a court shall not take a decision
on execution of the punishment if the ruling on an alternative sanction is related to conditional
deferral of the determination of a punishment or the ruling on an alternative sanction does not
provide for the punishment of deprivation of liberty to be applied in case of non-conformity
with the alternative sanction. A court shall send the materials to the Ministry of Justice for
forwarding to the relevant European Union Member State for taking of a subsequent decision.
(4) Having received the materials referred to in Paragraph three of this Section, the Ministry of
Justice shall notify the relevant European Union Member State thereof and send the materials
thereto.
Division Seventeen
Execution in a Foreign Country of a Punishment Imposed in Latvia
[24 May 2012]
Chapter 77 General Provisions in Relation to Execution in a Foreign Country of a
Punishment Imposed in Latvia
Section 808. Conditions for the Submission of a Request for the Execution of a
Punishment
(1) Submission of a request to a foreign country regarding the execution of a punishment
imposed in Latvia shall be possible if a ruling of a court has entered into effect and the execution
of the punishment in the foreign country would promote resocialization of the convicted person.
(2) Latvia may request a foreign country to execute a punishment imposed in Latvia, if in
addition to the conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section one or more of the
following conditions exist:
1) the foreign country is the country of citizenship of the convicted person or his or her
permanent place of residence is located in the foreign country;
2) a property of the convicted person is located in the foreign country or he or she has
income there;
3) the foreign country is the country of citizenship of the convicted person, and the
country has expressed a readiness to facilitate resocialization of the person;
4) Latvia would not be capable of executing the punishment, even by requesting
extradition of the person.
(3) Prior to sending a request the Ministry of Justice may request an opinion of the foreign
country on whether the offence for which the punishment has been imposed is criminal also in
accordance with the laws of the foreign country.
Section 809. Procedures for Sending of a Request Regarding the Execution of a
Punishment
(1) If the conditions referred to in Section 808 of this Law exist, a court controlling complete
execution of a judgment or decision shall turn to the Ministry of Justice with a written proposal
to request that the foreign country executes the punishment.
(2) The information referred to in Section 678 of this Law shall be indicated in the proposal and
the following shall be attached thereto:
1) a certified copy of a valid court ruling;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 310
2) a certified copy of an order regarding the execution of a judgment or a certified copy
of the writ of execution;
3) the text of the section of the law according to which the person has been convicted;
4) the text of the sections of the law, which regulate the running of the limitation period.
(3) The Ministry of Justice shall examine the proposals within 10 days and notify a court, which
had turned to the Ministry with the proposal, regarding the results. If there are grounds for
requesting the execution in a foreign country of a punishment imposed in Latvia, the Ministry
of Justice shall prepare a request, ensure the translation of the request and send it to the foreign
country.
(4) Upon request of a foreign country the Ministry of Justice shall send it the criminal case or
certified copies of the documents in the criminal case.
(5) If a punishment has been determined for several offences or on the basis of several
judgments, but not all the offences allow for the execution in a foreign country of the imposed
punishment, the Ministry of Justice shall propose for a court to determine a punishment that
would have to be served for the offences regarding which the execution of the punishment in
the foreign country is possible. The court shall determine the punishment in accordance with
the procedures provided for in Division Thirteen of this Law.
Section 810. Examination of a Complaint Regarding Execution in a Foreign State of a
Punishment Applied in Latvia in the Absence of a Person (in absentia)
(1) If a convicted person has appealed a ruling within the time period specified in Section 465
of this Law, a court shall issue a court summons not more than 21 days prior to the day of
examination of the complaint.
(2) A court with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall inform a foreign country if
the complaint has been recognised as unacceptable or the person does not arrive to a court
hearing.
(3) If the complaint has been accepted for examination, a court with the intermediation of the
Ministry of Justice shall revoke a request regarding execution of a punishment imposed in
Latvia.
Section 811. Consequences of Submission of a Request Regarding the Execution of a
Punishment
(1) After a request regarding the execution of a punishment has been submitted to a foreign
country, institutions of Latvia shall not perform any activities related to the execution of a
punishment.
(2) The restrictions specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall not apply to a case when a
person, prior to submission of a request, is serving the punishment of deprivation of liberty in
Latvia or he or she has been applied a security measure – arrest.
(3) Confiscation of property or restriction on rights specified as an additional punishment in
Latvia may be executed regardless of the submission of a request regarding the execution of a
punishment to a foreign country.
Section 812. Information to be Provided by the Ministry of Justice
(1) If a request regarding the execution of a punishment in a foreign country has been sent and
a consent of the foreign country has been received, the Ministry of Justice shall inform the
submitter of the submission and a court controlling complete execution of a judgment, the
convicted person, as well as his or her representative in cases when the representative has
submitted a request.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 311
(2) After receipt of information of a foreign country regarding the end of serving the punishment
the Ministry of Justice shall inform a court and the institution executing the punishment thereof.
Section 813. Rights of Latvia during the Execution of a Punishment in a Foreign Country
(1) A court ruling, by which a punishment executed in a foreign country has been determined,
may be re-examined only by a court of Latvia.
(2) If a court ruling is repealed, the Ministry of Justice shall inform a foreign country thereof
without delay. Such information shall cancel the previously submitted request regarding the
execution of a punishment.
(3) If as a result re-examination a court ruling is amended in the part relating to the type, amount
of the punishment or the conditions for execution thereof, the Ministry of Justice shall submit
a supplement to the request regarding the execution of a punishment.
(4) Amnesty acts adopted in Latvia shall also apply to persons who have been imposed a
punishment in Latvia, however, it is executed in a foreign country, therefore the Ministry of
Justice shall send them without delay to foreign countries to which requests regarding the
execution of a punishment have been submitted, but from which information regarding
termination of the execution thereof has not been received.
(5) A convicted person to whom punishment is executed in a foreign country may be pardoned
in accordance with the procedures provided for in laws. The Ministry of Justice shall inform a
foreign country regarding adopting of a clemency act without delay.
Section 814. Recovery of the Right to Execute a Punishment
(1) Latvia shall recover the right to execute a punishment if:
1) a request regarding the execution of a punishment has been revoked before a foreign
country has notified its intent to execute the punishment;
2) a foreign country has notified regarding rejection of a request;
3) a foreign country unequivocally does not implement its right to execute a punishment,
although it has notified its intent to do so;
4) as a result of hesitation of a foreign country execution of a punishment therein is not
possible anymore.
(2) If a request regarding the execution of a punishment has been cancelled due to revocation
of a court ruling, criminal proceedings in Latvia shall take place in accordance with general
procedure.
(3) Regardless of the place of execution of a punishment anything that has been executed in
Latvia and in a foreign country shall be included in the part of the punishment served.
(4) Execution of a punishment in Latvia shall not be possible if a foreign country has notified
regarding termination of the execution of a punishment or it has become known that a person
has been acquitted for the same offence, has served the punishment, convicted without
determination of a punishment, pardoned or amnestied in another foreign country, with which
Latvia has entered into an agreement regarding mutual recognition of judgments.
Section 815. Limitation Periods
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall inform a foreign country regarding setting in of the limitation
period provided for in The Criminal Law and all circumstances affecting the running of the
limitation period.
(2) The term of limitation period provided for in laws of a foreign country shall not be an
obstacle for the execution of a punishment in Latvia after recovery of the right to execute.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 312
Chapter 78 Execution in a Foreign Country of a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty
Imposed in Latvia
Section 816. Grounds for the Execution in a Foreign Country of a Punishment of
Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in Latvia
(1) The grounds for the execution in a foreign country of a punishment of deprivation of liberty
imposed in Latvia shall be as follows:
1) a request of the Ministry of Justice to execute in a foreign country a punishment of
deprivation of liberty imposed in Latvia and a consent of the foreign country thereto;
2) a request of a foreign country to transfer the execution of a punishment of deprivation
of liberty imposed in Latvia to the foreign country and a consent of the Ministry of Justice
thereto.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall perform the activities provided for in this Chapter if a court
proposal, a request of the convicted person or his or her representative, information of a foreign
country or a request has been received, or upon its own initiative.
(3) The provisions of this Chapter shall be applicable regardless of whether the person convicted
in Latvia is located in a foreign country or in Latvia.
Section 817. Conditions in Relation to Sending of a Request Regarding the Execution in a
Foreign Country of a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in
Latvia to the Relevant Foreign Country
(1) In addition to the conditions referred to in Section 808 of this Law sending a request
regarding the execution in a foreign country of a punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed
in Latvia shall be possible if at the time when such request or proposal is received the convicted
person has at least six months remaining until the end of serving of the punishment. In an
exceptional case a request may be submitted if the term of serving of the punishment is lesser.
(2) The Ministry of Justice may request a foreign country to take over for the execution of a
punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in Latvia a person who has been prescribed
medical treatment in a specialised guarded psychiatric hospital due to mental dysfunctions or
mental disability or medical treatment in places of deprivation of liberty suitable thereto, for
the application of equivalent medical treatment measures.
Section 818. Consent of a Convicted Person to the Execution in a Foreign Country of a
Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty
(1) If a convicted person is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia, a foreign
country may be requested to execute the punishment of deprivation of liberty if the convicted
person agrees thereto.
(2) If a request of a representative of the convicted person or a foreign country regarding transfer
of the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty to the foreign country has been
received and a wish of the convicted person to serve the punishment in the foreign country has
not been attached to the request in writing, the Ministry of Justice shall, within 10 days, acquaint
the convicted person with the request, explain the legal consequences of the transfer to him or
her and invite to express his or her attitude towards the request received. A consent or refusal
of the person shall be drawn up in writing, and the convicted person shall confirm it with his or
her signature.
(3) If a foreign country has expressed such wish, the Ministry of Justice shall ensure an
opportunity for the representative of the foreign country, regarding whom both countries have
agreed, to examine the circumstances in which the convicted person gave his or her consent.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 313
(4) If a convicted person is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia, Latvia and
the foreign country may agree on the transfer of the convicted person without his or her consent
if there is a reason to believe that, taking into account the age or physical or mental condition
of the person, transfer for the execution of the punishment is necessary and the representative
of the convicted person agrees thereto.
(5) The consent of a person convicted with a punishment of deprivation of liberty shall not be
necessary if he or she has escaped from serving of the punishment to the state of his or her
citizenship.
(6) The consent of a person convicted with a punishment of deprivation of liberty shall not be
necessary if removal from Latvia has been determined as an additional punishment in the
judgment or there is another decision binding to the convicted person, as a result of which he
or she is not allowed to stay in Latvia after serving of the punishment. A copy of the judgment
or decision on removal of the convicted person and his or her opinion on the transfer shall be
attached to the request.
Section 819. Informing a Convicted Person
(1) The administration of a deprivation of liberty institution shall, within 10 days after it has
received an order of a judge regarding execution of the judgment, inform a foreigner convicted
in Latvia or a person whose permanent place of residence is not in Latvia, regarding the right
of the person to express his or her wish to serve a punishment in the state of his or her citizenship
or permanent place of residence. The convicted person shall be explained what are the legal
consequences of the transfer of a person for serving of a punishment.
(2) The convicted person shall submit his or her request regarding execution in a foreign country
of a punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in Latvia to the Ministry of Justice, which
shall, without delay, inform the convicted person in writing regarding sending of a notification
to the foreign country and regarding the results of examination of the request.
(3) The following shall be indicated in a notification to a foreign country:
1) the given name, surname, place and date of birth of the convicted person;
2) the address of the convicted person in the foreign country, if such address exists;
3) the offence, for which the punishment has been imposed;
4) the type and amount of the punishment, as well as the time when serving of the
punishment was commenced.
[18 February 2016]
Section 820. Examination of a Request Regarding the Execution in a Foreign Country of
a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty
(1) If a person has been convicted in Latvia with a punishment of deprivation of liberty and is
located in a foreign country, a request shall be prepared and sent in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 809 of this Law.
(2) If a person is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia and a request of the
person or of a foreign country regarding the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty
in the relevant foreign country has been received, the Ministry of Justice shall, within 10 days
or after receipt of the requested additional information, examine whether the conditions referred
to in Sections 817 and 818 of this Law exist. If the information in the materials received is
insufficient, the Ministry of Justice may additionally request the following to the foreign
country:
1) a document or notification that the convicted person is a citizen of the state or he or
she has a permanent place of residence in the state;
2) the text of the law, according to which the offence for which the person has been
convicted is deemed criminal in the state;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 314
3) information regarding what procedure for determination of the punishment –
continuation or changing – will be applied by the foreign country.
(3) In the case referred to in Paragraph two of this Section the Ministry of Justice shall take one
of the following decisions after examination of the request:
1) to submit a request regarding the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty
in a foreign country;
2) to agree to the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty in a foreign
country;
3) to reject a request regarding the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty
in a foreign country.
(4) Concurrently with the notification referred to in Section 819 of this Law the Ministry of
Justice may send a request to the foreign country regarding takeover of the execution of a
punishment of deprivation of liberty in the foreign country, if no facts preventing it have been
established in the initial materials. In such case it shall be indicated in the request that it is in
effect provided that such facts have not been established also in the relevant foreign country.
(5) In addition to the documents referred to in Section 809 of this Law the Ministry of Justice
shall append to the request:
1) information regarding any time period of the punishment already served, the time
period of pre-trial arrest, reduction of the punishment or any other condition important for
serving of the punishment;
2) a consent of the convicted person to serving of the punishment in a foreign country;
3) data of medical or social nature on the convicted person, information regarding
medical treatment of the person in Latvia and, if necessary, recommendations for his or her
further medical treatment in a foreign country.
Section 821. Transfer of a Convicted Person and Legal Consequences Thereof
(1) If Latvia has agreed to the execution of a punishment of deprivation of liberty in a foreign
country or a foreign country has agreed to the execution thereof, the Ministry of Justice shall
assign the State Police to co-ordinate the transfer of the person with the foreign country and
transfer him or her to the relevant foreign country.
(2) In conformity with Section 813 of this Law, execution of a punishment in Latvia shall be
suspended if the convicted person is moved across the State border of the Republic of Latvia.
Execution of a punishment shall not be renewed if a foreign country has notified that serving
of the punishment has been terminated.
(3) In addition to the conditions referred to in Section 814 of this Law execution of the
punishment shall be renewed if a foreign country notifies that:
1) the person has escaped from the deprivation of liberty institution;
2) execution of the punishment has not been completed and the person has returned to
Latvia.
Section 822. Placing under Arrest of a Person Convicted in Latvia
(1) If a convicted person has escaped from serving a punishment in Latvia and there is justified
suspicion that he or she might evade serving of a punishment of deprivation of liberty in a
foreign country, a court may, in accordance with Section 808 of this Law, propose the Ministry
of Justice to request the foreign country that it places the person under arrest until submission
of and deciding on a request regarding the execution of the punishment imposed in Latvia.
(2) If a person has been placed under arrest in a foreign country on the grounds of the request
indicated in Paragraph one of this Section, a request regarding the execution of a punishment
shall be submitted in as short period of time as possible, but not later than on the fifteenth day
after placing under arrest of the person.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 315
(3) A person placed under arrest in Latvia shall be transferred to a foreign country for
participation in proceedings regarding determination of the punishment to be executed. If a
court of a foreign country establishes that execution of the punishment imposed in Latvia is not
possible in the country, Latvia shall take over the person placed under arrest and decide on his
or her holding under arrest or release in accordance with general procedure.
(4) If the laws of a foreign country allow it, a person placed under arrest in Latvia may
participate in the proceedings for determination of the punishment, using technical means.
(5) If a judgment is revoked in Latvia, on the grounds of which a foreign country executes the
punishment of deprivation of liberty, and the case is transferred for examination de novo, a
court with the intermediation of the Ministry of Justice shall inform the relevant foreign country
without delay and may submit a request thereto regarding application of temporary arrest in the
cases provided for in this Section.
Chapter 79 Execution in a European Union Member State of a Punishment of
Deprivation of Liberty Imposed in Latvia
Section 823. Conditions in Relation to Sending of a Request Regarding the Execution in a
European Union Member State of a Punishment of Deprivation of Liberty
Imposed in Latvia to the Relevant European Union Member State
(1) Submission of a request to a European Union Member State regarding the execution of a
punishment of deprivation of liberty imposed in Latvia in the relevant European Union Member
State shall be possible if the conditions of Section 808, Paragraph one of this Law exist and the
convicted person and the European Union Member State agree thereto.
(2) A consent of a convicted person shall not be necessary if:
1) the person is a citizen of a European Union Member State and resides in the European
Union Member State;
2) removal from Latvia has been determined as an additional punishment in the
judgment or there is another decision binding to the person, as a result of which the person is
not allowed to stay in Latvia after serving of the punishment;
3) the convicted person has escaped or returned to a European Union Member State
because criminal proceedings have been initiated or a judgment of conviction has been rendered
against him or her in Latvia.
