Viktor Bérces: Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
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Chapter IX. Evidence in the preparatory and investigative stages
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9.1. About the investigative phase in general
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9.1.1. Views on the possibilities of not investigating

9.1.1. Views on the possibilities of not investigating

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According to Fázsi and Stál, an investigation is unnecessary if the crime or the identity of the perpetrator is known to the authorities before the investigation is ordered and the potential means of proof are fully available.1 However, opponents of this view start from the premise that the rights of the accused are infringed by not being questioned as a suspect. In fact, the Constitutional Court itself has stressed the importance of the investigative stage, stating that “the questioning of the suspect is a procedural guarantee which is a necessary precondition for the completion of the investigation and the indictment under the general rules, since it is a crucially important stage in the proceedings for the rights of the accused […]. The interrogation of the suspect and the statutory provisions provided for the testimony of the accused constitute the procedural framework within which the prosecutor or the investigating authority must fulfil the fundamental conditions of the right to a fair trial and the rights of the defence.”2

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Farkas3 and Bócz are of the opinion that the preparatory stage is a necessary and indispensable element of criminal proceedings: according to the latter author, “it is evident from a global perspective that in modern society a purely accusatory criminal procedure system, i.e. a criminal procedure system in which the accusation that triggers the trial is not preceded by any kind of professional preparation (investigation, inquiry) by official means, is not viable.”4

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

For my part, I can identify with the position of Fázsi and Stál, since

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • the CPC is not far from seeking to simplify procedures (e.g. mediation, conditional suspension of the prosecutor, settlement, etc.);
  • the view that the investigating authority is an autonomous power that represents its own organisational interests in the prosecution of crime (its role is more to prepare the justice system) must necessarily be weakened;5
  • the immediate indictment would essentially leave the procedure in “professional hands” even if the investigation stage is not completed, so I doubt that the number of opportunities for error would increase;
  • it would reduce red tape;
  • it would be possible to question the accused at the accusation stage;
  • the right of defence is fully guaranteed at both the prosecution and trial stage.

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

At the same time, it is important that the legislator should define the conditions for the waiver of these sections in a taxonomy and that these rules should be placed – systematically – in the rules of the relevant chapter. I would add that the possibility of the above construction – e.g. omission of investigation – can also be supported by international examples:

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  1. In France, under the Code d’instruction criminelle of 1808, the prosecutor could, in the case of an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of less than five years, request a trial without an investigation, stating the names of the accused and witnesses, if he considered the case suitable on the basis of the information in the complaint or the investigation.”6
  2. In Germany, according to the procedural code, “the suspect must be questioned at the latest before the investigation is closed […] in simple cases it is sufficient to give him the opportunity to make a written statement” (StPO §163a). It is therefore possible for the authorities not to question the suspect, who is of course still entitled to comment on the investigation file. 7
  3. Under the Liechtenstein Act, it is possible to prosecute on the basis of (mere) denunciation.
  4. In Switzerland an investigation can be avoided if there is sufficient suspicion to conduct an investigation on the basis of a complaint.8
1 E.g. Drunkenness proven by the use of an breathalyser and the driver’s admission at the scene are two circumstances where no other evidence is required for the prosecutor to prosecute the drunk driving case. In Fázsi–Stál (2012) ibid. 35.
2 Decision 14/2004 (7 May) AB, III/A/4. 1, 15.
3 “The preparatory phase is the first and most important phase of criminal proceedings in terms of evidence.” Ákos Farkas: Új alkotmányos elv a magyar büntetőeljárási bizonyításban? A kölcsönös elismerés elve. [A new constitutional principle in Hungarian criminal procedure evidence? The principle of mutual recognition.]. In: Árpád Erdei (2010) ibid. 49.
4 Endre Bócz (1962) ibid. 53.
5 “The threefold unit of investigation has further strengthened the organisational culture that has made the criminal police an authority on a par with the judiciary. A police department that strives for autonomy reinforces the conviction that law enforcement should primarily serve internal organisational values and not the preparation of justice.” László Korinek: A háborút nem látott bátrak bátorsága. [The courage of the brave who have not seen war.] Belügyi Szemle, 1996/12. 105.
6 Anita Nagy: Eljárást gyorsító rendelkezések a büntetőeljárás bírósági szakaszában. [Provisions to speed up proceedings in the judicial phase of criminal proceedings.] Doctoral thesis, 2007. 6. http://www.doktori.hu/index.php?menuid=1938vid=232
7 Fázsi–Stál (2012) ibid. 42.
8 Fázsi–Stál (2012) ibid. 43.
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