Criminal Defense & Criminal Law in Turkiye

Criminal law is one of the most critical legal fields, directly impacting an individual’s liberty, reputation, and fundamental rights. Facing an investigation or prosecution in a foreign country can be an incredibly daunting experience, fraught with severe professional, legal, and personal consequences—even before a verdict is reached. Navigating a foreign penal system, language barriers, and unfamiliar police or courtroom procedures requires an immediate, high-caliber defense strategy.

At Kotan & Gökce Law Firm, we represent foreign nationals at every stage of the Turkish criminal justice system. Our primary mission is to prevent rights violations, ensure an uncompromised right to an effective defense, and rigorously uphold the principle of a fair trial under Turkish and international human rights standards.

Our Scope of Services:

  • Defense Council During Investigations & Trials: Full legal representation throughout police interrogations, prosecutorial investigations, and courtroom trials.

  • Urgent Detentions & Arrests: Immediate intervention and swift appeals against police detention (gözaltı), pre-trial detention (tutukluluk), and judicial control measures (adli kontrol, such as international travel bans).

  • High Criminal & Criminal Courts: Aggressive defense representation in both High Criminal Courts (Ağır Ceza) and Criminal Courts of First Instance (Asliye Ceza).

  • Appeals & Higher Courts: Managing complex appeal processes before the Regional Courts of Appeal (İstinaf) and the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals (Yargıtay).

  • Evidence Gathering & Expert Opinions: Identifying, securing, and presenting legally sound evidence, including obtaining independent expert forensic or technical opinions.

  • Execution of Sentences & Correctional Law: Supervision of sentence calculations, applications for probation (denetimli serbestlik), conditional release (koşullu salıverme), and formal objections to execution judge decisions.

Why Kotan & Gokce?

Strategic Defense for Foreign Nationals:

We bridge the gap for foreign clients facing the Turkish penal system, delivering precise English-language guidance so you fully comprehend your legal standing, charges, and defensive options.

Corporate Criminal Liability & White-Collar Defense:

We protect international businesses and foreign investors from operational disruptions, handling high-stakes corporate risks including financial crimes, fraud, customs violations, and commercial non-compliance.

Strong Local and National Presence:

Headquartered in Izmir, our firm possesses a deep, nuanced understanding of local judicial procedures and law enforcement protocols, enabling us to respond to emergencies with maximum speed and efficiency across Türkiye.

Critical Legal Realities in Turkish Criminal Procedure

Interrogations and statements taken without a qualified defense lawyer.

The Risk for Foreigners: Giving a statement to local police or prosecutors without an independent lawyer—and a certified translator—can severely jeopardize your case. Statements made under these conditions may contain critical inaccuracies that are highly damaging at trial.

Unwarranted, disproportionate, or groundless pre-trial detention orders.

The Risk for Foreigners: Turkish authorities frequently view foreign nationals as flight risks, making them highly susceptible to pre-trial detention or international travel bans. Immediate, sophisticated legal appeals must be lodged to demonstrate ties or offer alternatives to secure immediate release.

The presentation or utilization of unlawfully obtained evidence.

The Risk for Foreigners: Digital data extracted without a valid warrant, unlawful searches, or statements obtained under duress are strictly invalid under the Turkish Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code (CMK). We meticulously audit prosecution files to ensure illegally gathered evidence is suppressed and cannot be used as a basis for conviction.

Missing the window for pre-trial resolution, active repentance, or mediation.

The Risk for Foreigners: Turkish law offers specific statutory benefits, such as criminal mediation (uzlaşma) or active repentance (etkin pişmanlık), which can dismiss or drastically reduce penalties before a case ever goes to trial. Failing to deploy these strategic defenses early can result in much harsher penalties.

If you or a loved one is facing a legal emergency, investigation, or criminal charge in Türkiye, prompt intervention is paramount. Contact our legal team immediately to secure a proactive defense.

Your legal partner in Izmir-Turkiye

Please contact us for consultation. You can reach us via WhatsApp, phone or e-mail.

info@kotangokce.com Mon – Fri 09:00-18:00

About Us