(3) A consent of a European Union Member State shall not be necessary if:
1) the convicted person is a citizen of a European Union Member State and resides in
the European Union Member State;
2) the convicted person is a citizen of a European Union Member State and removal
from Latvia has been determined as an additional punishment in the judgment or there is another
decision binding to the person, as a result of which the person is not allowed to stay in Latvia
after serving of the punishment.
[See Paragraph 35 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 824. Opinion of a Convicted Person
(1) If a convicted person is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia and a request
to execute the punishment in a European Union Member State has been received, however, a
wish of the convicted person expressed in writing to serve the punishment in the relevant
European Union Member State has not been attached to the request, the Ministry of Justice
shall, in accordance with the procedures and time periods referred to in Section 818 of this Law,
acquaint the convicted person with the request, explaining the legal consequences of the transfer
to him or her. A consent or refusal of the person shall be drawn up in writing, and the convicted
person shall confirm it with his or her signature.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 316
(2) The opinion referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be provided by a representative
of the convicted person, taking into account the age or physical or mental state of the convicted
person.
Section 825. Procedures for Examination of a Request Regarding the Execution of a
Punishment Imposed in Latvia and Sending to a European Union Member
State
(1) The Ministry of Justice shall commence an examination in relation to the possibility of
requesting a European Union Member State that it executes a punishment of deprivation of
liberty imposed in Latvia, if a court proposal, a request of a convicted person or his or her
representative, information of a European Union Member State has been received, as well as
upon the initiative of a deprivation of liberty institution.
(2) If the conditions referred to in Section 823 of this Law exist, a court controlling complete
execution of a judgment or decision shall turn to the Ministry of Justice with a written proposal
to request the European Union Member State to execute the punishment. The information
referred to in Sections 678 and 808 of this Law shall be indicated in the proposal. The Ministry
of Justice shall examine the proposal in accordance with the procedures provided for in Section
809 of this Law. If conditions exist for requesting that a punishment imposed in Latvia is
executed in a European Union Member State, the Ministry of Justice shall fill in a certification
of a special form.
(3) If information from a deprivation of liberty institution or a European Union Member State,
a request of a convicted person or his or her representative has been received and the Ministry
of Justice considers that the conditions referred to in Section 823 of this Law exist, it shall
prepare a certification of a special form in accordance with the procedures and within the time
period referred to in Section 809, Paragraph three of this Law.
(4) If the Ministry of Justice considers that the information provided is insufficient, it shall
request additional information or documents and determine the deadline for the submission
thereof. The deadline for deciding specified in Section 809 of this Law shall be counted from
the day when the requested materials are received.
(5) The Ministry of Justice shall ensure the translation of judgments and a certification of a
special form in the official language of the relevant European Union Member State or the
language, which has been indicated for the receipt of the judgment and certification by the
Member State to the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.
(6) A certification of a special form shall be sent to a European Union Member State together
with a judgment and an opinion of a convicted person. The Ministry of Justice shall notify the
submitter of the proposal or request regarding sending of the judgment and certification to the
European Union Member State. If a person is serving a punishment of deprivation of liberty in
Latvia, he or she shall be issued a document of a special form regarding informing of the
convicted person regarding sending of the judgment and certification to the relevant European
Union Member State. If a person is located in a European Union Member State, a document of
a special form regarding informing of the convicted person regarding sending of the judgment
and certification to the European Union Member State shall be attached to the certification.
(7) After information has been received from a European Union Member State regarding a
decision taken thereby in relation to the judgment and certification of a special form sent to
such state, the Ministry of Justice shall notify thereof the submitter of the request, a court
controlling complete execution of the judgment, the convicted person, as well as his or her
representative in cases where the request was submitted by the representative.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 317
Section 826. Request of the Necessary Information in Order to Decide on an Issue
Regarding Sending of a Judgment and Certification of a Special Form
(1) If the Ministry of Justice considers that resocialization of a convicted person will be
promoted in a European Union Member State, prior to sending of a judgment and certification
of a special form it may request that the European Union Member State provides an opinion on
whether the execution of a punishment will promote resocialization of the convicted person in
the state, as well as the necessary additional information. An opinion of a European Union
Member State shall not suspend sending of the certification to the Member State.
(2) In cases not referred to in Section 823, Paragraph three of this Law the Ministry of Justice
shall request a European Union Member State to notify regarding a decision to agree or not
agree to sending of a judgment and certification of a special form.
Section 827. Revocation of a Certification of a Special Form
Until execution of a punishment in a European Union Member State has not been
commenced, the Ministry of Justice may revoke a certification of a special form, providing a
justification.
Section 828. Placing under Arrest of a Convicted Person in a European Union Member
State
The Ministry of Justice may, in the cases and according to the procedures referred to in
Section 822 of this Law, request that a European Union Member State places a convicted person
under arrest.
Section 829. Transfer of a Convicted Person
(1) If a European Union Member State has agreed to the execution of a punishment, the Ministry
of Justice shall assign the State Police, upon an agreement with the relevant European Union
Member State, transfer the person thereto not more than 30 days from the day when the Member
State took the final decision to recognise the judgment and execution of the punishment.
(2) If unforeseen circumstances exist, which hinder or preclude the transfer of a person, the
State Police shall contact the European Union Member State. Transfer of the convicted person
shall take place when the unforeseen circumstances do not exist anymore, but not more than
within 10 days from the day when a new agreement has been reached.
Section 830. Rights of Latvia during the Execution of a Punishment in a European Union
Member State
The rights of Latvia during the execution of a punishment in a European Union Member
State shall be determined by Section 813 of this Law.
Section 831. Legal Consequences of Transfer of a Convicted Person
Serving of a punishment in Latvia shall be suspended when a convicted person is moved
across the State border of the Republic of Latvia. Execution of a punishment may not be
renewed if a European Union Member State notifies that the person has escaped from the
deprivation of liberty institution. Execution of a punishment shall be renewed, if the respective
foreign country notifies that the person has escaped from the deprivation of liberty institution.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 318
Chapter 80 Execution in a Foreign Country of a Confiscation of Property Applied in
Latvia
Section 832. Sending of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property for the Execution in a
Foreign Country
(1) In conformity with the conditions and procedures referred to in Chapter 77 of this Law, the
Ministry of Justice may request that the confiscation of property applied in Latvia, which has
been applied as a basic punishment or additional punishment, is executed or the property is to
be confiscated on another basis provided for in the law (hereinafter – the ruling on the
confiscation of property).
(2) The ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of property may be sent concurrently to
several foreign countries, if property is located in a different foreign country or confiscation is
related to activities in several foreign countries. When sending several rulings on the
confiscation of property, the Ministry of Justice shall inform all foreign countries involved in
the execution of the ruling thereon.
[29 January 2015]
Section 833. Consequences of the Execution of a Confiscation of Property
(1) Having received information from a foreign country regarding the execution of the ruling
on the confiscation of property, the Ministry of Justice may request that the foreign country
decides on the division of the money or property acquired as a result of the confiscation of
property.
(2) In conformity with the harm caused as a result of a criminal offence, the number of victims
and the costs of criminal proceedings in Latvia, the Ministry of Justice may request that the
money acquired as a result of the confiscation of property is returned in full or partial amount.
(3) Having received information from a foreign country on a property, which was confiscated
as a historical, artistic or scientific value or the disposal of which was not desirable, the Ministry
of Justice shall agree with the foreign country on taking over of such property.
Chapter 81 Execution of the Ruling Made in Latvia on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature, on the Confiscation of Property and on an Alternative Sanction in a European
Union Member State
Section 834. Sending of the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial Nature for the
Execution to a European Union Member State
(1) If it is not possible to execute the ruling made in Latvia on the recovery of a financial nature
because the place of residence of a convicted person (for a legal person – a registered legal
address), the property belonging thereto or his or her income is in another European Union
Member State, a court or a prosecutor shall send the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature
together with a certification of a special form to the Ministry of Justice.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall ensure the translation of a certification of a special form,
prepare information regarding the running of the limitation period specified in The Criminal
Law and send the referred to documents to the relevant European Union Member State.
(3) The Ministry of Justice shall send all materials concurrently to only one European Union
Member State.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 319
Section 835. Consequences of the Execution of the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature
After the ruling made in Latvia on the recovery of a financial nature has been sent for
execution to a European Union Member State and the relevant Member State has taken a
decision to accept it for execution, the Latvian authorities shall not perform any activities
related to the execution of the recovery of a financial nature.
Section 836. Recovery of the Right to Execute the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial
Nature
Latvia shall recover the right to execute the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature
if:
1) it revokes the execution of the ruling on the recovery of a financial nature in a
European Union Member State;
2) a Member State informs regarding complete or partial non-execution of the ruling on
the recovery of a financial nature.
Section 837. Sending of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property for the Execution to a
European Union Member State
(1) If it is not possible to execute the ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of property
because the place of residence of a convicted person (for a legal person – a registered legal
address), the property belonging thereto or his or her income is in another European Union
Member State, a court shall send the ruling on the confiscation of property together with a
certification of a special form to the Ministry of Justice.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall ensure the translation of a certification of a special form in the
official language of the relevant European Union Member State or the language, which has
been indicated for the receipt of the certification by the Member State to the General Secretariat
of the Council of the European Union, as well as prepare information regarding the running of
the limitation period specified in The Criminal Law and send the referred to documents to the
relevant European Union Member State.
(3) The ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of property may be sent concurrently to
several European Union Member States, if properties are located in different Member States
thereof or confiscation is related to activities in several Member States.
(4) If a property, to which the ruling on the confiscation of property applies, has a historical,
artistic or scientific value or the disposal of which is not desirable, a relevant note shall be made
in the certification of a special form.
Section 838. Consequences of Sending of the Ruling on the Confiscation of Property
Sending of the ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of property to several European
Union Member States concurrently shall not limit Latvia in the execution of the ruling.
Section 839. Termination of the Execution of the Ruling Made in Latvia on the
Confiscation of Property
(1) If a court revokes the ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of property, it shall inform
the Ministry of Justice, which shall, without delay, inform the relevant European Union
Member State regarding revocation of the court ruling made in Latvia on the confiscation of
property.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 320
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall, without delay, inform the relevant European Union Member
State regarding amnesty and clemency acts adopted in Latvia.
Section 840. Request in Relation to the Division of the Money or Property Acquired as a
Result of a Confiscation of Property
(1) Having received information from a European Union Member State regarding the execution
of the ruling on the confiscation of property, the Ministry of Justice shall, within 30 days,
request the Member State to decide on the division of money or property acquired as a result of
the confiscation of property.
(2) Having received information from a European Union Member State regarding the execution
of a judgment regarding a confiscation of property, if the money acquired as a result of the
confiscation of property exceeds EUR 10 000 (recalculating according to the currency
exchange rate used in accounting, which was in effect on the day of receipt of the information),
the Ministry of Justice shall request the Member State to transfer half of the money to the
account of the State budget of Latvia.
(3) Taking into account the harm caused as a result of a criminal offence, the number of victims
and the costs of criminal proceedings in Latvia, the Ministry of Justice may request that the
relevant European Union Member State return more than half of the money acquired as a result
of a confiscation of property.
(4) Having received information from a European Union Member State regarding a property
which has been confiscated and has a historical, artistic or scientific value or the disposal of
which was not desirable, the Ministry of Justice shall agree with the Member State regarding
the takeover of such property.
[12 September 2013]
Section 841. Sending of the Ruling Made in Latvia on an Alternative Sanction for the
Execution to a European Union Member State where the Permanent Place
of Residence of a Convicted Person is Located
(1) If it is not possible to execute the ruling made in Latvia on an alternative sanction because
a convicted person has returned or submitted a submission that he or she wishes to return to the
permanent place of residence in another European Union Member State, the court that rendered
the judgment in first instance shall send the ruling together with a certification of a special form
to the Ministry of Justice.
(2) An issue regarding sending of the ruling on an alternative sanction, the execution of which
should be commenced after punishment related to deprivation of liberty has been served, to a
European Union Member State during the serving of a punishment related to deprivation of
liberty upon a submission of a deprivation of liberty institution shall be examined in accordance
with the procedures laid down in Section 651 of this Law. The ruling together with a
certification of a special form shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
(3) An issue regarding sending of the ruling on an alternative sanction to a European Union
Member State during the execution of the sanction upon a submission of the institution, which
is assigned to control the execution of the alternative sanction, shall be examined in accordance
with the procedures laid down in Section 651 of this Law. The ruling together with a
certification of a special form shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
(4) In the case referred to in Paragraph three of this Section the ruling made in Latvia on an
alternative sanction may be sent for the execution to the relevant European Union Member
State, if the remaining time period of the applied probationary measure that was not executed
does not exceed six months.
(5) Having received the ruling referred to in Paragraph one, two, or three of this Section together
with a certification of a special form, the Ministry of Justice shall ensure the translation of the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 321
certification, prepare information regarding the limitation period for execution of a judgment
of conviction specified by The Criminal Law and send these documents to the relevant
European Union Member State. The Ministry of Justice shall send all materials concurrently
only to one European Union Member State.
Section 842. Sending of the Ruling Made in Latvia on an Alternative Sanction for the
Execution to a European Union Member State which is not the Permanent
Place of Residence of a Convicted Person
(1) A convicted person has the right to submit a submission regarding sending of the ruling
made in Latvia on an alternative sanction for the execution to a European Union Member State
which is not the permanent place of residence of a convicted person, if the remaining term of
the punishment not served or probationary measure applied that has not been executed is not
less than six months.
(2) A convicted person shall, until the commencement of the execution of the ruling made in
Latvia on an alternative sanction, submit the submission specified in Paragraph one of this
Section to the court, which rendered the judgment in first instance, but during the execution of
the ruling – to the court of first instance, which controls the execution of a judgment or decision.
Submitting a submission to a court shall not suspend the execution of an alternative sanction in
Latvia.
(3) Having received a submission, a judge of a court of first instance with the intermediation of
the Ministry of Justice shall ascertain the criteria specified by the relevant European Union
Member State for the execution of an alternative sanction.
(4) In conformity with the conditions of Paragraph three of this Section, an issue regarding
sending of a judgment regarding an alternative sanction for the execution to a European Union
Member State shall be decided by a judge of a court of first instance in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 651 of this Law. A judge, in conformity with Section 841,
Paragraphs one and four of this Law, shall send the ruling together with a certification of a
special form to the Ministry of Justice.
(5) Having received the ruling together with a certification of a special form from a court, the
Ministry of Justice shall ensure the translation of the certification, prepare information
regarding the limitation period for execution of a judgment of conviction specified by The
Criminal Law and send these documents to the relevant European Union Member State in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 841 of this Law.
Section 843. Consequences of Sending for the Execution of the Ruling Made in Latvia on
an Alternative Sanction
After sending for the execution of the ruling made in Latvia on an alternative sanction
to a European Union Member State and for the execution of a decision of the relevant Member
State on accepting it, the Latvian authorities shall not perform activities related to the execution
and supervision of the alternative sanction.
Section 844. Recovery of the Right to Execute the Ruling Made in Latvia on an Alternative
Sanction
(1) Latvia shall recover the right to execute the ruling on an alternative sanction if:
1) it revokes the ruling and the certification of a special form attached thereto regarding
the execution of an alternative sanction in a European Union Member State;
2) the relevant European Union Member State has returned the execution of an
alternative sanction to Latvia for further taking of a decision;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 322
3) the relevant European Union Member State has returned the execution of an
alternative sanction to Latvia if a convicted person does not have a permanent place of residence
in the European Union Member State anymore;
4) the relevant European Union Member State has returned the execution of an
alternative sanction to Latvia if a convicted person is evading the execution of the alternative
sanction and is not in the European Union Member State.
(2) If new criminal proceedings are initiated against a convicted person in Latvia after the ruling
on an alternative sanction has been sent for execution to a European Union Member State, a
court, which sent the ruling, may request the European Union Member State to return the
supervision of the alternative sanction.
Division Eighteen
Assistance in the Performance of Procedural Actions
Chapter 82 Assistance to a Foreign Country in the Performance of Procedural Actions
[24 May 2012]
Section 845. Grounds for the Assistance to a Foreign Country in the Performance of
Procedural Actions
The grounds for procedural assistance are the following:
1) a request of a foreign country regarding the provision of assistance in the performance
of a procedural action (hereinafter in this Chapter also – the request of a foreign country);
2) a decision of the competent authority of Latvia on admissibility of a procedural
action.
[24 May 2012]
Section 846. Competent Authorities in Examination of the Request of a Foreign Country
(1) In the pre-trial proceedings, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall examine and decide
the request of a foreign country, and up to the commencement of criminal prosecution the State
Police shall also examine and decide such request.
(2) After transfer of a case to a court, the Ministry of Justice shall examine and decide the
request of a foreign country.
(3) If states or their competent authorities have come to an agreement regarding direct contact,
the relevant institutions shall examine and decide requests.
