Vádat

Vádat is the formal accusation brought by the public prosecutor in Hungary against a person suspected of having committed a crime. It is a central element of the Hungarian criminal procedure and corresponds to the English terms “charge” or “indictment.” The vádat is carried out through a document called vádirat, filed with the competent court after investigative authorities complete their inquiry and the prosecutor determines there is sufficient evidence and a legal basis to prosecute.

The vádirat outlines who is charged, what acts are alleged, when and where they occurred, and how the acts qualify under the Penal Code. It describes the facts supporting the charge and the legal grounds for the requested penalties. The accused person is informed of the vádat and has a right to defense, including legal counsel, to present evidence, and to participate in hearings.

Once the vádirat is filed, the court schedules a trial. The proceedings are designed to determine whether the charges are proven beyond reasonable doubt. If the court finds the accused guilty, it issues a verdict and pronounces the sentence; if acquitted, the vádat is dismissed. Either party may generally appeal the decision to a higher court within statutory time limits.

The vádat is distinct from the investigation file and from the final judgment, yet it is a crucial procedural instrument that marks the transition from investigation to trial and defines the scope of the criminal case in Hungary.