High Criminal Court Lawyer in Antalya, Turkey

Facing a serious criminal charge in Antalya requires more than knowing the name of the alleged offence or the possible prison sentence. The first questions I look at are what conduct is actually alleged, how the prosecution has legally classified it, which court has jurisdiction, what evidence is contained in the file, how that evidence was obtained, whether the client is detained or subject to judicial control, and what stage the proceedings have reached.

In Turkey, cases before the High Criminal Court can involve allegations carrying very serious consequences. Some offences fall within the court's jurisdiction because they are specifically assigned to it by law, while others are heard there because of the sentence prescribed by the applicable criminal provision.

A High Criminal Court case should therefore not be approached on the assumption that a serious accusation necessarily proves a serious crime. The prosecution's legal classification, the constituent elements of the offence, the reliability of the evidence and the procedural history of the investigation all need to be examined separately.

Attorney Cennet Kesici Çetinbaş
Antalya Bar Association
Last updated: 30 August 2026
Legal review: Attorney Cennet Kesici Çetinbaş

Quick Answer: When Is a High Criminal Court Lawyer Needed in Antalya?

Legal representation may become particularly important when a person is being investigated or prosecuted for an offence falling within the jurisdiction of a Turkish High Criminal Court, known in Turkish as the Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi.

Depending on the case, legal assistance may involve:

• reviewing the criminal investigation file and available evidence,
• preparing the suspect or defendant for police, prosecutor or court questioning,
• examining whether the alleged conduct satisfies the legal elements of the offence,
• challenging unlawful or unreliable evidence where legally appropriate,
• reviewing pre-trial detention and judicial control measures,
• preparing written and oral defense submissions,
• examining witness, CCTV, telephone, financial and digital evidence,
• responding to the prosecutor's opinion on the merits, and
• assessing appeal and cassation remedies after judgment.

The correct strategy depends on the actual file. Two defendants accused under the same provision may require completely different approaches because the evidence, alleged role, intent, procedural history and surrounding facts may be different.

What Is a High Criminal Court in Turkey?

The High Criminal Court is a first-instance criminal court dealing with offences that fall within the jurisdiction assigned to it by Turkish legislation. The expression “High Criminal Court” is commonly used in English for the Turkish term Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi.

The key point is that jurisdiction is not determined by whether an accusation sounds serious in everyday language. The court must have legal jurisdiction over the specific offence.

Under Article 12 of Law No. 5235, High Criminal Courts deal with certain offences specifically listed by law and, subject to special jurisdiction rules, offences punishable by aggravated life imprisonment, life imprisonment or imprisonment exceeding ten years.

For a more general explanation of court jurisdiction and procedure, see our guide on how the High Criminal Court works in Turkey .

What Cases Go Before the High Criminal Court in Turkey?

Depending on the precise statutory classification of the allegation, cases before the High Criminal Court may include serious offences such as:

• intentional homicide and certain attempted homicide cases,
• robbery,
• drug trafficking and certain serious narcotics offences,
• certain sexual offences where the applicable jurisdiction requirements are met,
• fraudulent bankruptcy,
• certain offences involving official documents or public officials,
• certain offences against state security or the constitutional order,
• offences falling within the scope of the Anti-Terror Law, and
• other offences punishable by aggravated life imprisonment, life imprisonment or more than ten years of imprisonment.

This list should not be treated as a substitute for examining the specific criminal provision. The same broad description of an incident can sometimes lead to different legal classifications.

For example, allegations involving drugs must distinguish between personal use and trafficking. A violent incident may require a distinction between intentional injury and attempted homicide. The legal classification can change both the potential sentence and the competent court.

Foreign nationals dealing with narcotics allegations may also read our guide on drug-related offences in Turkey .

Is Qualified Fraud Still Tried Before the High Criminal Court?

For newly filed cases, the general answer is no.

This is an important point because many older English-language websites still state that qualified fraud under Article 158 of the Turkish Criminal Code is automatically within the jurisdiction of the High Criminal Court.

Law No. 7571 removed qualified fraud from the list of offences specifically assigned to the High Criminal Court under Article 12 of Law No. 5235. The change entered into force on 25 December 2025.

As a result, criminal proceedings newly initiated for qualified fraud are, as a general rule, allocated to the Criminal Court of First Instance (Asliye Ceza Mahkemesi).

How Does a High Criminal Court Case Begin in Turkey?

