rikosprosessilain

Rikosprosessilaki, or the Finnish Criminal Procedure Act, is the central statute governing criminal procedure in Finland. It provides the procedural framework for handling criminal cases from the initial pre-trial investigation to the enforcement of judgments. The act defines the roles and powers of the main actors in criminal procedure: the police, the public prosecutor, the courts, and the defense. It determines when and how investigations may be conducted, how suspects may be detained or released, and how evidence is collected and used in court.

A core purpose of the law is to secure a fair trial while balancing public interest and the rights of individuals. It enshrines principles such as the presumption of innocence, the right to be informed of the charges, the right to legal counsel, the right to interpreter services, and the right to participate in the proceedings and to challenge or obtain evidence. The act regulates interrogation, search and seizure, and the use of investigative methods, subject to safeguards against abuse and violations of human rights.

Procedural stages include pre-trial investigation by police and prosecutors, the filing of charges, trial before a court, and post-trial remedies such as appeals to higher courts. The law also provides for the assessment and exclusion of evidence obtained through unlawful means and for oversight, corrections, and enforcement of judgments. In addition, the rikosprosessilaki interacts with the substantive criminal code, constitutional principles, international human rights obligations, and European Union law, and has been amended over time to reflect evolving standards of criminal justice in Finland.