[12 March 2009; 14 January 2010; 24 May 2012]
Section 847. Procedures for the Fulfilment of the Request of a Foreign Country
(1) The request of a foreign country regarding the provision of assistance in the performance of
a procedural action shall be fulfilled in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(2) A request may be fulfilled in accordance with other procedures if so requested by a foreign
country and if such execution is not in contradiction with the basic principles of the criminal
procedure of Latvia.
(3) Upon the request of a foreign country, the competent authority may permit a representative
of a foreign country to participate in the performance of procedural action, or to personally
perform such operation in the presence of a representative of the institution fulfilling the
request.
(4) A request regarding the provision of assistance in the performance of a procedural action in
proceedings against a legal person, if the request is submitted regarding the offence which is
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 323
criminally punishable in a foreign country, shall be executed regardless of the proceedings in
which it is requested in the foreign country.
[24 May 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 848. Deciding on the Request of a Foreign Country
(1) The request of a foreign country regarding the provision of assistance in the performance of
a procedural action shall be decided immediately, but not later than within 10 days after receipt
thereof. If additional information is necessary for deciding of a request, such information shall
be requested from the state that submitted the request.
(2) In examining the request of a foreign country, the competent authority shall take one of the
following decisions:
1) on possibility of the execution of the request, determining the institution that will
fulfil the request, terms, and other conditions;
2) on refusal to fulfil the request or a part thereof, substantiating the refusal.
(21) The decision on the possibility to execute the request of a foreign country for legal
assistance may also be taken in the form of a resolution.
(3) The country that submitted the request shall be, without delay, informed regarding the
decision taken, if the execution of the request or a part thereof has been rejected or if a foreign
country has so requested.
[24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 849. Execution of the Request of a Foreign Country
(1) An investigating institution, the Office of the Prosecutor or a court shall execute the request
of a foreign country under the assignment of the competent authority.
(2) The institution executing the request of a foreign country shall, in a timely manner, inform
the foreign country, on the basis of an order of the competent authority, regarding the time and
place of the performance of a procedural action. The competent authority shall send to the
foreign country the materials obtained as a result of the execution of the request.
(3) If a procedural action has not been performed or has been performed partially, a foreign
country shall be notified regarding the reasons for the non-execution of a request.
(4) If, in executing the request of a foreign country, facts are acquired for the further
examination of which the conduct of other emergency procedural actions is necessary, the
executor of the request is entitled, in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, to
perform such activities, notifying the initiator of the request thereof.
(5) The executor of the request of a foreign country, having determined during the execution of
the request objects and documents, the circulation is prohibited by law and withdrawal of which
is not justified in the request, shall withdraw such objects and documents, and write a separate
protocol regarding such withdrawal.
[24 May 2012]
Section 850. Reasons for the Refusal of the Execution of the Request of a Foreign Country
The execution of the request of a foreign country may be refused, if:
1) the request is related to a political offence, except the case when a request applies to
terrorism or financing of terrorism;
2) the execution of the request may harm the sovereignty, security, social order, or other
substantial interests of the State of Latvia;
3) sufficient information has not been submitted and the acquisition of additional
information is not possible.
[14 January 2010; 24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 324
Section 851. Performance of an Investigative Action by Using Technical Means
(1) A procedural action may be performed by using technical means upon the request of a
foreign country or upon a proposal of the institution fulfilling the request and with the consent
of a foreign country. A person who has the right to defence may be examined by using technical
means provided that the person agrees to it.
(2) A competent official of the state that submitted a request shall perform, in accordance with
the procedures of such state, a procedural action using technical means. If necessary, an
interpreter shall participate in the performance of such procedural action in Latvia or a foreign
country.
(3) A representative of the institution that fulfils a request shall certify the identity of involved
persons and ensure the progress of a procedural action in Latvia and the conformity thereof to
the basic principles of Latvian criminal procedure.
(4) If, in performing a procedural action, the basic principles of Latvian criminal procedure are
violated, a representative of the institution fulfilling a request shall immediately take measures
in order for such operation to continue in accordance with the referred to principles.
(5) A person who has been summoned to provide testimony has the right to not provide
testimony also in a case where such non-provision of testimony arises from the laws of the state
that submitted the request.
[24 May 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 852. Application of Compulsory Measures
Latvia may refuse the application of a compulsory measure regarding an offence that is
not criminally punishable in Latvia, if:
1) Latvia does not have a treaty regarding mutual legal assistance in criminal cases with
the state that submitted the request;
2) such treaty exists, but the foreign country has undertaken to apply compulsory
measures in such country only regarding offences that are criminally punishable in such
country.
[24 May 2012]
Section 853. Performance of Special Investigative Actions
A special investigative action shall be performed upon the request of a foreign country
only in a case where such operation would be admissible in criminal proceedings taking place
in Latvia regarding the same offence.
[24 May 2012]
Section 854. Temporary Transfer of a Person
(1) Upon the request of a foreign country, a person who has been detained in Latvia, is being
held under arrest in Latvia or is serving a punishment related to deprivation of liberty in Latvia
may be transferred for a specific term to the foreign country for the provision or confronting of
testimony provided that such person will be immediately transferred back to Latvia after
completion of the procedural action, but not later than the last day of the term of transferral.
(2) Transfer may be refused, if:
1) the person detained, arrested, or convicted does not agree to such transfer;
2) the presence of such person is necessary in criminal proceedings taking place in
Latvia;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 325
3) the transportation of the person extends the time period of arrest or prohibits the
possibility to complete criminal proceedings in Latvia in reasonable time periods;
4) other substantial reasons exist.
(3) The term that a person has spent, upon the request of a foreign country, under arrest in the
foreign country shall be included in the term of the security measure and the served punishment.
[24 May 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 855. Temporary Acceptance of a Person
(1) If a foreign country requests that a person who is being held under arrest, or is serving a
punishment related to deprivation of liberty, in such foreign country be located in Latvia during
a procedural action, the competent authority may permit the acceptance of such person during
the performance of the procedural action.
(2) A person who has been conveyed to Latvia upon the request of a foreign country shall be
held under arrest on the grounds of the documents referred to in Section 702, Paragraph one,
Clause 1 of this Law. After execution of the request, such persons shall be immediately
transferred back to the foreign country, but not later than the last day of the term of transfer.
[24 May 2012]
Section 856. Execution of the Temporary Transfer or Acceptance of a Person
The competent authority shall assign the country Police to co-ordinate with a foreign
country and perform the transfer or acceptance of a person for a term.
[24 May 2012; 18 February 2016]
Section 857. Immunity of a Person
(1) Criminal proceedings shall not be commenced or continued against a person regarding an
offence that was committed before the arrival of such person in Latvia if he or she arrived in
Latvia with the consent of Latvia for the execution of the request of a foreign country.
(2) The immunity specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall be terminated for a person
after 15 days from the moment when such person could leave the territory of Latvia, as well as
in the case where the person has left the territory of Latvia and then voluntarily returned to
Latvia.
[24 May 2012]
Section 858. Transfer of an Object to a Foreign Country
An object necessary as material evidence may be transferred to a foreign country upon
request of such foreign country. If necessary, the competent authority of Latvia shall request
guarantees that the object will be returned.
[24 May 2012]
Section 859. Procedures for the Issuance of Procedural Documents of a Foreign Country
Upon the request of a foreign country, the competent authority shall organise the
issuance of the procedural documents of a foreign country to a person in Latvia. A protocol
shall be written regarding such issuance in accordance with the requirements of Section 326 of
this Law.
[24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 326
Section 860. Execution of a Procedural Ruling of a European Union Member State
Regarding Provision of Property for Confiscation or Provision of Acquiring
Evidence in Latvia
(1) Seizure of a property or search requested by a European Union Member State in Latvia shall
be performed on the basis of procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or
on the provision of acquiring evidence issued by the competent authority of the European Union
Member State to which a certification is attached.
(2) The Office of the Prosecutor General upon receiving procedural ruling on the provision of
property for confiscation or on the provision of acquiring evidence if possible without delay but
not later than within 24 hours upon the receipt thereof shall:
1) evaluate the possibility for carrying out of procedural ruling on the provision of
property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence. If the execution of ruling is
possible it shall point the executive institution for such ruling and shall perform the necessary
action for execution thereof.
2) notify the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State
regarding the receipt for carrying out of ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or
provision of acquiring evidence or on the refusal of execution thereof by substantiating the
refusal.
(3) Procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation in Latvia shall be carried out
in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 28 of this Law, but the procedural
ruling on the provision of acquiring evidence in Latvia – in accordance with the procedures laid
down in Chapter 10 of this Law. For the seizure of a property or search the permission of an
investigating judge shall not be necessary.
(4) Execution conditions of procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or
provision of acquiring evidence specified by a European Union Member State shall be observed
insofar as they do not contradict to the basic principles of this Law.
(5) If upon execution of procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or
provision of acquiring evidence it is necessary to perform procedural actions additionally
indicated in this ruling, they shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures laid down
in this Law.
(6) If the procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of
acquiring evidence has been issued according to an offence referred to in Annex 2 to this Law,
and if such punishment of deprivation of liberty, the maximum limit of which is not less than
three years, is provided for commitment of the crime in the state, which issued the ruling, a
verification of whether such offence is criminal also according to the Law of Latvia shall not
be performed.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 861. Reasons for Refusal of the Execution of a Procedural Ruling of a European
Union Member State on the Provision of Property for Confiscation or
Provision of Acquiring Evidence
(1) The procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring
evidence shall be refused to be carried out if:
1) a certification has not been sent, is incomplete or is not related to the procedural ruling
on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence to which it has
been attached;
2) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law exists;
3) upon execution of procedural judgment regarding provision of property for
confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence a principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy
(ne bis in idem) is violated;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 327
4) the offence to which the procedural ruling on the provision of property for
confiscation or provision of evidence acquisition applies is not included in Annex 2 to this Law
and is not criminal according to the Law of Latvia with exception of cases when the procedural
ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence refers to
evasion of such taxes and fees that are not provided for in the laws and regulations of Latvia or
are provided for but the regulation thereof specified in laws and regulations of Latvia is different
from the regulation specified laws and regulations of the issuing state of the ruling.
(2) The Office of the Prosecutor General, within a framework of the case referred to in
Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Section is allowed to:
1) declare a term for submission or clarification of certification;
2) in exceptional cases, accept for examination an equivalent document if it contains
information that shall be indicated in the certification; and
3) release the competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling from the duty to
submit or clarify the certification, if it considers that the submitted information is complete.
(3) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall, without delay, notify the competent authority of
the issuing state of the ruling that it is not possible to perform the procedural ruling on the
provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence due to the documents,
items or property not being present in the location indicated in the certification or the indicated
location thereof is not indicated precisely enough, and its determination is also not possible
after communication in writing with the competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 862. Reasons for Deferral of the Execution of a Procedural Ruling on the
Provision of Property for Confiscation or Provision of Acquiring Evidence
of a European Union Member State
(1) Execution of a procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision
of acquiring evidence may be delayed if:
1) execution thereof may be harmful to a criminal proceeding initiated in Latvia;
2) the property indicated in the ruling is seized or the indicated items or documents are
withdrawn for another criminal proceedings in which the procedural ruling on the provision of
property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence is made – until the moment of
revoking the decision or the entering into effect of the final ruling in the criminal proceedings;
3) to the property indicated in the ruling on the seizure of a property, a burden is applied
according to other procedures – until the repeal of the burden or until the moment when the
final ruling enters into effect.
(2) Regarding deferral of execution of a procedural ruling on the provision of property for
confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence and the reasons thereof, the competent authority
of the issuing state of the ruling shall be notified, without delay, if possible indicating the time
to which the execution of deferral is postponed.
(3) A procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring
evidence shall be carried out immediately after elimination of the reasons for execution thereof
informing, without delay, the competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling.
(4) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform the competent authority of the issuing
state of the ruling on the any burden or restriction referring to the property that is indicated in
the ruling on the seizure of the property.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 328
Section 863. Storage in Latvia of the Withdrawn Documents, Items and Seized Property
(1) Withdrawn documents, items or seized property shall be stored insofar until the request of
legal assistance regarding transfer of documents and items or confiscation of property from the
competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling is received.
(2) A limited term regarding storage of the withdrawn documents, items and seized property
may be indicated taking into consideration an opinion of the issuing state that is expressed in
writing.
(3) If the competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling notifies of the revocation of a
procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring
evidence, the withdrawn documents, items or the seized property shall be returned to the owner,
lawful possessor, user or holder, but the seizure of the property shall be revoked.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 864. Further Activities in Latvia Regarding Withdrawn Documents, Items and
Seized Property
(1) If to the procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of
evidence acquisition a request for criminal-legal assistance is not attached, but in the
certification sending date thereof, until which documents and items or property to be
confiscated shall be stored, is indicated, the Office of the Prosecutor General may ask the
competent authority of the relevant European Union Member State to alter such term, as well
as to inform of the time up to which the storage of a document, item or property in Latvia shall
be suspended.
(2) A request for criminal-legal assistance regarding submission of documents and items
attached to the procedural ruling on the provision of property for confiscation or provision of
acquiring evidence shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Chapter 82 of this Law, but the request of criminal-legal assistance regarding confiscation of
property – in accordance with the procedures laid down in Chapter 74 or 75 of this Law.
(3) If the request of criminal-legal assistance regarding submission of documents and items is
applicable to the judgment referred to in Annex 2 to this Law and if regarding commitment
thereof in the state of issuing of request of criminal-legal assistance a punishment of deprivation
of liberty is provided for, the maximum limit of which is not smaller than three years, a
verification of whether this offence is criminal also according to the law of Latvia shall not be
performed.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 865. Submission of Complaints Regarding the Execution of a Procedural Ruling
on the Provision of Property for Confiscation or Provision of Acquiring
Evidence of a European Union Member State
(1) An activity related to execution of a procedural ruling on the provision of property for
confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence shall be appealed in accordance with the
procedures laid down in this Law.
(2) Submission of the complaint shall not suspend execution of a procedural ruling on the
provision of property for confiscation or on the provision of acquiring evidence.
(3) A complaint regarding reasons for issuing a procedural ruling on the provision of property
for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence shall be submitted only to the court of the
issuing state of the ruling .
(4) If a complaint regarding activity related to execution of a procedural ruling on the provision
of property for confiscation or provision of acquiring evidence has been received, the Office of
the Prosecutor General shall inform the competent authority of the issuing state of the ruling
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 329
regarding submission of the complaint and the justification thereof, as well as regarding the
result of examination of the complaint.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 866. Grounds for the Execution of a Decision Determining the Application of a
Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
The grounds for the execution of a decision of a European Union Member State
determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty shall be:
1) a decision taken by the competent authority of the European Union Member State
determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty or a
certified copy thereof and a certification of a special form;
2) a decision of the Office of the Prosecutor General to recognise and execute in Latvia
the decision of the European Union Member State determining the application of a security
measure not related to deprivation of liberty.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 867. Conditions for the Execution of a Decision Determining the Application of a
Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) A decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of
liberty shall be executed if a person has a permanent place of residence in Latvia and the person
has agreed to return to Latvia and if any of the following prohibitions or duties has been
indicated in a certification of a special form:
1) a duty to inform the competent authority of Latvia regarding change of the place of
residence;
2) a prohibition to visit certain areas, places or territories in the European Union Member
State, in which the decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty was taken, or in Latvia;
3) a duty to be in a specific place at a specific time;
4) a prohibition to leave Latvia;
5) a duty to report to the indicated authority at a specific time;
6) a prohibition to contact specific persons in relation to a potential offence;
7) a prohibition to perform certain activities that are related to a potential offence and
that may concern work in a specific profession or field of employment;
8) a prohibition to drive a vehicle.
(2) A decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of
liberty may be executed also if a person does not reside permanently in Latvia, however, has
expressed a request to execute the security measure not related to deprivation of liberty applied
thereto in Latvia and if one of the following conditions is present:
1) the person has employment legal relationship in Latvia;
2) the person has family relationship in Latvia;
3) the person is acquiring education in Latvia.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 868. Reasons for the Refusal to Execute a Decision Determining the Application
of a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
Execution of a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty may be refused, if:
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 330
1) a certification of a special form is incomplete or does not conform to the decision
determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty and it has
not been updated in the specified period of time;
2) an offence to which the decision determining the application of a security measure
not related to deprivation of liberty applies is not included in Annex 2 to this Law and is not
criminal according to the laws of Latvia, except cases where such decision applies to evasion
of payment of such taxes and fees or conformity with the customs and currency exchange
regulations, which are not provided for in laws and regulations of Latvia or are provided for,
however, their regulation specified in laws and regulations of Latvia differs from the regulation
specified in the laws and regulations of the European Union Member State, which took the
decision;
3) a certification of a special form contains a prohibition or duty, which is not included
in Section 867, Paragraph one of this Law;
4) the conditions specified in Section 867 of this Law for the execution of a security
measure not related to deprivation of liberty do not exist;
5) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) will be violated
when executing the decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty;
6) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law exists;
7) the limitation period for criminal liability has set in and the decision determining the
application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty pertains to an offence that
is in the jurisdiction of Latvia;
8) the person has not reached the age from which criminal liability applies;
9) in case if a security measure is violated Latvia cannot extradite the person to a
European Union Member State according to Section 66 of this Law.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 869. Deferral of Recognition of a Decision Determining the Application of a
Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) If a certification of a special form is incomplete or does not conform to the content of a
decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty,
the Office of the Prosecutor General may defer the recognition thereof, informing the relevant
European Union Member State regarding a necessity of updating it within a specific period of
time.
