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

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.