A High Criminal Court case normally starts long before the first trial hearing. The initial stage is usually a criminal investigation conducted under the authority of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

During the investigation, the authorities may:

• take statements from the suspect, complainant and witnesses,
• collect CCTV footage and other physical evidence,
• conduct legally authorised searches and seizures,
• examine phones, computers or other digital material,
• obtain telephone or communication records,
• request forensic or expert reports,
• review financial or banking records, and
• seek detention or judicial control where the statutory conditions are alleged to exist.

If the public prosecutor concludes that there is sufficient suspicion to bring a prosecution, an indictment may be prepared and submitted to the competent criminal court. The prosecution stage begins once the indictment is accepted by the court.

Why Is the Indictment Important?

The indictment is one of the central documents in a serious criminal case because it identifies the conduct attributed to the defendant, the legal classification proposed by the prosecution, the evidence relied upon and the criminal provisions the prosecutor seeks to apply.

I do not consider it sufficient to read only the final section containing the requested charges. A defense review should also ask:

• What factual allegation is linked to each item of evidence?
• Does the evidence actually support the prosecution's account?
• Are important statements inconsistent?
• Has the alleged role of each defendant been individualised?
• Are all statutory elements of the alleged offence addressed?
• Was the evidence obtained through lawful procedure?

What Happens at the First Hearing?

At the first hearing, the court will generally establish the defendant's identity, explain the accusation and procedural rights, and take the defendant's defense. Depending on the file, witnesses may be heard, evidence requests may be considered, expert examinations may be discussed and the defendant's detention status may be reviewed.

The first hearing is not automatically the final hearing. In a serious criminal case, however, it can be particularly important because the defendant's first detailed courtroom defense and the requests made regarding evidence may influence the subsequent course of the proceedings.

You can read a more detailed explanation in What Happens at the First Hearing in a High Criminal Court in Antalya?

How Should a High Criminal Court Defense Be Prepared?

A defense should not be reduced to the defendant simply telling the court, “I did not commit the offence.”

Depending on the allegation, the file may require separate analysis of:

• the physical and mental elements of the offence,
• the defendant's alleged connection to the conduct,
• intent or negligence,
• participation and the alleged role of each defendant,
• attempt versus completed offence,
• possible grounds of justification,
• unjust provocation where legally relevant,
• effective remorse provisions where applicable,
• contradictions between witness or complainant statements,
• the legality and reliability of physical and digital evidence, and
• alternative legal classifications of the alleged conduct.

In my view, one of the most common mistakes in a serious criminal file is to accept the prosecution's legal classification as the only possible classification before independently analysing the facts and evidence.

The same event may sometimes be legally interpreted in more than one way. That distinction can affect the competent court, the elements that must be proved and the potential sentence.

Does a Defendant Have the Right to Remain Silent in Turkey?

Yes. A suspect or defendant has the right not to make self-incriminating statements and may exercise the right to remain silent concerning the alleged offence.

The existence of that right does not mean that remaining silent is necessarily the correct strategy in every case. In some files, a detailed defense may be important. In others, giving a lengthy statement before the evidence has been properly reviewed may create avoidable difficulties.

The decision should therefore be made after considering the actual procedural stage and available evidence rather than relying on a general rule.

Is a Defense Lawyer Mandatory in High Criminal Court Cases?

Mandatory defense counsel applies in certain criminal investigations and prosecutions under the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure. Among other situations covered by the legislation, where the statutory minimum sentence for the alleged offence exceeds five years of imprisonment, a defense lawyer must be appointed if the suspect or defendant does not already have one.

Court-appointed mandatory counsel and a lawyer privately instructed by the defendant serve within the same procedural framework, but the defendant remains entitled to choose private legal representation where permitted.

Does a High Criminal Court Case Automatically Mean Pre-Trial Detention?

No.

The fact that a case falls within the jurisdiction of a High Criminal Court does not by itself mean that the suspect or defendant must be detained.

Pre-trial detention is a protective procedural measure, not a criminal sentence.

Under Turkish criminal procedure, the assessment can involve:

• strong suspicion of crime supported by concrete evidence,
• risk of flight or hiding,
• risk of destruction or alteration of evidence,
• risk of pressure being placed on witnesses or victims,
• the statutory rules concerning catalogue offences,
• proportionality, and
• whether judicial control would be sufficient instead of detention.

A serious accusation does not remove the need for an individual assessment.

For a detailed explanation, see Pre-Trial Detention in Turkey .

Can a Pre-Trial Detention Order Be Challenged?

Turkish criminal procedure provides mechanisms for challenging detention decisions and requesting release where the legal conditions justify it.