(2) If the reasons for refusal specified in Section 868, Paragraph one, Clause 1, 3, 4 or 5 of this
Law exist, the Office of the Prosecutor General may defer the recognition of a decision of a
European Union Member State, informing the relevant European Union Member State
regarding a necessity of submitting additional information within a specific period of time.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 870. Recognition of a Decision Determining the Application of a Security Measure
not Related to Deprivation of Liberty and Determination of a Security
Measure
(1) Having received a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty and a certification of a special form, the Office of the Prosecutor General
shall, within 20 working days, examine the documents and take one of the following decisions:
1) on consent to recognise and execute the decision determining the application of a
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 331
2) on refusal to recognise and execute the decision determining the application of a
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty.
(2) If a person has appealed a decision determining the application of a security measure not
related to deprivation of liberty in a European Union Member State, the decision referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section shall be taken within 40 working days from the day when the
decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty
and a certification of a special form was received.
(3) If the reasons for refusal specified in Section 869 of this Law exist, the Office of the
Prosecutor General shall take the decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section within
20 working days from the day when additional information was received from a European
Union Member State or the time period for the provision or updating of information specified
by the Office of the Prosecutor General has expired.
(4) If the Office of the Prosecutor General cannot conform to the time period specified in
Paragraphs one and two of this Section, it shall inform the relevant European Union Member
State, indicating the reasons for delay and the time period necessary for taking of a decision on
recognition and execution in Latvia of a decision of a European Union Member State
determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty.
(5) In taking the decision specified in Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Section, the Office of the
Prosecutor General shall determine a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty to
be executed in Latvia and the particular prohibition or duty provided for within the scope of the
security measure.
(6) The security measure not related to deprivation of liberty determined in Latvia shall not
deteriorate the condition of the person to whom the security measure not related to deprivation
of liberty has been applied in a European Union Member State, and it shall, as much as possible,
conform to the security measure not related to deprivation of liberty applied in the relevant
European Union Member State.
(7) The decision of the Office of the Prosecutor General shall not be subject to appeal.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 871. Execution of a Decision Determining the Application of a Security Measure
not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall send a decision on consent to recognise and
execute a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation
of liberty to a European Union Member State, concurrently requesting to inform it regarding
the specific date when a person must report to the State Police of Latvia. After receipt of
information the Office of the Prosecutor General shall send the decision and information of the
relevant European Union Member State to the police authority according to the place of
residence of the person.
(2) Execution of a security measure in Latvia shall be commenced from the time when a person
had to report to the police authority according to his or her place of residence.
(3) The security measure indicated in the decision determining application of a security measure
not related to the deprivation of liberty shall be executed in accordance with the procedures laid
down in this Law. In pre-trial proceedings, the time period for the application of a security
measure may not exceed the time period specified in Section 389 of this Law.
(4) Execution of a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty shall not restrict the right to hold the relevant person criminally liable, to
adjudicate or to execute a punishment to him or her for a criminal offence committed in the
territory of Latvia.
[24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 332
Section 872. Submission of Complaints Regarding a Decision Determining the
Application of a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
A complaint regarding the reasons for taking a decision determining the application of
a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty shall be submitted only to the competent
authority of the European Union Member State, which took the decision.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 873. Termination of the Execution of a Decision Determining the Application of a
Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) Execution of a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty shall be terminated if:
1) the person does not have a permanent place of residence in Latvia;
2) a European Union Member State has revoked a decision determining the application
of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty, and a certification of a special form;
3) a European Union Member State has taken a decision to amend a security measure
and Latvia refuses to execute the amended security measure in accordance with Section 868,
Clause 3 of this Law;
4) the maximum time period for the application of a security measure indicated in a
certification of a special form has expired;
5) Latvia has taken a decision to terminate the execution of a decision determining the
application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty because the Office of the
Prosecutor General has several times informed a European Union Member State regarding the
violations of the security measure or provided information, which could be the reason for
amending the security measure, but the relevant European Union Member State has not taken
such decision within the time period specified by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
(2) Upon request of a European Union Member State the Office of the Prosecutor General shall
take a decision to extend the time period for execution of a security measure. If the request
refers to pre-trial proceedings, the time period for the application of a security measure may not
exceed the time period specified in Section 389 of this Law.
(3) If a European Union Member State has taken a decision to amend a security measure and to
apply such security measure, which is related to deprivation of liberty, Latvia shall terminate
the execution of a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty. Extradition of a person to a European Union Member State shall be
performed in accordance with Chapter 66 of this Law.
[24 May 2012; 27 September 2018]
Section 874. Decisions Taken by a European Union Member State Binding to Latvia in
Relation to a Decision Determining the Application of a Security Measure
not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) Decisions of a European Union Member State determining the amending or revocation of a
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty shall be binding to Latvia.
(2) If a European Union Member State takes a decision to amend a decision determining the
application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty, the Office of the
Prosecutor General shall recognise the decision and determine a security measure in accordance
with Section 870 of this Law. If the decision taken is not recognised and the prohibition or duty
does not conform to Section 867, Paragraph one of this Law, the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall refuse to apply the amended security measure.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 333
(3) In deciding an issue regarding recognition of a decision amending a security measure, the
Office of the Prosecutor General shall evaluate only the reason for refusal specified in
Section 868, Clause 3 of this Law.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 875. Notifications to a European Union Member State
(1) In executing the security measure applied, the State Police shall inform the Office of the
Prosecutor General regarding:
1) the change in the place of residence of a person;
2) violations of the security measure, as well as other facts, which could be the reason
for taking a subsequent decision to amend the security measure;
3) inability to execute a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty, if a person
is not reachable;
4) threat that a person may cause to the victim and the society.
(2) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform a European Union Member State:
1) regarding a decision on refusal to recognise and execute the decision determining the
application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty;
2) regarding the conditions indicated in Paragraph one of this Section, as well as the
facts, which could be the reason for amending the security measure, determining a time period
during which the European Union Member State should take a decision. The Office of the
Prosecutor General shall prepare a report on violations of the prohibitions or duties imposed,
as well as other facts, which may be the grounds for taking a subsequent decision, filling in the
relevant special document provided for in criminal legal co-operation with European Union
Member States.
(3) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall inform a European Union Member State and the
police authority according to the place of residence of a person regarding the decision taken by
the Office of the Prosecutor General to terminate the execution of a security measure because
the conditions of Section 873, Paragraph one, Clause 5 of this Law have set it, and for the time
period the execution of a security measure shall be taken over by the relevant European Union
Member State.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Chapter 82.1 Recognition and Execution of a European Investigation Order
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.1 European Investigation Order
A European Investigation Order is a request by a competent authority of the European
Union Member State to perform a procedural action to obtain evidence in the territory of other
European Union Member State or a request regarding receipt of the evidence which is already
at the disposal of competent authorities of the European Union Member State. The European
Investigation Order shall be taken by filling in a document of a special sample.
[30 March 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 334
Section 875.2 Competent Authorities and Executing Authorities of Latvia for
Examination, Verification, Recognition and Execution of a European
Investigation Order
(1) In the pre-trial proceedings, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall examine and
recognise a European Investigation Order, and up to the commencement of criminal
prosecution – also the State Police.
(2) After transfer of a case to the court a European Investigation Order shall be examined and
verified by the Ministry of Justice, whereas the decision regarding recognition and execution
shall be taken by the court.
(3) In the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law the direct
communication between an executing and issuing authority of a European Investigation Order
is permissible. An executing authority shall be any investigating institution, a unit of the Office
of the Prosecutor or court to which a competent authority of Latvia has assigned to execute a
European Investigation Order.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.3 Verification, Recognition and Execution of a European Investigation Order
in Pre-trial Proceedings
(1) A competent authority of Latvia, after having received a European Investigation Order, shall
immediately, however not later than within seven days, notify a competent authority of the
European Union Member State thereof by completing an approval of receipt of the European
Investigation Order, and verify whether there are grounds for refusal of recognition and
execution provided for in this Law.
(2) Before taking a decision to recognise and execute a European Investigation Order a
competent authority of Latvia shall assess whether the result indicated in the European
Investigation Order can be achieved by procedural actions which require less intervention in
the life of a person. The competent authority of Latvia shall inform the competent authority of
the European Union Member State regarding all considerations and, where possible, agree on
the performance of another procedural action which requires less intervention in the life of a
person.
(3) Having not established the grounds for recognition and execution, a competent authority of
Latvia shall take a decision to recognise a European Investigation order and transfer it for
execution by determining an executing authority. A decision may also be taken in the manner
of a resolution. A decision shall not be subject to appeal.
(4) A competent authority of Latvia, according to institutional jurisdiction, shall execute a
European Investigation Order itself or transfer it to an executing authority.
(5) A competent authority of Latvia shall inform a competent authority of the European Union
Member State regarding execution results by sending the materials obtained in the result of
execution. In order to ensure faster and more efficient transfer of the materials obtained in the
result of execution, the executing authority may transfer them directly to the competent
authority of the European Union Member State by informing the competent authority of Latvia
thereof.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.4 Verification, Recognition and Execution of a European Investigation Order
After Transfer of a Case to the Court
(1) Having received a European Investigation Order, the Ministry of Justice shall immediately,
however not later than within seven days, notify a competent authority of the European Union
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 335
Member State thereof by completing an approval of receipt of the European Investigation
Order.
(2) The Ministry of Justice shall, within 10 days from the day of receipt of a European
Investigation Order (if the amount of materials is extremely large – within 30 days), verify
whether all necessary materials are received, and send the materials after the verification to the
district (city) court for taking a decision to recognise and execute the European Investigation
Order in Latvia.
(3) If translation of documents is necessary, verification of materials shall take place within the
time periods referred to in Paragraph two of this Section after receipt of the translation.
(4) Before execution of a European Investigation Order, the court shall assess whether the result
to be achieved indicated in the European Investigation Order can be achieved by procedural
actions which require less intervention in the life of a person. The court which executes the
European Investigation Order shall inform the competent authority of the European Union
Member State regarding all considerations and, where possible, agree on the performance of
another investigative action which requires less intervention in the life of a person.
(5) The Ministry of Justice shall inform a competent authority of the European Union Member
State regarding the results of execution by sending the materials obtained in the result of
execution. In order to ensure faster and more efficient transfer of the materials obtained in the
result of execution, the court may transfer them directly to the competent authority of the
European Union Member State by informing the Ministry of Justice thereof.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.5 Time Periods for Recognition and Execution of a European Investigation
Order
(1) A competent authority of Latvia shall take a decision to recognise and execute a European
Investigation Order as soon as possible, however not later than within 30 days after receipt of
the European Investigation Order. Where translation of the documents is required, the decision
shall be taken as soon as possible, however not later than within 30 days from the day of receipt
of the translation.
(2) If in a European Investigation Order it is requested to perform a procedural action in order
to prevent destruction, hiding or damaging of such items which could be used as evidence
(temporary measure), a competent authority of Latvia shall assess it and, where possible,
immediately, however not later than within 24 hours from the moment of receipt of such order,
take a decision to take a temporary measure for ensuring the evidence.
(3) If a justification for performance of a procedural action is indicated in a European
Investigation Order or a certain day is specified when the procedural action is to be performed,
a competent authority of Latvia shall comply with it, as far as possible, when taking a decision
on recognition and execution, and when determining an executing authority.
(4) If it is not possible to take a decision to recognise and execute a European Investigation
Order within the time period laid down in Paragraph one of this Section or it is not possible to
perform a procedural action on the day specified in a European Investigation Order, a competent
authority of Latvia shall immediately inform a competent authority of the European Union
Member State thereof by using any available means of communication and specifying the
reasons for delay and the estimated time when the European Investigation Order could be
recognised and executed. In such case the time period laid down in Paragraph one of this Section
within which a decision to recognise a European Investigation Order should be taken may be
extended for a time period no longer than 30 days.
(5) An executing authority shall execute the procedural action indicated in a European
Investigation Order as soon as possible, however not later than within 90 days after taking the
decision referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, unless there are other reasons for
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 336
postponing execution. The European Investigation Order shall be immediately executed if the
evidence is already at the disposal of the executing authority.
(6) If an executing authority detects that it will not be possible to perform the procedural action
provided for in the European Investigation Order within the time period laid down in Paragraph
five of this Section, it shall inform a competent authority of the European Union Member State
by using any available means of communication regarding the reasons for delay and agree
regarding further action. The executing authority shall inform the competent authority of Latvia
regarding communication with the competent authority of the European Union Member State.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.6 Reasons for Refusal of Recognition and Execution of a European
Investigation Order
(1) Recognition and execution of a European Investigation Order may be refused if:
1) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law or the
criminal procedural procedures in relation to freedom of press and expression exist that make
execution of the European Investigation Order impossible;
2) the execution in a particular case would harm substantial national security interests,
jeopardise a source of information or would be related with disclosure of such information
which substantially harms criminal proceedings or operational activities;
3) it has been issued for the offence which in accordance with the Criminal Law is not
criminal, except for the cases when it is included in Annex 2 to this Law and in the European
Union Member State which has issued the European Investigation Order, for which the
punishment of deprivation of liberty the maximum limit of which is not less than three years is
provided for;
4) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) would be
infringed;
5) there are significant reasons that cause basis for assumption that excessive
intervention in the life of a person would occur;
6) the procedural action would not be admissible in criminal proceedings taking place
in Latvia regarding the same offence.
(2) Paragraph one, Clauses 3 and 6 of this Section shall not apply to procedural actions which
are provided for in Section 875.10, Paragraph two of this Law.
(3) If the reasons for refusal of recognition and execution of a European Investigation Order
indicated in Paragraph one of this Section exist, or if a competent authority of Latvia has
grounds to consider that recognition of such order could incommensurably infringe the rights
of the person who has the right to defence, a competent authority of Latvia shall, prior to take
a decision to partly or fully recognise and execute the European Investigation or to refuse to
recognise and execute such order, communicate with a competent authority of the European
Union Member State by using any available means of communication, and, where necessary,
ask it to immediately provide the necessary information.
(4) The fact, that a European Investigation Order applies to offences which are related to
avoiding from payment of such taxes and duties which are not provided in the laws and
regulations of Latvia or are provided therein, but the regulation thereof which is laid down in
the laws and regulation of Latvia is different, may not be the reason for refusal of recognition
and execution.
(5) After receipt of a European Investigation Order from a competent authority of Latvia, an
executing authority shall, in order to perform a procedural action provided therein, perform the
necessary actions in order to revoke the immunity laid down in Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this
Section or comply with special procedural procedures. If revocation of the immunity or
complying with special procedural procedures is within a competence of other State or
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 337
international organisation, the executing authority shall inform the competent authority of the
European Union Member State thereof.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.7 Reasons and Time Periods for Postponing Execution of a European
Investigation Order
(1) Execution of a European Investigation Order may be postponed if:
1) execution thereof may harm criminal proceedings commenced in Latvia – for a time
period which is to be considered as substantiated;
2) items, documents or data which are requested in this order are used in other
proceedings – until the time when they are not necessary for such purpose.
(2) Having established the reasons for postponing the execution provided for in Paragraph one
of this Section, an executing authority shall inform the competent authority of the European
Union Member State and Latvia.
(3) As soon as the reasons for postponing the execution of the European Investigation Order
provided for in Paragraph one of this Law do not exist, an executing authority shall inform the
competent authority of the European Union Member State and Latvia and immediately take the
measures necessary for the execution of this order.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.8 Execution of Procedural Action Requested in a European Investigation
Order
Execution of a procedural action requested in a European Investigation Order shall take
place by complying with the procedures laid down in this Law regarding performance of
procedural actions and international co-operation in the field of criminal law.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.9 Action After Receipt of a Notification Regarding Control of Means of
Communication in the Territory of Latvia without Technical Assistance of
Latvia
If a notification regarding control of the means of communication in the territory of
Latvia without technical assistance of Latvia is received from a competent authority of the
European Union Member State, a competent authority of Latvia shall assess the received
notification and whether the control of the means of communication would be permissible in
criminal proceedings occurring in Latvia for the same offence, and not later than within
96 hours inform the competent authority of the European Union Member State if::
1) the control of the means of communication may not be carried out, whereas the
commenced control of the means of communication must be discontinued;
2) the information obtained in the result of the control of the means of communication
carried out in the territory of Latvia may not be used in proving by indicating reasons which
substantiate such prohibition.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.10 Replacement of a Procedural Action Requested in a European Investigation
Order with Equal Procedural Action
(1) If a procedural action requested in a European Investigation Order is not provided for in this
Law or it would not be permissible in criminal proceedings occurring in Latvia for the same
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 338
offence, an executing authority shall perform other equal procedural action in order to achieve
the result indicated in the European Investigation Order.
