Criminal Law Attorney in Belgium

Criminal law is an area where improvisation can be costly. A clumsy statement during questioning, a missed appeal deadline, a poorly calibrated defence strategy: mistakes are sometimes paid for with years in prison.

The criminal lawyer knows the workings of procedure inside out. They know when to request nullification of an investigative act, how to challenge an expert report, when to plead provocation or self-defence. They master the subtleties of the Salduz law, which guarantees legal assistance from the very first interrogation.

But beyond legal technique, criminal lawyers develop essential human qualities. Facing a client accused of serious acts, they must maintain a relationship of trust without passing moral judgment. They must also manage the stress of hearings, the sometimes palpable hostility in a courtroom, and media pressure in certain cases.

Finally, the specialist knows the players in the system: prosecutors, investigating judges, chamber presidents. This knowledge of the terrain allows them to anticipate prosecution requests, adjust their pleadings, and sometimes negotiate effectively with the prosecution.

Traffic offences represent the bulk of criminal cases. Drink driving, speeding, hit and run: these behaviours can result in licence withdrawal, hefty fines, and even prison sentences in cases of repeat offences or serious consequences.

Property crimes - theft, fraud, breach of trust, receiving stolen goods - constitute another important category. The exact classification of the facts determines the sentence: simple theft is punished less severely than theft with violence or breaking and entering.

Interpersonal violence - assault and battery, threats, harassment - frequently come before criminal courts. Domestic violence has received particular attention from prosecutors in recent years.

Drug offences range from simple possession for personal use (often dismissed for cannabis) to heavily penalized international trafficking. In between, possession of significant quantities or occasional dealing exposes one to prison sentences.

Finally, economic crime - tax fraud, money laundering, misuse of company assets - mobilizes specialized prosecution teams and requires lawyers who master both criminal law and business law.