Victims' rights - by country

Lituanie

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Lituanie

Can I appeal against a sentence or if the defendant is declared not guilty?

Is further appeal possible?

What rights do I have after the court sentence enters into force?

More information

 

Can I appeal against a sentence or if the defendant is declared not guilty?

The trial will conclude with the court convicting the defendant or declaring him/her not guilty. If the defendant is convicted the court will impose a penalty. The court will announce its decision publicly during the final court hearing. If you have participated in the trial as a formally recognised victim or as a civil claimant but you have not been present during the final hearing you will receive a notification about the court’s decision.

If you are not satisfied with the court’s decision you can appeal against it. You can appeal against the decision on the offender’s guilt and against the sentence only if you have participated in the trial as a formally recognised victim. If you have participated in the trial as a civil claimant you can appeal only if you are not satisfied with the court’s decision on your claim.

You have to submit your appeal in writing and you have to sign it. The deadline is 20 days after the publication of the decision.

Is further appeal possible?

If you are not satisfied with the decision on your appeal you can appeal against it before the Supreme Court. The appeal has to be in writing and you have to sign it. The deadline is three months after the announcement of the decision you are appealing against.

What rights do I have after the court sentence enters into force?

The sentence will enter in force after the opportunities for appeal have been exhausted.

If the court convicts the defendant and sentences him/her to imprisonment the judge will ask you whether you wish to be informed about the defendant’s release from prison. If you state that you wish to receive such information you will be notified before the offender is released from prison.

You will also receive a notification when there is a court hearing to discuss an early release of the offender from prison. You can attend the hearing and appeal against the decision if you are not satisfied with it.

More information:

  • Code of Criminal Procedure (Baudžiamojo proceso kodeksas) – in Lithuanian
  • Criminal Code (Baudžiamasis kodekso) – in English and Lithuanian
  • Code of Execution of Penalties (Bausmių vykdymo kodeksas) – in Lithuanian
Last update: 26/04/2019

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