(2) The provisions of Paragraph one of this Section shall not apply to:
1) acquiring such evidence which already is at the disposal of the executing authority;
2) acquiring such information which is located in the information system available for
an executing authority and executing authority could obtain it through criminal proceedings
occurring in Latvia;
3) examining a witness, expert, victim and person who has the right to defence;
4) acquiring such data to be stored which enable to identify the user or subscriber of a
particular phone number or Internet protocol (IP) address.
(3) If a procedural action requested in a European Investigation Order is not intended in this
Law or it could not be permissible in criminal proceedings occurring in Latvia for the same
offence and it is not possible to perform other procedural action in order to achieve the result
indicated in the European Investigation Order, a competent authority of Latvia shall inform the
competent authority of the European Union Member State regarding impossibility of execution
of the European Investigation Order.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.11 Transfer of Evidence
(1) An executing authority shall transfer the evidence obtained in the result of execution of the
European Investigation Order to a competent authority of the European Union Member State.
The executing authority shall indicate whether evidence is to be transferred back to the
executing authority after it is not necessary anymore in criminal proceedings occurring in the
European Union Member State.
(2) If a person has disputed the European Investigation Order taken by a competent authority
of the European Union Member State or procedures for the execution of the European
Investigation Order and permissibility of evidence obtained in the result thereof, an executing
authority may postpone transfer of evidence until the time when a claim is decided.
[30 March 2017]
Section 875.12 Submitting a Claim Regarding Execution of a European Investigation
Order
(1) Action related to execution of a European Investigation order shall be appealed in
accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
(2) Submission of a claim regarding substantiation for taking a European Investigation Order
and procedural action requested shall not suspend the execution thereof, except for the case
when the consequences of submission of such claim are provided for in accordance with the
national regulation of the European Union Member State which has taken the European
Investigation Order, and a competent authority of the European Union Member State has
informed the executing authority thereof.
(3) A claim regarding substantiation for taking a European Investigation Order shall be
submitted to a competent authority of the European Union Member State which has taken the
European Investigation Order and it shall examine and decide regarding such claim.
(4) If a claim is received regarding the action related with execution of a European Investigation
Order, a competent authority of Latvia shall inform a competent authority of the European
Union Member State regarding the receipt and substantiation of the claim, and also regarding
the results of examination of the claim.
[30 March 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 339
Chapter 83 Request to a Foreign Country Regarding the Performance of Procedural
Actions
[24 May 2012]
Section 876. Procedures for the Submission of a Request
(1) If the performance of a procedural action in a foreign country is necessary in criminal
proceedings, the person directing the proceedings shall turn to the competent authority with a
written proposal to request that the foreign country performs the procedural action. The request
and other documents provided for in Section 877, Paragraph one of this Law shall be attached
to the proposal.
(2) The proposal shall be examined within 10 days, and the submitter shall be informed
regarding the results.
(21) The proposal may be refused if severity and nature of the criminal offence is not
commensurable with expenses associated with sending the request, or the objective of criminal
proceedings may be achieved by other means.
(3) If the proposal is found to be justified, the competent authority shall send a request to a
foreign country.
[12 March 2009; 24 May 2012; 20 December 2012; 30 March 2017]
Section 877. Request Regarding the Performance of a Procedural Action in a Foreign
Country
(1) A request regarding the performance of a procedural action in a foreign country shall be
written in accordance with Section 678 of this Law, and such documents shall be attached to
the request, which would be necessary if the procedural action were to be performed in Latvia
in accordance with this Law.
(2) The following may be requested of a foreign country:
1) to allow a Latvian official to participate in the performance of a procedural action;
2) to notify the time and place of the performance of a procedural action;
3) to perform a procedural action by using technical means.
(3) If a foreign country requests additional information, it shall be provided by the competent
authority by consulting with the submitter of a request in case of necessity.
[14 January 2010; 24 May 2012]
Section 878. Request Regarding the Temporary Transfer of a Person
(1) The competent authority may request, on the basis of a written proposal of the person
directing the proceedings, that a person who has been detained in a foreign country, is being
held under arrest in a foreign country, or is serving a punishment related to deprivation of liberty
in a foreign country be transferred for a specific term for the performance of procedural actions.
(11) A person who has been conveyed to Latvia upon request of Latvia shall be held under arrest
on the grounds of the document referred to in Section 702, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law.
After execution of the request, such persons shall be immediately transferred back to the foreign
country, but not later than the last day of the term of transfer.
(2) The competent authority may request, on the basis of a proposal of the person directing the
proceedings, a foreign country to accept for a term a person who is being held under arrest, or
is serving a punishment related to deprivation of liberty, in Latvia, if the presence of such person
is necessary for the execution of a procedural action in the foreign country.
[24 May 2012; 30 March 2017]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 340
Section 879. Immunity of a Person Summoned to Latvia
(1) Criminal proceedings shall not be commenced or continued against a person regarding an
offence that was committed before the arrival of such person in Latvia if he or she arrived in
Latvia on the basis of a summons of a Latvian institution for the performance of procedural
actions.
(2) The immunity specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall be terminated for a person
after 15 days from the moment when such person could leave Latvia, as well as in the case
where the person has left Latvia and then voluntarily returned to Latvia.
[24 May 2012]
Section 880. Taking of the Decision on the Seizure of a Property or the Decision on a
Search and Sending to a European Union Member State
(1) Seizure of a property in another European Union Member State shall take place on the basis
of a decision on the seizure of a property taken by the person directing the proceedings in pre-
trial proceedings and approved by the investigating judge. Search in another European Union
Member State shall be performed on the basis of the decision on a search taken by the
investigating judge.
(2) The information referred to in Section 180, Paragraph two of this Law shall be indicated in
the decision on a search, but in the decision on the seizure of a property – information referred
to in Section 361, Paragraph five of this Law.
(3) The investigating judge, upon approval of the decision on the seizure of a property taken by
the person directing the proceedings or upon taking of the decision on a search, shall, without
delay but not later than within three working days, complete a certification of a special form,
informing the person directing the proceedings thereof. The person directing the proceedings
shall provide the translation of the certification in the official language of the relevant European
Union Member State or in the language which has been indicated by the relevant European
Union Member State for the receipt of certification to the General Secretariat of the Council of
the European Union.
(4) In the stage of trial the decision on the seizure of a property or the decision on a search shall
be taken, certification shall be completed and the translation thereof shall be provided by a court
in the proceedings of which the criminal case is located.
(5) The person directing the proceedings shall submit the decision on the seizure of a property
or the decision on a search, the certification and the translation thereof, to the Office of the
Prosecutor General which shall, without delay but not later than within three working days,
send it to the competent authority of the relevant European Union Member State.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 881. Requesting of Submission of Documents and Items and Confiscation of
Property
(1) In order to request the submission of the withdrawn documents and items or to confiscate
the property which is seized, a relevant request for criminal-legal assistance shall be attached
to the decision on a search or to the decision on the seizure of a property.
(2) Upon the receipt of a request for the criminal-legal assistance referred to in Paragraph one
of this Section from the person directing the proceedings or court, the Office of the Prosecutor
General or, if the request refers to the confiscation of property – the Ministry of Justice, shall
send it together with the decision referred to in Section 880, Paragraph one of this Law and the
certification.
(3) If it is not possible to send the request for criminal-legal assistance referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section concurrently with the decision on the seizure of a property or with the
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 341
decision on a search, a term for sending the request for criminal-legal assistance until which the
documents, items or seized property shall be stored shall be indicated in the certification.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 882. Consequences of Submitting a Complaint Regarding the Execution of the
Decision, Taken in Latvia, on the Seizure of a Property or of the Decision
on a Search
(1) If information from the competent authority of the executing state has been received that a
complaint regarding execution of the decision, taken in Latvia, on the seizure of a property or
of a decision on a search has been received, the Office of the Prosecutor General may send to
the competent authority of the executing state arguments which are necessary for the
examination of the complaint.
(2) An appeal of the decision on the seizure of a property or of decision on a search in Latvia
shall not suspend its execution in the executing state.
[22 November 2007; 24 May 2012]
Section 883. Conditions for Sending a Decision, Taken in Latvia, Determining the
Application of a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty for
the Execution to a European Union Member State
(1) A decision, taken in Latvia, determining the application of a security measure not related to
deprivation of liberty may be executed in a European Union Member State, if a person has a
permanent place of residence therein and the relevant person has agreed to return to the
European Union Member State.
(2) Upon request of a person a decision, taken in Latvia, determining the application of a
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty may be sent for execution to a European
Union Member State also if the person does not reside permanently in the relevant European
Union Member State, however, he or she has indicated a place of residence in the European
Union Member State where he or she will be reachable, and the relevant European Union
Member State has declared such condition.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 884. Sending of a Decision, Taken in Latvia, Determining the Application of a
Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty for the Execution
to a European Union Member State
(1) If the conditions referred to in Section 883 of this Law have been established, the person
directing the proceedings may turn to the Office of the Prosecutor General with a written
proposal to request a European Union Member State to execute a decision determining the
application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty.
(2) The information referred to in Section 678 of this Law shall be indicated in the proposal and
the following shall be attached thereto:
1) a certified copy of a decision determining the application of a security measure not
related to deprivation of liberty;
2) a certified copy of a decision to recognise a person as a suspect or on holding of a
person criminally liable;
3) the text of the section of the law on the basis of which a person is held suspect or held
criminally liable, as well as the texts of the sections of the law that regulate the limitation period
and the classification of a criminal offence;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 342
4) a written consent of a person to execution of a security measure in a European Union
Member State or a written request of the person to allow that he or she returns to the relevant
European Union Member State;
5) other information, which may be necessary for completing a certification of a special
form.
(3) The proposal shall be examined within 10 days after receipt thereof at the Office of the
Prosecutor General and the person directing the proceedings shall be informed regarding the
results.
(4) If there are grounds for the execution of a decision determining the application of a security
measure not related to deprivation of liberty, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall
complete a certification of a special form and shall send it together with the decision
determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty to a
European Union Member State. The Office of the Prosecutor General shall ensure the
translation of the certification of a special form and the decision determining the application of
a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty in the language indicated in the
declaration of the relevant European Union Member State. The certification of a special form
together with the decision shall be sent concurrently only to one European Union Member State.
(5) If a decision determining the application of a security measure not related to deprivation of
liberty has been appealed, the person directing the proceedings shall inform a European Union
Member State thereof with the intermediation of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 885. Recovery of the Right to Execute a Decision, Taken in Latvia, Determining
the Application of a Security Measure not Related to Deprivation of Liberty
(1) Latvia shall execute a decision determining the application of a security measure not related
to deprivation of liberty until the time when a European Union Member State informs that it
recognises the decision. The Office of the Prosecutor General shall send a notification of the
relevant European Union Member State to the person directing the proceedings who shall
acquaint the person therewith to whom the security measure not related to deprivation of liberty
has been applied and explain his or her duty to arrive to the European Union Member State for
the execution of the security measure.
(2) The Office of the Prosecutor General, upon a request of the person directing the proceedings,
may revoke a certification of a special form and a decision determining the application of a
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty, if the security measure applied in the
relevant European Union Member State does not conform to the security measure applied in
Latvia or an insufficient maximum period of time for the execution of the security measure has
been specified.
(3) Latvia shall recover the right to execute a security measure not related to deprivation of
liberty, if:
1) the Office of the Prosecutor General, upon a request of the person directing the
proceedings, revokes a certification of a special form and a decision determining the execution
of a security measure not related to deprivation of liberty in the relevant European Union
Member State;
2) a European Union Member State has returned the execution of a security measure not
related to deprivation of liberty to Latvia because the person does not have a permanent place
of residence in the relevant European Union Member State anymore or the person cannot be
reached in the state;
3) Latvia takes a decision to amend a security measure and a European Union Member
State refuses to oversee the amended security measure;
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 343
4) the maximum period of time for the application of a security measure specified in a
European Union Member State has expired;
5) a European Union Member State has taken a decision to terminate the execution of a
security measure.
(4) If the maximum period of time indicated in Paragraph three, Clause 4 of this Law for the
application of a security measure specified in a European Union Member State has expired, the
Office of the Prosecutor General, upon a request of the person directing the proceedings, may
request the competent authority of the Member State to extend the application of a security
measure, indicating the time period for extension.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 886. Right to Amend and Revoke Decisions
During the time period when a European Union Member State executes the security
measure not related to deprivation of liberty applied in Latvia, the person directing the
proceedings has the right to amend or revoke the decision to apply a security measure in
accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 887. Action of Latvia during the Execution of a Security Measure not Related to
Deprivation of Liberty in a European Union Member State
(1) Having received a request from a European Union Member State to provide information
regarding the necessity of continuing the execution of the applied security measure not related
to deprivation of liberty, the Office of the Prosecutor General shall send it to the person directing
the proceedings.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall assess the request received and:
1) if during the application of a security measure the grounds for the application thereof
have not ceased to exist or changed, inform a European Union Member State thereof without
delay with the intermediation of the Office of the Prosecutor General, indicating the necessary
time period for the application of the security measure;
2) if during the application of a security measure the grounds for the application thereof
have ceased to exist or changed, take a decision to amend or revoke the security measure,
informing a European Union Member State thereof without delay with the intermediation of
the Office of the Prosecutor General, sending a copy of the decision thereto and revoking a
certification of a special form.
(3) The person directing the proceedings with the intermediation of the Office of the Prosecutor
General shall, without delay, inform a European Union Member State regarding all decisions
taken, which amend or otherwise concern the decision taken on application of a security
measure, as well as regarding the fact that a person has appealed the decision taken, and provide
the necessary information in order to avoid discontinuation of the execution of a security
measure.
(4) If a person has appealed the decision determining the execution of a security measure not
related to deprivation of liberty and the person directing the proceedings has taken a decision
to amend the security measure and to determine other security measure not related to the
deprivation of liberty, sending of the decision for the execution to a European Union Member
State shall be performed in accordance with Section 884 of this Law. In such case the decision
to amend a security measure shall enter into effect from the time when the European Union
Member State informs that it recognises the decision.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 344
(5) If necessary, the person directing the proceedings with the intermediation of the Office of
the Prosecutor General shall consult with the competent authority of a European Union Member
State and, upon taking a decision to amend or revoke a security measure, shall take into account
the information provided by the relevant European Union Member State regarding the threat,
which the person may cause to the victim and the society.
[24 May 2012 / The Section shall come into force on 1 December 2012. See Paragraph 39 of
Transitional Provisions]
Chapter 83.1 Taking a European Investigation Order and Transfer for Execution
Thereof
[30 March 2017]
Section 887.1 Taking a European Investigation Order Up to Commencing a Criminal
Prosecution
(1) If a procedural action is required to be carried out in criminal proceedings up to commencing
a criminal prosecution in the territory of other European Union member State, the person
directing the proceedings shall, by assessing its necessity and proportionality in respect to a
criminal offence to be investigated, prepare a European Investigation Order by completing a
document of a special form. Prior to preparing the European Investigation order the person
directing the proceedings shall, by complying with the procedures laid down in this Law,
perform all actions which would be necessary if a procedural action would be performed in
Latvia in accordance with this Law.
(2) The person directing the proceedings shall send the prepared European Investigation Order
together with the materials of the criminal case to the supervising prosecutor for approval.
(3) A supervising prosecutor shall, within five working days from the day of receipt of the
European Investigation Order, verify the conformity of the procedural action requested from
the European Union Member State with the requirements of this Law and assess the necessity
and proportionality thereof in respect of the criminal offence to be investigated. The person
directing the proceedings shall send the European Investigation Order approved by the
supervising prosecutor to the competent authority of Latvia.
(4) The person directing the proceedings shall provide the translation of the certification in the
official language of the relevant European Union Member State or in the language which has
been indicated by the relevant European Union Member State for the receipt of certification to
the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.
(5) Within the meaning of this Law, the competent authority of Latvia shall be the State Police,
if the person directing the proceedings is an investigator of the State police, or the Office of the
Prosecutor General, if the person directing the proceedings is an investigator of other
investigating institution.
(6) A competent authority of Latvia shall send the received European Investigation Order to a
competent authority of the relevant European Union Member State.