A meaningful release request should normally do more than state that the defendant is innocent. Depending on the file, it may need to address the strength of the suspicion, the current status of the evidence, actual flight risk, fixed residence, family and professional ties, whether witnesses have already been heard, the length of detention and whether judicial control would now be sufficient.

What Is Judicial Control?

Judicial control (adli kontrol) allows the court to impose restrictions without keeping the suspect or defendant in pre-trial detention.

Depending on the circumstances and the applicable statutory provisions, these measures can include restrictions such as:

• a prohibition on leaving Turkey,
• regular reporting to a designated authority,
• specified judicial obligations, or
• other measures permitted by the Code of Criminal Procedure.

What Evidence Is Used in High Criminal Court Cases?

The evidentiary structure of a serious criminal case depends on the allegation. Evidence may include:

• witness statements,
• victim or complainant statements,
• CCTV footage,
• telephone and communication records,
• cell-site or location-related data,
• messages and social-media material,
• phone and computer examinations,
• banking and financial records,
• medical and forensic reports,
• DNA or fingerprint examinations,
• expert reports, and
• materials obtained through search and seizure procedures.

Evidence appearing in a criminal file is not automatically accurate, complete or legally admissible simply because it has been collected by the authorities. Its source, integrity, context, method of collection and connection with the allegation may all require examination.

Can Unlawfully Obtained Evidence Be Challenged?

Yes. Criminal evidence must be obtained and assessed in accordance with the applicable procedural rules.

Where the legality of a search, seizure, digital examination, communication measure or another investigative step is disputed, the relevant authorisation, scope of the order, manner in which the measure was executed, official records and integrity of the resulting material should be reviewed.

Can a Witness Statement Alone Lead to Conviction?

There is no responsible single answer for every file.

The court may need to consider whether the witness personally observed the event, whether the statement has remained consistent, whether previous statements contradict the later account, whether there is a relationship with the parties and whether the testimony is supported or contradicted by objective evidence.

In a criminal case, the relevant issue is not simply the number of witnesses but the evidential weight and reliability of what each witness actually says.

How Important Is CCTV Evidence?

CCTV footage can be highly important, but its existence does not automatically prove every element of the alleged offence.

Relevant questions may include whether the recording captures the entire incident, whether the date and time are reliable, whether the person can actually be identified, whether important portions are missing and whether the footage is consistent with other evidence.

What About Phone and Digital Evidence?

Telephone records and digital data often play an important role in multi-defendant and organised criminal investigations.

Communication records may show that devices or individuals were in contact, but they do not necessarily prove the content or criminal purpose of that communication.

Digital evidence should be examined in context, including who controlled the device or account, when the material was created, whether it was altered, how it was obtained and whether the technical analysis is reliable.

High Criminal Court Cases Involving Foreign Defendants in Antalya

A foreign national facing criminal proceedings in Antalya can encounter difficulties that do not arise in the same way for a Turkish-speaking defendant.

The criminal allegation remains the central legal issue, but practical and procedural questions may also include:

• understanding Turkish-language police and court documents,
• participating effectively in questioning and hearings,
• access to an interpreter where the statutory requirements are met,
• communication with a lawyer while outside Turkey,
• travel restrictions imposed through judicial control,
• immigration or residence-permit implications where relevant, and
• possible deportation or entry-restriction proceedings in appropriate cases.

Do Foreign Defendants Have a Right to an Interpreter?

Turkish is the language of official criminal proceedings. Under Article 202 of the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure, a defendant who does not know enough Turkish to explain themselves may receive interpretation of the essential points of the prosecution and defense through an interpreter appointed by the court.

Similar protections apply during the investigation stage to suspects, victims and witnesses within the scope of the provision.

Can a Criminal Case Affect a Foreigner's Immigration Status?

It can, depending on the allegation, procedural outcome and applicable immigration legislation. However, a criminal investigation does not automatically mean that a foreign national will be deported or lose a residence permit.

Criminal proceedings and immigration proceedings are legally distinct. Where both become relevant, they should be assessed separately while taking account of their possible interaction.

What Decisions Can a High Criminal Court Make?

Depending on the circumstances and procedural requirements, a High Criminal Court may issue outcomes including acquittal, conviction, dismissal of proceedings, a decision that no punishment should be imposed in legally defined circumstances, security measures or a decision concerning jurisdiction.

Where the defendant is detained, the court may also need to rule separately on whether detention should continue following judgment.

How Is the Sentence Determined?

A sentence cannot be calculated reliably from the name of the offence alone.

