RIGHT TO INFORMATION IN MISDEMEANOUR PROCEEDINGS - ANALYSIS OF PRACTITIONERS` EXPERIENCE IN CROATIA

Authors

  • MARIJA ĐUZEL University of Split, Faculty of Law, Split, Croatia
  • ANTE NOVOKMET Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Law Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46763/BSSR25262607dj

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study on the experiences of practitioners with the right to information in misdemeanour proceedings in the Republic of Croatia. The research was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with three groups of practitioners: prosecutors, adjudicators and defence attorneys. The research focused on three groups of rights that substantively constitute the right to information in accordance with the Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings and the practice of the ECtHR: the right to information concerning procedural rights, the right to information concerning accusations and the right of access to the case file. Following the previously conducted theoretical-normative research, which pointed out certain inconsistencies in the current legislation on misdemeanours, the empirical research aimed to verify the results of the theoretical research and to determine the compliance of the legal framework and practice with the Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings. The study of practitioners' experiences in misdemeanour proceedings revealed the weaknesses of the current legislation and paved the way for future research and the creation of a comprehensive and coherent legal framework.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • MARIJA ĐUZEL, University of Split, Faculty of Law, Split, Croatia

    ORCID: 0000-0001-8868-0079

  • ANTE NOVOKMET, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Law Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

    ORCID: 0000-0001-8833-9751

References

1. Allegrezza, S.; Covolo, V. (2016). The Directive 2012/13/EU on the right to information in criminal proceedings: Status Quo Or Step Forward? in: Đurdević, Z.; Ivičević Karas, E. (eds.) European Criminal Procedure Law in Service of Protection of the Union Financial Interests: State of Play and Challenges, 41-53.

2. Allegrezza, S.; Covolo, V. (2018). Directive 2012/13/EU on the right to information in criminal proceedings in Allegrezza, S.; Covolo, V. (eds). Effective Defence Rights in Criminal Proceedings. A European and Comparative Study on Judicial Remedies, Wolters Kluwer Italia.

3. Cras, S.; De Matteis, L. (2013). The Directive on the Right to Information, Eucrim, 1/2013, 22-32. https://doi.org/10.30709/eucrim-2013-004

4. Đuzel, M. (2024). Deprivation of liberty in Croatian misdemeanour proceedings - application of European detention and penitentiary standards. EU and Comparative Law Issues and Challenges Series (ECLIC), 8, 85–112. https://doi.org/10.25234/eclic/32272

5. Klip, A., (2016). European Criminal Law: An Integrative Approach, Intersentia.

6. Mahoney, P. (2004)., Right to a fair trial in criminal matters under article 6 E.C.H.R. Irish Judicial Studies Journal, 2-4, pp. 107-129. Retrieved March 15, 2025, from https://www.ijsj.ie/assets/uploads/documents/pdfs/2004-Edition-02/article/right-to-a-fair-trial-in-criminal-matters-under-article-6-e.c.h.r..pdf

7. Novokmet, A. (2024). Pravo na obavijest u prekršajnom postupku – teorijski i normativni aspekt. [Right to information in criminal proceedings – theoretical and normative aspects]. Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Splitu, 61(3), 337-366. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.31141/zrpfs.2024.61.153.337

8. Perelló Doménech, I. (2012). The Right to be Informed of the Charge (Article 6.3 A) ECHR, In: Javier García Roca and Pablo Santolaya (eds), Europe of Rights: A Compendium on the European Convention of Human Rights, 297–305, Retrieved March 22, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004219915_016

9. Pivaty, A.; Soo, A. (2019). Article 7 of the Directive 2012/13/EU on the Right to Information in Criminal Proceedings: A Missed Opportunity to Ensure Equality of Arms in Pretrial Proceedings?, E European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, vol. 27, br. 2/2019, 126-154. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718174-02702003

10. Rašo, M.; Korotaj, G. (2013). Novosti u postupovnim odredbama Prekršajnog zakona. [New solutions concerning the procedural provisions of the Misdemeanour Act] Hrvatski ljetopis za kazneno pravo i praksu, 20(2), 779-793. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/211779

11. Trechsel, S. (2005). Human Rights in Criminal Proceedings, Oxford University Press.

12. Weigend, T. (2019). “Defense Rights in European Legal Systems under the Influence of the European Court of Human Rights”, in Brown, D.K., Turner, J.I., Weisser B., (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Criminal Process, Oxford Handbooks, 164-188.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-25

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 26 (2025): Balkan Social Science Review

Section

Articles-LAW

License

Permissions

Authors are expected to obtain permission from copyright holders for reproducing any illustrations, tables, figures or lengthy quotations previously published elsewhere. BSSR will not be held accountable for any copyright infringement caused by the authors.

Copyright
The content offered in the BSSR remains the intellectual property of the authors and their publishers respectively. University “Goce Delcev”- Shtip, R. Macedonia and BSSR keap the right to promote and re-publish the texts.