(7) The person directing the proceedings may amend or withdraw the taken European
Investigation Order if it is no longer necessary to perform the requested procedural action or
the information is received from a competent authority of the European Union Member State
that the procedural action indicated in the European Investigation Order would not be
permissible in criminal proceedings occurring in this Member State for the same offence, or the
recognition thereof would be incommensurate and the rights of the person who has the right to
defence would be incommensurably infringed. The person directing the proceedings shall
inform the competent authority of Latvia regarding a decision to amend or withdraw the
European Investigation Order.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 345
(8) If by complying with the procedures laid down in this Law a prosecutor is determined as
the person directing the proceedings up to commencing a criminal prosecution, the provisions
of Section 887.2of this Law shall be applied until a European Investigation Order is taken.
(9) The person directing the proceedings, when participating in execution of a European
Investigation Order in a European Union Member State, where necessary, may ask to perform
another procedural action without taking a new European Investigation Order. A decision
regarding other procedural action shall be taken in accordance with the procedures laid down
in this Law. The person directing the proceedings shall inform the supervising prosecutor and
competent authority of Latvia of the request to perform another procedural action.
[30 March 2017]
Section 887.2 Taking a European Investigation Order in a Criminal Prosecution
(1) If it is necessary to perform a procedural action in the territory of other European Union
Member State before transfer of the case to the court, a prosecutor shall, having assessed its
necessity and proportionality in respect of the criminal offence to be investigated, prepare a
European Investigation order by completing a document of a special sample, approve it and
send to the Office of the Prosecutor General. Prior to preparing the European Investigation
Order a prosecutor shall, by complying with the procedures laid down in this Law, perform all
actions which would be necessary if the procedural action would be performed in Latvia in
accordance with this Law. When approving a European Investigation Order, a prosecutor shall
certify the conformity of the requested investigative or procedural action with the requirements
of this Law to the European Union Member State.
(2) The Office of the Prosecutor General shall send the received European Investigation Order
to a competent authority of the European Union Member State. The Office of the Prosecutor
General shall ensure the translation of the European Investigation Order in the official language
of the relevant European Union Member State or the language which has been indicated for the
receipt of the European Investigation Order by the Member State to the General Secretariat of
the Council of the European Union.
(3) A prosecutor may amend or withdraw the taken European Investigation Order if it is no
longer necessary to perform the requested procedural action or the information is received that
the procedural action indicated in the European Investigation Order would not be permissible
in criminal proceedings occurring in this Member State for the same offence, or recognition
thereof would be incommensurate and the rights of the person who has the right to defence
would be incommensurably infringed. The prosecutor shall inform the Office of the Prosecutor
General regarding a decision to amend or withdraw the European Investigation Order.
(4) When participating in execution of a European Investigation Order, a prosecutor may, where
necessary, request to perform another procedural action without taking a new European
Investigation Order. A decision regarding other procedural action shall be taken in accordance
with the procedures laid down in this Law. The prosecutor shall inform the Office of the
Prosecutor General regarding a request to perform another procedural action.
[30 March 2017]
Section 887.3 Taking a European Investigation Order in Trial
(1) If during a trial it is necessary to perform a procedural action in the territory of other
European Union Member State, the court, having assessed the necessity and proportionality in
respect to the criminal offence to be investigated, shall prepare a European Investigation Order
by completing a document of a special sample. Prior to completing the European Investigation
Order the court shall carry out all actions which would be necessary if the procedural action
would be performed in Latvia in accordance with this Law. When approving the European
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 346
Investigation Order, the court shall certify the conformity of the requested investigation or
procedural action with the requirements of this Law to the European Union Member State.
(2) By using the website of the European Judicial Network, the court shall find out a competent
authority or executing authority of the European Union Member State to which the European
Investigation Order is addressed, and send the taken European Investigation Order to it.
(3) If the court by using the website of the European Judicial Network cannot find out a
competent authority or executing authority of the European Union Member State, it shall send
the taken European Investigation order to the Ministry of Justice for sending to the competent
authority of the relevant European Union Member State.
(4) The Court Administration shall ensure the translation of the European Investigation Order
in the official language of the relevant European Union Member State or the language which
has been indicated for the receipt of the European protection order by the Member State to the
General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union in the cases referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section, whereas in the cases referred to in Paragraph three – the Ministry of Justice.
(5) The court may amend or withdraw the taken European Investigation Order if it is no longer
necessary to perform the requested procedural action or the information is received form a
competent authority of the European Union Member State that the procedural action indicated
in the European Investigation Order would not be permissible in criminal proceedings occurring
in this Member State for the same offence, or recognition thereof would be incommensurate
and the rights of the person who has the right to defence would be incommensurably infringed.
The Ministry of Justice shall be informed regarding a decision to amend or withdraw the
European Investigation Order in the cases provided for in Paragraph three of this Section.
[30 March 2017]
Section 887.4 Notification Regarding Control of Means of Communication without
Technical Assistance of a European Union Member State
(1) If it is necessary to carry out the control of means of communications in the territory of one
or several European Union Member States, but technical assistance of the relevant European
Union Member States is not necessary, the person directing the proceedings shall complete a
notification of a special form by informing on carrying out the control of means of
communication in the territory of the European Union Member State and send it to such
Member State by intermediation of the competent authority of Latvia.
(2) If the information is received from a European Union Member State that the control of
means of communication would not be permissible for the same offence in this Member State,
the person directing the proceedings shall not commence or terminate the control of means of
communication, and also assess the use of the information obtained in the territory of the
relevant European Union Member State in proving.
[30 March 2017]
Division Nineteen
Specific Questions of International Co-operation
Chapter 84 Joint Investigative Teams
[24 May 2012]
Section 888. Joint Investigative Teams and the Conditions of the Establishment Thereof
(1) A joint investigative team is officials of Latvia and one foreign country or several foreign
countries authorised to conduct pre-trial proceedings who operate jointly within the framework
of criminal proceedings taking place in one country.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 347
(2) A joint investigative team shall be established for the conduct of specific criminal
proceedings, with the states involved mutually agreeing regarding the leader, composition, and
term of operation thereof.
(3) A joint investigative team shall be established for the purpose of eliminating unjustified
delays of proceedings that are related to the necessity to perform investigative actions in several
states, particularly in cases where several states have commenced criminal proceedings
regarding the same offence or a significant amount of the investigation is to be performed
outside of the territory of the state in which the criminal proceedings are taking place.
[24 May 2012]
Section 889. Competent Officials
The Prosecutor General, or, for the entering into of a specific agreement, a person
authorised by him or her, shall sign agreements on behalf of Latvia regarding the establishment
of a joint investigative team.
[24 May 2012]
Section 890. Grounds for the Operations of a Joint Investigative Team in Latvia
Grounds for the operation of a joint investigative team in Latvia are an agreement,
signed by the official provided for in Section 889 of this Law, regarding the participation of
Latvia in the establishment of such group.
[24 May 2012]
Section 891. Leader of a Joint Investigative Team and His or Her Authorisations
(1) The leader of a joint investigative team (hereinafter in this Chapter – the leader) is a
representative of the state in which criminal proceedings are taking place.
(2) The appointment of a leader is an integral part of an agreement. A leader may be replaced
only with the consent of all member states.
(3) If a leader is a representative of Latvia, he or she shall have the following authorisations:
1) to implement all the procedural rights that he or she would have if proceedings were
taking place only in Latvia;
2) to assign an attached member of the group to independently perform procedural
actions in Latvia;
3) to assign an attached member of the group to perform a specific amount of an
investigation in the state of which he or she is a representative;
4) to decide the amount in which each member of the joint group is to be familiarised
with the information at the disposal of the group.
(4) By coming to an agreement, Member States may specify another scope of the authorisation
of a leader.
[24 May 2012]
Section 892. Member Attached by a Foreign Country in a Joint Investigative Team
(1) In criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia, the attached member of a joint investigative
team is the representative in such group of another Member State.
(2) An employee of a multinational organisation may also be included in a joint investigative
team, if he or she would have such rights in one of the Member States.
(3) An attached member may independently perform in Latvia the procedural action assigned
by a leader.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 348
(4) An attached member shall perform procedural actions in the state that he or she represents
within the framework of his or her authorisation and in the amount specified by a leader.
(5) If the legal assistance of a third country is necessary in the part of criminal proceedings the
conduct of which has been assigned to an attached member, such member shall submit requests
for legal assistance in accordance with the procedures laid down in his or her state.
[24 May 2012]
Section 893. Latvian Member in a Joint Investigative Team
(1) The agreement regarding the establishment of a joint investigative team shall determine the
procedural authorisation of the Latvian attached member in the state in which criminal
proceedings are taking place.
(2) In criminal proceedings taking place in a foreign country, the Latvian attached member of
a group has the right to independently perform procedural actions in Latvia within the
framework of his or her procedural authorisation and in the amount specified by the leader.
(3) A member of a joint investigative team may place at the disposal of the leader all the
information necessary for criminal proceedings available for him or her in Latvia in connection
with his or her position.
(4) If criminal proceedings are taking place in Latvia, a joint investigative team may have
several Latvian representatives. The authorisations thereof and relationship thereof with the
leader are the same as in the case where criminal proceedings were to be conducted only in an
investigative group established in Latvia.
[24 May 2012]
Section 894. Procedures in Criminal Proceedings Taking Place in Latvia
(1) If the leader is the Latvian representative, criminal proceedings shall take place in
accordance with the procedures laid down in Latvia.
(2) Attached members shall perform procedural actions in the country thereof in accordance
with the procedures laid down in such country, if the leader has not requested the application
of procedures laid down in Latvia and such application is allowed by the legal system of the
foreign country.
(3) All of the procedural actions performed in Latvia shall be subject to appeal in accordance
with the procedures laid down in Latvian law.
(4) The head of an investigating institution and a prosecutor shall perform control and
supervision in accordance with general procedure, if an agreement does not specify otherwise.
[24 May 2012]
Section 895. Transfer of Criminal Proceedings to Another State
(1) If the conditions and reasons provided for in Chapter 68 of this Law exist for the transfer to
another Member State of criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia, the competent
representatives of the states shall come to an agreement regarding the appointing of another
leader.
(2) If Member States are not capable of coming to an agreement regarding the replacement of
the leader, or if reasons exist for the transfer of criminal proceedings to a third country, the
operations of the joint investigative team shall be interrupted and shall hereinafter comply with
the procedures laid down in Chapter 43 of this Law.
(3) If a Member State does not agree to the transfer of proceedings to a third country, the
materials submitted by such state shall be returned upon request.
[24 May 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 349
Section 896. Extradition
Extradition shall take place in accordance with general procedure independently of
whether a person to be extradited is located in a Member State or a third country.
[24 May 2012]
Chapter 85 Criminal-legal Co-operation with International Courts
[24 May 2012]
Section 897. Frameworks of Criminal-legal Co-operation
(1) Criminal-legal co-operation shall take place with international courts only in relation to the
criminal offences that are under the competence of such courts.
(2) The immunity of a person provided for in Latvian laws or in international laws and
regulations, or the special procedural provisions that it is possible to connect with the position
to be held by a person subject to an investigation, may not be an impediment to the jurisdiction
over such person implemented by an international court.
[24 May 2012]
Section 898. Competent Authority in Co-operation with International Courts
(1) The Ministry of Justice is the competent authority in criminal-legal co-operation with
international courts.
(2) If necessary, the use of the intermediation of the international criminal-police organisation
(Interpol) shall be admissible.
[24 May 2012]
Section 899. Grounds for the Transfer of a Person to an International Court
(1) A person against whom prosecution has been pursued in an international court or who has
been transferred to a court may be transferred for criminal prosecution and trial on the basis of
the request of such court.
(2) A person who is a Latvian citizen may be transferred for criminal prosecution and trial in
an international court only if a certification has been received from the international court that
in the case of conviction the person will serve a punishment of deprivation of liberty in Latvia.
(3) The legal grounds for the transfer of a person to an international court are the basic document
of the establishment of the international court and the provisions of this Law.
[24 May 2012]
Section 900. Reasons for a Refusal to Transfer a Person
The transfer of a person to an international court shall not be admissible in cases where
one of the reasons exist that are referred to in Section 697, Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and 3 and
Paragraph two, Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Law.
[24 May 2012]
Section 901. Examination, Deciding, and Fulfilment of a Request for the Transfer of a
Person
(1) A request regarding the transfer of a person to an international court shall be examined, a
person shall be detained, arrested, and all the matters related to the request shall be decided and
fulfilled in accordance with the procedures laid down in Sections 698 –711 of this Law.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 350
(2) A request of an international court regarding the transfer of a person has priority in
comparison with an extradition request submitted by another state. If an international court has
not itself specified with a decision that a specific case is only under the jurisdiction of the
international court, the order of competing requests shall be determined by the competent
authority, in conformity with the provisions of Section 709 of this Law.
[24 May 2012]
Section 902. Assistance to an International Court in the Performance of Procedural
Actions
(1) The competent authority shall, upon request of an international court, organise and provide
to such court the necessary assistance in the performance of procedural actions in an
investigation and criminal prosecution. A request may also provide for co-operation in the
execution of protection measures of victims and witnesses and measures for the purpose of
confiscation, particularly in the interests of victims.
(2) A request shall be satisfied in accordance with the procedures laid down in Sections 847 –
849, Sections 851 –854, Sections 858 and 859 of this Law.
(3) A request may be rejected, if such request applies to an issuance of documents or a
disclosure of evidence that affects the safety of the state, unless a request may be fulfilled with
particular conditions or later.
(4) Officials authorised by an international court have the right to perform the necessary
procedural actions in the territory of Latvia independently or in co-operation with a competent
international organisation or competent Latvia institution. If procedural actions are not related
to the application of a compulsory measure, an official authorised by an international court,
after consultations with the competent authority of Latvia, may perform such activities without
the presence of a representative of the competent authority.
[24 May 2012]
Section 903. Execution of Rulings of Financial Nature of an International Court
(1) The competent authority shall take the measures provided for in this Law in order to ensure
that a decision of an international court is fulfilled on consideration for victims, restitution,
compensation, and exoneration.
(2) The execution of a fine, or confiscation of criminally acquired property, determined by an
international court shall take place in accordance with the procedures provided for in the laws
and regulations of Latvia, without harming the bona fide rights of third persons.
(3) The competent authority shall take the measures provided for in this Law in order to regain
the value of the income, property, or assets thereof that are to be confiscated on the basis of a
decision of an international court. Obtained property or income shall be transferred to the
international court.
[24 May 2012; 22 June 2017]
Section 904. Execution of a Judgment of Conviction of an International Court
(1) If an international court has determined that a punishment of a convicted person related to
the deprivation of liberty is to be executed in Latvia, the competent authority shall immediately
inform the international court regarding the possibility of the execution of the punishment or
also regarding circumstances that might substantially influence the execution of the punishment
in Latvia.
(2) The execution of a punishment shall take place in accordance with the same procedures as
the execution of a punishment imposed in criminal proceedings taking place in Latvia. A
convicted person has the right to communicate with an international court without hindrance
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 351
and confidentially, and the international court has the right to perform supervision of the
execution of the punishment.
(3) Only an international court shall be permitted to reduce or change the amount of a
punishment determined by such court.
(4) During the execution of a punishment, the competent authority shall inform an international
court at least 45 days in advance regarding the execution of previously specified conditions and
regarding any circumstances that may substantially influence the provisions or term of
imprisonment.
(5) If, after serving of a punishment, a person does not have rights or is not given permission to
remain in Latvia, such person shall be transported to another state that must accept such person
or that agrees to accept such person, complying with the choice of the person.
(6) The criminal prosecution, punishing, or extradition to another state of a convicted person
regarding an offence that such person committed before being conveyed for the serving of a
punishment in Latvia may take place only with the consent of an international court, except
cases where the person remains voluntarily in Latvia after serving of the punishment for more
than 30 days, or has left Latvia and then returned to Latvia.
[24 May 2012]
Section 905. Confidentiality of Information
(1) Requests of an international court regarding co-operation and the documents attached to
such request shall be held in secrecy, except cases where the disclosure thereof is necessary for
the execution of a request.
(2) In providing legal assistance, the competent authority may request for an international court
to take measures in order not to allow the disclosure of information that might harm the interests
of state security, in order to protect Latvian officials, or also to protect other restricted-access
information.
(3) The competent authority shall be permitted to provide to international court information
provided confidentially by another state only if the state that provided the information has
agreed to such provision.
[24 May 2012]
Chapter 86 Recognition, Execution, and Taking of a European Protection Order
[29 January 2015]
Section 906. European Protection Order
(1) A European protection order is a decision taken by a competent authority of a European
Union Member State to take a protection measure in order to ensure the protection of a victim
or witness against a criminal act of a suspect, accused, or convicted person which may endanger
his or her life, physical or psychological integrity, dignity, personal liberty or sexual integrity,
regardless of the location of the victim or witness (hereinafter – the protected person) in the
European Union.