Depending on the case, the court may need to consider:

• the basic statutory penalty,
• aggravated forms of the offence,
• attempt,
• participation,
• successive offences,
• unjust provocation,
• effective remorse where legally available,
• discretionary mitigation, and
• other offence-specific increases or reductions.

For a more detailed explanation, see How Many Years in Prison Can You Get in a High Criminal Court Case in Turkey?

Can a High Criminal Court Judgment Be Appealed?

High Criminal Court judgments may be subject to appellate review under the conditions established by the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure.

The first appellate review may be carried out by the competent Regional Court of Justice (Bölge Adliye Mahkemesi). Depending on the nature of the resulting decision and the statutory conditions, further review before the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) may also be available.

Not every decision follows exactly the same appellate route. The type of judgment, sentence, procedural history and current appeal provisions must be checked after the decision is issued.

Criminal appeal deadlines should be reviewed without delay. A general assumption about the applicable period should not replace examination of the judgment and the current procedural rules.

High Criminal Court Lawyer in Antalya: How I Review a Serious Criminal Case

In Antalya, serious criminal proceedings may involve residents, tourists, expatriates, investors or individuals who live outside Turkey but have become involved in an investigation connected with Antalya.

When I review a High Criminal Court file, I generally examine the case in stages rather than beginning with the question, “How many years could the defendant receive?”

I first consider:

• the investigation and prosecution documents,
• the precise conduct attributed to the suspect or defendant,
• the legal classification of that conduct,
• the indictment and previous statements,
• complainant and witness accounts,
• CCTV and physical evidence,
• telephone and digital material,
• search and seizure procedures,
• forensic and expert reports,
• pre-trial detention and judicial control decisions,
• contradictions between different pieces of evidence, and
• the procedural stage and any approaching deadlines.

Only after these issues have been examined can the realistic legal risks and defense options be assessed.

The central question in a serious criminal case is not simply the sentence requested by the prosecution. It is whether the prosecution can establish the alleged offence, the defendant's connection with it and the required legal elements through reliable and lawfully obtained evidence.

Common Problems I Look for in Serious Criminal Files

Depending on the case, problems may include giving a detailed statement before the available evidence has been understood, focusing only on the final page of the indictment, failing to examine contradictions between statements, treating digital evidence as self-explanatory, overlooking alternative legal classifications, failing to challenge an expert report where there are legal grounds to do so, preparing generic detention objections, or overlooking an appeal deadline.

None of these issues automatically determines the outcome. Their relevance depends on the file. But they are matters that should be checked rather than assumed away.

What Documents Should You Send for a Criminal Case Review?

If available, useful documents may include:

• passport or identification documents,
• police or prosecutor documents,
• statement and interrogation records,
• the indictment,
• court summons or hearing records,
• pre-trial detention or judicial control decisions,
• witness or complainant statements,
• search and seizure records,
• digital examination reports,
• telephone or communication records,
• medical or forensic reports,
• expert reports,
• the prosecutor's opinion on the merits, and
• the reasoned judgment if a decision has already been issued.

During an ongoing investigation, the suspect may not personally possess every document in the file. The available material and current procedural stage should therefore be identified first.

Criminal Defense and Legal Representation in Antalya

Depending on the individual case, legal assistance may include reviewing the investigation file, preparing for police or prosecutor questioning, attending interrogation and court proceedings, examining pre-trial detention and judicial control measures, reviewing the indictment and evidence, preparing written and oral defense submissions, examining witnesses and expert evidence, responding to the prosecutor's opinion on the merits, and assessing appeal or cassation remedies.

Foreign clients may communicate with the office in English regarding their case and the documents required for an initial legal assessment.

For general criminal-law services, see our Antalya Criminal Defense Lawyer page, or contact the office in Antalya .

Attorney Cennet Kesici Çetinbaş
Antalya Bar Association
Muratpaşa, Antalya, Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions About High Criminal Court Cases in Antalya

Official Legal Sources

• Law No. 5235 on the Establishment, Duties and Jurisdiction of First Instance Courts and Regional Courts of Justice – Article 12 regulates the statutory jurisdiction of the High Criminal Court.
• Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure – Law No. 5271 – Governs criminal investigations, prosecution, defense rights, detention, judicial control, evidence, interpreters, hearings and legal remedies.
• Turkish Criminal Code – Law No. 5237 – Contains the substantive criminal offences, elements and penalties relevant to criminal proceedings.
• Law No. 7571 – Introduced the 25 December 2025 jurisdictional change concerning qualified fraud and related transitional provisions.
• Council of Judges and Prosecutors – HSK – Official judicial administration source relevant to court organisation and allocation decisions.