Criminal Defence Duty

By calling the 24/7 hotline number +41 44 201 00 10 (standard rate), you can reach a criminal defence attorney in the canton of Zurich 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, who can advise you immediately and accompany you to your first interrogation by the police or the public prosecutor.

Anyone can call the hotline at any time, the accused person, their relatives or friends. An arrested person can request the police or the public prosecutor to contact a criminal defence attorney via the hotline.

If you are suddenly accused of having committed a criminal offence, you have the right to consult an attorney immediately and to refuse to make a statement. The association Criminal Defence Duty guarantees that you can reach a criminal defence attorney at any time, even outside office hours and at night. In the event of an arrest, every person has the right to consult freely with a criminal defence attorney and to discuss all aspects of the offence they are accused of and the defence strategy. Your criminal defence attorney may accompany you to all interrogations.

The association Criminal Defence Duty is an association under private law. It is under the patronage of the Zurich Bar Association and the Democratic Lawyers of Zurich. Its members are attorneys who regularly provide criminal defence services.

Payment depends on the alleged criminal offence, the financial situation of the accused person and the outcome of the proceedings. In many cases the canton of Zurich advances or covers the attorney’s fee. It is advised to discuss payment terms with your «attorney of the first hour» at the beginning.

The attorney will arrive at the police station or the public prosecutor’s office as soon as possible. You can insist that the interrogation does not start until you have consulted with your attorney.

The criminal defence hotline operates 24/7.

You always have the right to remain silent. You have the right to consult your attorney before making a testimony.

In the past, it was debated when an accused person was entitled to a legal defence. The introduction of the «attorney of the first hour» strengthened defence rights. Today, a criminal defence attorney can be present from the very beginning, and any accused person must be informed of this right before any investigation starts.

All criminal defence attorneys are legal professionals who have passed state bar exams and been granted a license to practice law. They possess the necessary knowledge to handle criminal defence cases. In addition, attorneys are subject to state supervision and can be held accountable for misconducts.