(2) Within the meaning of this Chapter a protection measure is such security measure applied
to a suspect, accused, or convicted person which is not related to the deprivation of liberty or
an alternative sanction or alternative sanction which provides for a prohibition to visit a certain
area, place, or territory, a prohibition to contact the protected person, or a prohibition to
approach the protected person.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 352
Section 907. Grounds for Executing a European Protection Order
The grounds for executing a European protection order received from another European
Union Member State are as follows:
1) a decision of the State Police to recognise and execute a European protection order;
2) the fact that the protected person plans to live or lives in Latvia or plans to stay or
stays in Latvia for not less than three months.
Section 908. Reasons for Refusing Execution of a European Protection Order
(1) Execution of a European protection order may be refused if:
1) the European protection order is incomplete and additionally requested necessary
information has not been submitted within the laid down term;
2) the security measure laid down in the European protection order is not related to a
prohibition to visit a certain area, place, or territory in which the protected person lives or is
visited by, or a prohibition to contact the protected person in any way, or a prohibition to
approach the protected person under a certain distance;
3) protection is laid down for such offence which is not criminal in accordance with The
Criminal Law;
4) the principle of inadmissibility of double jeopardy (ne bis in idem) would be violated
in recognising the European protection order;
5) the immunity from criminal proceedings referred to in Chapter 8 of this Law exists;
6) the limitation period has set in for an offence in relation to which the European
protection order was taken;
7) an amnesty act has been adopted which prevents the application of the punishment
for the relevant criminal offence in relation to which the European protection order was taken;
8) the person to whom a protection measures has been applied has not attained the age
at which criminal liability sets in;
9) the protection measure is related to such criminal offence which has been completely
or partially committed in the territory of Latvia;
10) the grounds for executing the European protection order laid down in Section 907,
Clause 2 of this Law do not exist.
(2) If execution of the European protection order has been refused on the basis of Paragraph
one, Clause 3 of this Section, the protected person has the right to request the State Police that
it informs the competent authority of the European Union Member State which took the
European protection order, regarding violations of the measure laid down in the European
protection order.
Section 909. Recognition and Execution of a European Protection Order
(1) The State Police, having received a European protection order from another Member State,
shall check whether any of the reasons for refusing execution referred to in Section 908 of this
Law exist, and, within 15 days from the day of receipt of the European protection order, take
one of the following decisions:
1) to recognise and execute the European protection order;
2) to refuse to recognise the European protection order.
(2) The State Police, in taking a decision to recognise and execute a European protection order,
shall determine such protection measure which conforms the most to that laid down in the
European protection order. The applicable protection measure shall be determined for a time
period provided for in the ruling made in the European Union Member State regarding
determination of a protection measure.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 353
(3) If a European protection order is incomplete, the State Police may suspend its recognition,
informing the relevant European Union Member State regarding the necessity to provide
additional information within a laid down time period.
(4) The State Police shall inform, in writing, the protected person and the relevant suspect,
accused, or convicted person regarding the recognised European protection order, as well as the
competent authority of the European Union Member State which took the European protection
order. The suspect, accused, or convicted person shall also be informed regarding the potential
legal consequences in case of violating the protection measure determined.
(5) If a decision to refuse to recognise a European protection order has been taken, the State
Police shall inform the protected person and the competent authority of the European Union
Member State which took the European protection order about it by sending a copy of the
decision. The protected person may dispute a decision to refuse to recognise a European
protection order by submitting a relevant submission to the Chief of the State Police. The
decision taken by the Chief of the State Police shall not be subject to appeal.
(6) A decision to recognise a European protection order shall be sent for execution according
to the place of residence of the protected person.
Section 910. Notification Regarding Violation of the Protection Measure Determined in a
European Protection Order
Having established that a suspect, accused, or convicted person has violated the
protection measure determined, the State Police shall, without delay, notify the competent
authority of the relevant European Union Member State thereof, using a document of a special
sample. The State Police shall provide the translation of the information in the official language
of the relevant European Union Member State or in the language which has been indicated by
the relevant Member State for the receipt of a European protection order to the General
Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.
Section 911. Decisions of a European Union Member State and Latvia in Relation to the
Protection Measure Determined in a European Protection Order and
Execution Thereof
(1) Decisions of a European Union Member State to amend, revoke, or withdraw such
protection measure which was the grounds for taking a European protection order, shall be
binding to Latvia.
(2) The State Police, having received a decision of the European Union Member State to amend
the protection measure determined in a European protection order, shall take one of the
following decisions:
1) to amend the measure determined;
2) to refuse to implement the amendment protection measure, if it is not related to a
prohibition to visit a certain area, place, or territory, a prohibition to contact the protected
person, or a prohibition to approach the protected persons.
(3) Execution of a European protection order shall be terminated and a decision in relation
thereto shall be taken in the form of a resolution, if:
1) information has been received that the protected person does not live or stay in the
territory of Latvia anymore;
2) the maximum term for which application of a protection measure is possible, has
expired in Latvia;
3) a decision to revoke or withdraw the protection measure applied has been taken in
the relevant European Union Member State.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 354
(4) The State Police shall inform the competent authority of the relevant European Union
Member State and, if possible, the protected person in writing regarding the decision taken in
the cases provided for in Paragraph two and Paragraph three, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section.
Section 912. Grounds for Taking a European Protection Order
(1) The grounds for taking a European protection order shall be as follows:
1) a written request of the protected person or his or her guardian or trustee to the State
police to take a European protection order in which the information at the disposal of the person
regarding criminal proceedings is also indicated;
2) a decision taken by the person directing the proceedings regarding application of such
security measure not related to deprivation of liberty or alternative sanction which is related to
a prohibition to visit a certain area, place, or territory, a prohibition to contact the protected
person, or a prohibition to approach the protected persons;
3) the fact that the protected person plans to live or lives or plans to stay or stays in any
other European Union Member State for not less than three months.
(2) The protected person or his or her guardian or trustee may also submit a request to take a
European protection order to the person directing the proceedings who shall forward it without
delay to the State Police together with information regarding criminal proceedings,
classification of the criminal offence, and the decision referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2
of this Section.
(3) If, having received a request of the protected person or his or her guardian or trustee to take
a European protection order to the person directing the proceedings, the State Police establishes
that a protection measure has been applied in another European Union Member State, it shall
forward such application without delay to the competent authority of the relevant Member State
in order to decide on the issue of taking a European protection order.
(4) In order to take a European protection order, the State Police shall request the necessary
information from the person directing the proceedings or the institution which controls
execution of the ruling.
(5) The State Police, having received a request of the protected person or his or her guardian or
trustee to take a European protection order, shall examine it within 15 days and take a decision:
1) to take a European protection order, filling in a document of a special sample;
2) to refuse to take a European protection order.
(6) Taking a European protection order may be refused, if the time period for which the
protected person is planning to leave the territory of Latvia, is less than three months.
(7) In taking a European protection order, the State Police shall send it to the person directing
the proceedings and the competent authority of such European Union Member State in which
the protected person is planning to live or lives, or is planning to stay or stays. The State Police
shall ensure the translation of the European protection order in the official language of the
relevant European Union Member State or the language which has been indicated for the receipt
of the European protection order by the Member State to the General Secretariat of the Council
of the European Union.
(8) The protected person may dispute a decision to refuse to take a European protection order
by submitting a relevant submission to the Chief of the State Police. The decision taken by the
Chief of the State Police shall not be subject to appeal.
(9) A decision to refuse to take a European protection order shall not be an obstacle for repeat
submission of a request.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 355
Section 913. Action of the State Police in Case of Violating the Protection Measure
Determined in the European Protection Order
The State Police, having received information from the competent authority of the
European Union Member State regarding a violation of the protection measure determined in a
European protection order, shall notify the person directing the proceedings or the institution
controlling the execution of the ruling thereof without delay.
Section 914. Amending, Revocation, and Withdrawal of a European Protection Order
Taken
(1) The person directing the proceedings or the institution controlling the execution of the ruling
shall, without delay, inform the State Police regarding a decision to amend or revoke the
protection measure applied.
(2) After information has been received from the person directing the proceedings or the
institution controlling the execution of the ruling regarding the amending or revocation of the
protection measure applied, the State Police shall take a decision to amend, revoke, or withdraw
a European protection order.
(3) The State Police shall inform the competent authority of such European Union Member
State in which the protected person lives or stays, regarding any rulings by which such
determined protection measure is amended, revoked, or terminated which had been the grounds
for taking a European protection order.
(4) If a protection measure has been determined by a ruling which has been transferred for
execution in another European Union Member State that is not the same Member State in which
the protected person plans to live or is living, or plans to stay or is staying, or which is
transferred after a European protection order has been taken, and if the competent authority of
the relevant European Union Member State has taken subsequent decisions concerning the
duties or orders included in the protection measure, the State Police shall, without delay,
withdraw or revoke the European protection order.
(5) The State Police shall take a decision to revoke or withdraw a European protection order,
if:
1) information has been received that the protected person does not live or is not
planning to live, or does not stay or is not planning to stay in the territory of such European
Union Member State to which the European protection order has been sent;
2) the term determined in the law or ruling for which a protection measure was applied,
has expired;
3) a decision to revoke the protection measure applied has been taken.
Transitional Provisions
1. Up to the day of the coming into force of this Law, procedural actions performed in
accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia and the materials obtained as a result
thereof shall preserve the legal status thereof.
2. Procedural actions that have been commenced, up to the day of the coming into force of this
Law, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia shall also be completed in
accordance with the procedures of the referred to Code.
3. In criminal cases that have been initiated up to the day of the coming into force of this Law,
the term for restriction of rights of a person in the pre-trial proceedings shall begin to be counted
from the day of the coming into force of this Law.
[12 March 2009]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 356
4. For security measures that have been applied to persons up to the day of the coming into
force of this Law and in relation to which the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia did not specify
a procedural term, such term shall begin to be counted from the day of the coming into force of
this Law.
5. The term specified in a procedural decision or in the relevant norm of the Criminal Procedure
Code of Latvia shall be in effect in specific criminal cases in relation to security measures that
have been applied to person before the day of the coming into force of this Law.
6. If this Law does not provide for a previously applied security measure, the person directing
the proceedings shall take a decision, within one month after the day of the coming into force
of this Law, on the revocation or modification of such security measure.
7. If a person has been recognised as a suspect in accordance with the procedures provided for
in Section 70 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia, the person directing the proceedings
shall decide, within 10 days after the day of the coming into force of this Law, on the
recognition of the person as a suspect in accordance with this Law.
8. In criminal cases in which civil claims were submitted up to the day of the coming into force
of this Law, such civil claims shall hereinafter be considered applications for a compensation
for harm. If in such cases the civil claimant is not simultaneously also the victim or the civil
respondent is not simultaneously also the accused, the civil claim shall be examined in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure Law, and the person directing
the proceedings shall notify such persons thereof within one month after the day of the coming
into force of this Law.
9. The terms “izziņas iestāde” (inquiry institution) and “izziņas izdarītājs” (performer of an
inquiry) used in laws and regulations up to the gradual updating of the editing of such
enactments shall hereinafter be understood as the terms “izmeklēšanas iestāde” (investigating
institution) and “izmeklētājs” (investigator).
10. [12 March 2009]
11. Up to 1 January 2006, the function referred to in Section 415, Paragraph six, Clauses 3 and
4 of this Law shall be ensured by the State Police in place of the State Probation Service.
12. Section 483, Paragraph one of this Law shall be in force in courts that have the necessary
technical provisions.
13. Up to 1 April 2006, permits for the performance of special investigative actions shall be
issued by:
1) a judge of the Supreme Court specially authorised by the Chairperson of the Supreme
Court – for the control of correspondence, control of means of communication, audio control
of a site or a person, video control of a site, control of data in an electronic information system,
and control of the content of broadcast data;
2) prosecutors specially authorised by the Prosecutor General – for the surveillance and
tracing of a person, surveillance of an object, for a special investigative experiment, for the
obtaining in a special manner of samples necessary for a comparative study, and for the control
of criminal activity.
[28 September 2005]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 357
14. [19 June 2008]
15. The Offices of the Prosecutor and investigating institutions shall decide, within one month
after coming into force of this Law, the matter regarding the commencement of criminal
proceedings or a refusal to commence criminal proceedings in connection with received
application regarding prepared or committed criminal offences in relation to which an
examination had been commenced in accordance with the procedures laid down in Section 109
of the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia.
[28 September 2005]
16. Complaints examination of which have been commenced in accordance with Sections 220
- 222 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia shall be decided in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the abovementioned Code.
[28 September 2005]
17. Up to the moment when the Law comes into force that determines the procedures for holding
under arrest, but not later than by 1 April 2006, Cabinet Regulations No. 211 of 29 April 2003,
Internal Procedure Regulations of Investigative Prisons, shall be in effect insofar as this
Regulation is not in contradiction with this Law.
[28 September 2005]
18. With the coming into force of this Law the Criminal Procedure Code of Latvia is repealed.
[28 September 2005]
19. Until the date of the coming into force of Cabinet regulations referred to in Section 84,
Paragraph two and Section 104, Paragraph five, but not later than until 1 January 2009, Cabinet
Regulation No. 920 of 6 November 2006, Regulations regarding Types of Legal Assistance
Ensured by the State, Maximum Amount of Hours, Amount and Procedures for Payment, shall
be in force insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.
[19 June 2008]
20. The cases, which have been transferred for examination to a district court in accordance
with the specified jurisdiction until 1 July 2009, shall be examined in the same court where they
have been submitted.
[12 March 2009]
21. The cases, in the materials of the objects containing the State secret are included and which
have been transferred for examination to a court until 1 July 2009, shall be examined in the
same court where they have been submitted.
[12 March 2009]
22. The State Probation Service shall not perform the control of behaviour of those persons
regarding which a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from
criminal liability, has been taken until 31 December 2012. The control of behaviour of those
persons regarding which a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing
from criminal liability, has been taken until 1 July 2009 shall, within a time period specified in
a decision, be continued and completed by the institution to which it has been assigned in the
decision to terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing from criminal liability.
[16 June 2009]
23. The institution to which it has been assigned to control the behaviour of the relevant person
shall not be indicated in a decision to terminate criminal proceedings, conditionally releasing
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 358
from criminal liability, until 31 December 2012, but the time until which a person shall notify
a prosecutor regarding the fulfilment of duties imposed by a decision and shall submit the
documents which attest fulfilment of the duties imposed by the decision shall be indicated. A
prosecutor shall, after the end of a control period, upon assessment of information provided and
documents submitted by a person, make a note in the decision on fulfilment of the provisions.
[16 June 2009]
24. A prosecutor and a court shall, from 1 July 2009 until 28 February 2013, request and the
State Revenue Service shall provide an assessment report only regarding those persons which
have been accused for commission of criminal offence against sexual inviolability and morals,
as well as regarding the accused persons who were under-age at the time of commission of a
criminal offence.
[16 June 2009; 15 November 2012]
25. In criminal cases, in which a trial in the collegial composition has been commenced in a
court of first instance until 1 July 2009, a trial shall be continued in the collegial composition
until rendering of a judgment or termination of criminal proceedings in a court hearing. If it is
not possible, a judge shall, upon assessment of the complexity of the case, decide singly
regarding continuing of the trial. A lay judge may not be held criminally liable during the
fulfilment of duties related to administering the law and may not be arrested without a consent
of the chief judge of the court in which he or she is fulfilling the duties. A decision on placing
under arrest, conveyance by force, detention, or subjection to a search of a lay judge shall be
taken by a judge of the Supreme Court specially authorised for that. If a lay judge has been
caught of committing a serious or especially serious crime, the decision on conveyance by force,
detention or subjection to a search is not necessary, but a specially authorised judge of the
Supreme Court and a chief judge of the court in which the lay judge is fulfilling the duties must
be informed within 24 hours. If the powers of the lay judge expire during a trial of the case,
they shall be retained until the end of the trial of such case.
[16 June 2009]
26. A trained intermediary of the State Probation Service shall, from 1 July 2009 until 31
December 2012 in the case provided for in Section 381, Paragraphs one and two of this Law,
be involved only during the pre-trial criminal proceedings. A trained intermediary of the State
Probation Service shall participate during a trial by 1 August 2009 in the cases of settlement
initiated until 1 July 2009.
[16 June 2009]
27. Criminal proceedings in private prosecution cases in the record-keeping regarding criminal
offences, which are qualified on the basis of Section 130, Paragraph two, Sections 157 and 158
of The Criminal Law in relation to bringing into disrepute in mass media, shall be terminated
according to the procedures for examination of private prosecution criminal proceedings, which
was determined until 31 December 2010.
[21 October 2010]
28. A judge shall send a complaint submitted for the commencement of private prosecution
criminal proceedings, regarding which a decision has not been taken until 31 December 2010,
to the investigating institution. A higher-level court judge shall examine a complaint received,
but not examined until 31 December 2010 regarding the decision of a judge to refuse the
commencement of private prosecution criminal proceedings, in accordance with the procedures
for examination of complaints laid down in this Law.
[21 October 2010]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 359
29. Until the day of the coming into force of the Cabinet regulations referred to in Section 235,
Paragraph seven, Section 239, Paragraph six, Section 240, Paragraph six and Section 366,
Paragraph four of this Law, but not later than 1 January 2012, the Cabinet Regulation No. 726
of 27 September 2005, Regulations Regarding Actions with Material Evidence and Attached
Property, shall be in force, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.
[21 October 2010; 8 July 2011]
30. Such cases regarding criminal offences that are qualified on the basis of Section 253.1, 348,
and 349 of The Criminal Law, which have been transferred for examination to a district court
in accordance with the specified jurisdiction until 31 December 2010, shall be examined in the
same court where they have been submitted.
[21 October 2010]
31. Proposals regarding taking of a European arrest warrant, which have been submitted to a
court until 31 December 2010, shall be examined and the European arrest warrants shall be
taken in accordance with the procedures, which were in force until the referred to date.
[21 October 2010]
32. Amendments to Section 421, Paragraph three and Section 652, Paragraph one of this Law
regarding probationary supervision, as well as Section 644.1 shall come into force on
1 October 2011.
[8 July 2011]
33. The cases, which have been transferred for examination to a district court in accordance
with the specified jurisdiction until 30 June 2012, shall be examined in the same court where
they have been submitted.
[24 May 2012]
34. A ruling appealed according to appellate procedures in the cases, which have been
transferred for judgment to a district court as a court of first instance in accordance with the
specified jurisdiction until 30 June 2012, shall be examined by the Department of Criminal
Cases of the Supreme Court as an appellate court.
[24 May 2012]
35. The condition referred to Section 775, Paragraph two, Clause 1 and Section 823, Paragraph
two, Clause 1 of this Law shall not be applied in international co-operation with Poland until
5 December 2016. In such cases Chapters 70 and 78 of this Law shall be applied.
[24 May 2012]
36. Requests of foreign countries regarding transfer or takeover of convicted persons for serving
a punishment, which the Office of the Prosecutor General has received until 30 June 2012 and
in relation to which examination has been completed and one of the decisions referred to in
Section 753 (in the revision in force until 30 June 2012) or Section 770 of this Law (in the
revision in force until 30 June 2012) has been taken, shall be examined according to the
procedures, which were in force until the referred to date. Requests regarding transfer or
takeover of convicted persons for serving a punishment, in relation to whom examination has
not been completed until 30 June 2012, shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice for examination.
[24 May 2012]
37. Requests of foreign countries regarding the execution in Latvia of a punishment imposed in
a foreign country, which the Ministry of Justice has received by 30 June 2012 and in relation
to which the decision referred to in Section 779 of this Law (in the revision in force until 30
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 360
June 2012) has been taken, shall be examined according to the procedures, which were in force
until the referred to date. Requests regarding execution in Latvia of a punishment imposed in a
foreign country, in relation to whom examination has not been completed until 30 June 2012,
shall be sent to a court for examination.
[24 May 2012]
38. If a request of a European Union Member State to recognise and execute a judgment, which
has been taken until 27 November 2011, has been received, it shall be examined according to
the procedures, which were in force until 30 June 2012. A request of Latvia to a European
Union Member State to execute a ruling made in Latvia, which entered into effect until
27 November 2011, shall be sent according to the procedures, which were in force until 30 June
2012.
[24 May 2012]
39. Sections 866 – 857 and Sections 883 – 887 of this Law shall come into force on
1 December 2012.
[24 May 2012]
40. If due to amendments to The Criminal Law, which come into force on 1 April 2013, the
classification of a criminal offence changes from a more serious to a lesser, the procedural terms
in criminal proceedings, which are managed by investigating institutions, the Office of the
Prosecutor and courts and which have been initiated in relation to such criminal offences until
31 March 2013, shall be determined according to such classification of the criminal offence,
which was in force until 31 March 2013.
[20 December 2012]
41. A judge shall examine a submission of a sentence execution institution or a prosecutor
regarding release of a person from serving a sentence or regarding amending of ruling, which
has been submitted to a court due to amendments to The Criminal Law which come into force
on 1 April 2013, in a written procedure within three months. The submission shall be examined
by a judge of such court which made the last ruling in the first instance or a prosecutor of the
institution of the Office of the Prosecutor in the territory of operation of which drew up a
prosecutor’s penal order. The court shall send a copy of the decision taken to the ruling
execution institution, the prosecutor and the convicted person. The prosecutor and the convicted
person may appeal the decision within 10 days from receipt of the copy thereof. Submitting of
a complaint shall not suspend the execution of the decision. A judge of a higher level court shall
examine the complaint in a written procedure, and his or her decision shall not be subject to
appeal.
[20 December 2012]
42. A judge of such court which controls execution of a ruling regarding application of a fine
shall decide on an issue regarding release of a person from serving a sentence or regarding
amending of a ruling, which has been submitted to a court due to amendments to The Criminal
Law which come into force on 1 April 2013, in a written procedure within one month. The court
shall send a copy of the decision taken to the prosecutor and the convicted person. The
prosecutor and the convicted person may appeal the decision within 10 days from receipt of the
copy thereof. Submitting of a complaint shall not suspend the execution of the decision. A judge
of a higher level court shall examine the complaint in a written procedure, and his or her
decision shall not be subject to appeal.
[20 December 2012]
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 361
43. If due to amendments to The Criminal Law, which come into force on 1 April 2013, it is
necessary to amend accusation, the prosecutor shall amend it in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Section 408 of this Law in pre-trial proceedings and in accordance with the
procedures laid down in Section 462, Paragraph one – during trial.
[20 December 2012]
44. Section 439, Paragraph three, Clause 3 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2014.
[14 March 2013]
45. The amounts of money indicated in the judgments referred to in Section 784, Paragraph
two, Section 786, Paragraph one, Clause 10, Section 791, Paragraph three, Section 792,
Paragraph three, Section 797, Paragraph three, Section 800, Paragraph two, and Section 840,
Paragraph two, which have been received from a foreign state or such European Union Member
State, which is not in the euro zone, and which have been accepted up to 31 December 2013,
shall be recalculated in euros according to the currency exchange rate specified by the Bank of
Latvia, which was in effect on the day of proclamation of the judgment.
[12 September 2013]
46. In cases, which were examined in a district court as in a court of first instance, a ruling
appealed according to the appeal procedures after 1 January 2014 shall be examined by the
same regional court as the appellate court.
[19 December 2013]
47. Cases, which have been transferred for examination to the Department of Criminal Cases
of the Supreme Court until 31 December 2013, but in which court investigation has not been
commenced until 30 June 2014, shall be transferred for examination to the regional court as the
appellate court.
[19 December 2013]
48. Cases, in which a court investigation has been commenced in the Department of Criminal
Cases of the Supreme Court, but which have not been examined until 30 June 2014, shall be
transferred for examination to the regional court as the appellate court.
[19 December 2013]
49. Cases, which have been transferred for examination to the district court as the court of first
instance and in which by 31 December 2014 a decision has been taken to suspend criminal
proceedings, shall be transferred to the district (city) court as the court of first instance after 1
January 2015.
[19 December 2013]
50. Cases, which have been transferred for examination to the Department of Criminal Cases
of the Supreme Court and in which a decision has been taken to suspend criminal proceedings,
shall be transferred to the regional court as the appellate court after 1 January 2015.
[19 December 2013]
51. The cases examined in the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court, in which
the cassation instance has revoked the ruling after 1 January 2014, shall be sent for examination
de novo to the regional court as the appellate court.
[19 December 2013]
52. If after 1 January 2014 in a case, which has been examined in the regional court as the court
of first instance, issues related to execution of the ruling or compulsory measures of a medical
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 362
nature are to be decided, they shall be sent for making of a decision in the district (city) court
as the court of first instance.
[19 December 2013; 30 March 2017]
53. Until 1 January 2015 a minor who has not reached 14 years of age, or, on the basis of the
discretion of the performer of an investigative action, any minor, shall be interrogated in the
presence of a pedagogue or a specialist who has been trained to perform the tasks of a
psychologist for children in criminal proceedings.
[29 May 2014]
54. Regulation of the Law regarding the procedures, by which the obligations imposed by the
court are completely or partially revoked for a convicted person or a decision to execute the
punishment specified in the judgment for a conditionally convicted person or to extend the
probationary period, which was in effect until 31 January 2015, shall be taken, is applied in
relation to a person who has been conditionally convicted until 31 January 2015.
[16 October 2014]
55. Regulation of the Law regarding the procedures, by which a convicted person is
conditionally released from punishment before term, which were in force until 31 January 2015,
is applied, if a submission regarding conditional release of a convicted person before term has
been received from the administrative commission of the deprivation of liberty institution.
[16 October 2014]
56. Regulation of the Law regarding execution of the unserved part of the punishment for a
person who has been conditionally released before term, which was in force until 31 January
2015, is applied in relation to a convicted person who has been conditionally released before
term on the basis of the submission of the administrative commission of the deprivation of
liberty institution.
[16 October 2014]
57. Regulation of Section 643 of this Law in relation to conditional release from serving the
punishment before term with determination of electronic monitoring shall be applied from 1
July 2015.
[15 January 2015]
58. Such institutions which until 1 November 2015 performed investigation of criminal
offences within the competence of the Internal Security Office, shall continue investigation in
the criminal proceedings initiated until their transfer to the Internal Security Office. The
abovementioned institutions shall transfer the relevant criminal proceedings to the Internal
Security Office by 30 November 2015.
[8 July 2015]
59. The condition of Section 152, Paragraph one of this Section regarding recording of the
course of interrogation of minors in audio and video recording in the cases laid down in Section
shall be mandatory for the person directing the proceedings starting from 1 January 2019. Until
then recording of the course of interrogation of minors in audio and video recording is
performed only in such cases when corresponding technical means are at the disposal of the
person directing the proceedings.
[18 February 2016; 23 November 2016]
60. Amendments to Section 420, Paragraph one and Section 441.1, Paragraph one of this Law
in relation to the right of a public prosecutor to draw up a penal order if a serious crime has
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 363
been committed for which the punishment of deprivation of liberty up to five years is provided
for, shall come into force concurrently with the relevant amendments to The Criminal Law.
[18 February 2016]
61. Amendment to Section 7, Paragraph two of this Law in respect of replacement of the
number “136” with the number “132.1” shall come into force concurrently with the relevant
amendments to The Criminal Law.
[30 March 2017]
62. In cooperation with those Member States of the European Union on which
Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding
the European Investigation Order in criminal matters is not binding, Latvia shall not use a
European Investigation Order.
[30 March 2017]
63. Procedural actions which are performed in accordance with the wording of The Criminal
Procedure Law that was in force until 31 July 2017 and the materials obtained as a result thereof
shall preserve the legal status thereof.
[22 June 2017]
64. Section 634.1, Paragraph two of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2019.
[22 June 2017]
65. To execute rulings referred to in Section 634.1, Paragraph one of this Law (except the ruling
regarding the recovery of a compensation for harm caused to a victim), the enforcement
document shall be sent to a sworn bailiff for execution on the basis of the place of residence
(for a legal person – its legal address) of a person (a convicted person) or on the basis of the
location of his or her property by 31 December 2018.
[22 June 2017]
66. To execute a court ruling in part regarding the recovery of a compensation for harm caused
to a victim, the court shall issue, by 31 December 2018, a writ of execution to a victim on the
basis of his or her request, except the case when the confiscation of criminally acquired property
is applied and an application for compensation regarding a harm caused to a victim is satisfied
within one ruling. If the confiscation of criminally acquired property is applied and an
application for compensation regarding a harm caused to a victim is satisfied within one ruling,
the court shall send the writs of execution to a sworn bailiff in accordance with that laid down
in Section 634.1, Paragraph four of this Law.
[22 June 2017]
67. Criminal proceedings which take place in accordance with emergency proceedings or
abridged proceedings are completed in accordance with the procedures for the examination of
criminal proceedings as was specified until 31 August 2018.
[20 June 2018]
68. Section 29, Paragraph one, Clause 2.1 of this Law shall come into force concurrently with
the regulatory enactment determining the competent authority which performs the risk and
protection factor assessment for the minor who has the right to defence. Until the
aforementioned regulatory enactment comes into force, the person directing the proceedings
requests the respective local government to prepare the evaluation of the minor within the scope
of the social behaviour correctional programme based on Section 58 of the Law on the
Protection of the Children’s Rights, if the information which is necessary for the evaluation of
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 364
minor’s behaviour is not available in the sub-system Information System for the Support of
Minor of the Integrated Information System of the Interior.
[27 September 2018 / The abovementioned amendment will be included in the wording of the
Law as of the day of coming into force of the relevant regulatory enactment]
69. Section 39, Paragraph one, Clause 6.2 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2019.
[27 September 2018]
70. Section 375.1 of this Law shall come into force concurrently with the respective
amendments to The Criminal Law providing for liability for the failure to comply with the
prohibition to disseminate contents of the materials of a criminal case.
[27 September 2018]
Informative Reference to European Union Directives
[23 May 2013; 29 May 2014; 29 January 2015; 18 February 2016; 30 March 2017;
22 June 2017; 27 September 2018]
This Law contains legal norms arising from:
1) Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011
on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and
replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA;
2) Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of
20 October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings;
3) Directive 2012/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012
on the right to information in criminal proceedings;
4) Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of
13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child
pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA;
5) Directive 2011/99/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of
13 December 2011 on the European protection order;
6) Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of
25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of
victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA;
7) Directive 2013/48/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of
22 October 2013 on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and in European
arrest warrant proceedings, and on the right to have a third party informed upon deprivation of
liberty and to communicate with third persons and with consular authorities while deprived of
liberty.
8) Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014
regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters;
9) Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014
on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European
Union;
10) Directive (EU) 2016/343 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
9 March 2016 on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of
the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings;
11) Directive (EU) 2016/800 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
11 May 2016 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in
criminal proceedings;
12) Directive (EU) 2016/1919 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
26 October 2016 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings and for
requested persons in European arrest warrant proceedings.
Translation © 2020 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) 365
This Law comes into force on 1 October 2005.
This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 21 April 2005.
President V. Vīķe-Freiberga
Rīga, 11 May 2005
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Criminal Procedure Law
Annex 1
Property which shall not be Seized [12 March 2009; 29 May 2014]
The following property in the property of persons shall not be subject to seizure:
1. Domestic furnishings, household objects, and clothing that are necessary for the
accused, his or her family, and the persons who are his or her dependents.
2. Food products that are necessary for the subsistence of an accused and his or her
family.
3. Money the total sum of which does not exceed one minimum monthly wage for an
accused and each of his or her family members, if he or she has been dependent of the accused
and he or she has no other income.
4. Heating fuel, which is necessary for the family for cooking and heating of residential
premises.
5. Equipment and tools that are necessary for the accused for the continuation of
business or professional activities, except cases where an undertaking has been found to be
insolvent or the rights to certain employment have been taken away from the accused with a
court judgment in a criminal case.
6. For persons whose employment is agriculture – one cow, heifer, goat, sheep, pig,
poultry, and small stock, feedingstuffs for feeding the referred to animals up to the harvest of
new feedingstuffs or the driving to pasture of livestock, as well as seed and planting material.
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Criminal Procedure Law
Annex 2
Offences regarding which a Person shall be Extradited to a European
Union Member State without Examining whether such Offences are
Criminal in Accordance with the Laws of Latvia:
1) participation in a criminal organisation;
2) terrorism;
3) trafficking in human beings;
4) sexual exploitation of children and child pornography;
5) illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
6) illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition, and explosives;
7) corruption;
8) fraud, including that affecting the financial interests of the European Communities
within the meaning of the Convention of 29 July 1995 on the protection of the European
Communities’ financial interests;
9) laundering of the proceeds of crime;
10) counterfeiting currency;
11) computer-related crime;
12) environmental crime, including illicit trafficking in endangered animal species and
endangered plant species and varieties;
13) facilitation of unauthorised entry and residence;
14) murder, grievous bodily injury;
15) illicit trade in human organs and tissue;
16) kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage-taking;
17) racism and xenophobia;
18) organised or armed robbery;
19) illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiques and works of art;
20) swindling;
21) racketeering and extortion;
22) counterfeiting and piracy of products;
23) forgery of administrative documents and trafficking therein;
24) forgery of means of payment;
25) illicit trafficking in hormonal substances and other growth promoters;
26) illicit trafficking in nuclear or radioactive materials;
27) trafficking in stolen vehicles;
28) rape;
29) arson;
30) crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court;
31) unlawful seizure of aircraft/ships;
32) sabotage.
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Criminal Procedure Law
Annex 3
[29 June 2008]
Offences regarding which the Ruling on the Recovery of a Financial Nature
Made by a European Union Member State shall be Executed without
Examining whether such Offences are Criminal in Accordance with the
Laws of Latvia:
1) criminal offences referred to in Annex 2 to this Law;
2) smuggling;
3) violations of intellectual property rights;
4) threats and violence against people;
5) criminal offence causing losses;
6) theft.