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Criminal litigation in Kalundborg follows national Danish law and procedures. Investigations are led by the police, prosecutions are conducted by the public prosecution service, and cases are heard by the courts. Kalundborg is served by Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi for policing and the local first instance court is Retten i Holbæk. Appeals from district court decisions generally go to Østre Landsret, and the Supreme Court, Højesteret, hears selected cases on points of law.
The Danish Penal Code sets out criminal offenses and penalties, while the Administration of Justice Act governs procedure, including rights during investigation, arrest, detention, evidence, and trial. Most cases begin with a police investigation, may move to a charge, and then to a court hearing. Many less serious matters are resolved by fines or conditional withdrawal of charges, while serious cases proceed to trial with professional judges and, in many cases, lay judges. The most serious crimes can be tried with a jury in the High Court.
Denmark places strong emphasis on due process. You have the right to remain silent, the right to an interpreter if you do not understand Danish, and the right to a defense lawyer. If you are arrested and the police seek to detain you, you must be brought before a judge within 24 hours.
You may need a criminal defense lawyer if you are invited to a police interview as a suspect, arrested, charged, or searched. A lawyer helps you understand your rights, evaluates the evidence, and protects you from self-incrimination. Legal advice before any statement to the police can be crucial.
A lawyer is important if you face a detention hearing, because Denmark does not use cash bail and the court decides whether to keep you in pretrial detention or impose alternatives such as reporting duties. Counsel can challenge the basis for detention and present mitigating information.
Legal advice is also valuable if you receive a penalty notice or fine. Accepting a fine is usually treated like a conviction and can affect your criminal record and professional life. A lawyer can assess whether you should accept or contest it.
Businesses and professionals may need representation in regulatory or financial crime investigations, such as environmental, tax, bookkeeping, or workplace safety offenses. Early advice can reduce risk and the scope of sanctions, including confiscation of assets.
Victims and witnesses can also benefit from guidance, including on restraining orders, compensation claims against offenders, and how to navigate contact with the police and prosecutor.
The Danish Penal Code defines offenses such as theft, assault, drug offenses, traffic crimes, fraud, cybercrime, and public order violations. Sanctions include fines, suspended sentences with conditions, community service, and imprisonment. Confiscation of proceeds of crime can be ordered in addition to other penalties.
The Administration of Justice Act sets procedural rules. Key points include the presumption of innocence, the right to silence, access to case materials for the defense at appropriate stages, and the right to an interpreter. Searches and seizures generally require a court order, except in urgent circumstances or with valid consent. Electronic devices can be seized and examined under judicial control.
If you are arrested and the police want to keep you longer, you must appear before a judge within 24 hours for a detention hearing. The court can order pretrial detention only if strict legal criteria are met, such as risk of flight, interference with evidence, or continued crime. Alternatives to detention can be imposed. Denmark does not have a cash bail system.
Less serious cases may be concluded by accepting a fine or a conditional withdrawal of charges, sometimes with conditions such as community service or staying crime free. A confession case can be processed in a simplified way if you admit guilt and the court finds the evidence sufficient and the proposed sanction appropriate.
Trials in the district court are usually heard by one professional judge. Many cases are decided by a panel of one professional judge and two lay judges. The most serious offenses may be tried with a jury in the High Court. You can generally appeal a conviction or sentence from the district court to the High Court within a short statutory deadline.
Defense counsel is appointed by the court in many situations, including when you are in custody or when the prosecution seeks imprisonment. You can usually choose a specific defense lawyer. If you are acquitted, the state often covers your reasonable legal costs. If you are convicted, you may have to pay some or all costs, subject to court decision and your means.
Convictions can appear on your criminal record. There are two main types of records in Denmark, a private criminal record and a broader police record. How long entries remain depends on the offense and sentence. Employers sometimes request a private record, and specific sectors may require special certificates.
Kalundborg cases are investigated by Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi, prosecuted by the regional prosecution service, and heard at Retten i Holbæk. Appeals go to Østre Landsret. Proceedings are conducted in Danish, and interpreters are provided when needed.
The police will inform you of the suspicion, your right to remain silent, and your right to a lawyer. If the police wish to keep you, you must be brought before a judge within 24 hours for a detention hearing. You will be represented by a defense lawyer at that hearing. If detention is not justified, you must be released.
No. You have the right to remain silent and to avoid self-incrimination. You can provide your identity details, but you do not have to answer questions about the alleged offense. It is usually wise to consult a lawyer before giving a statement.
If you are in custody or if the prosecution seeks imprisonment, the court will appoint a defense lawyer. You can normally request a specific lawyer, and the court will respect your choice if practical. If you hire a private lawyer outside those conditions, you pay privately, but in many appointed cases the state covers costs depending on the outcome and your financial situation.
If the police want to detain you, you must appear before a judge within 24 hours of arrest. The judge decides on continued detention or release with or without conditions. If the police do not seek detention, you should be released.
Searches and seizures usually require a court order, except in urgent situations or with valid consent. Digital devices can be seized and examined under judicial supervision. You have the right to a lawyer and to challenge unlawful searches.
A penalty notice is an offer to settle a minor case by paying a fine without a court trial. Accepting it is typically treated like a conviction and can appear on your criminal record. If you contest the allegation or the amount, do not accept. Seek legal advice promptly so you understand the consequences and deadlines.
Possible outcomes include acquittal, fine, suspended sentence with conditions such as community service or supervision, imprisonment, and confiscation of assets. Some cases end with conditional withdrawal of charges if you meet certain conditions. Your lawyer can advise what is realistic based on the evidence and your circumstances.
Many convictions appear on your private criminal record for a set period that depends on the offense and sentence. Serious offenses stay longer than minor ones. There is also a broader police record not normally shared with private employers. Ask your lawyer how a specific outcome will affect your record and when entries can lapse.
If you are convicted in the district court, you can usually appeal to the High Court within a short deadline. You can appeal the verdict, the sentence, or both. The High Court will rehear the case to the extent of the appeal. Further appeal to the Supreme Court is limited and requires permission, usually for issues of principle.
You are entitled to an interpreter during questioning and court hearings. You have the same procedural rights as Danish citizens, including the right to a lawyer and to remain silent. If you are a foreign national, you can request that your consulate be notified of your detention. Immigration consequences can be serious, so ask your lawyer to advise on any risk of expulsion.
Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi.
Retten i Holbæk.
Østre Landsret.
Anklagemyndigheden and Rigsadvokaten.
Kriminalforsorgen, including Probation Service and Prisons and Detention Centers.
Offerrådgivningen i Danmark for confidential victim support.
Advokatvagten for free walk in legal guidance at set times and locations.
Det Kriminalpræventive Råd for crime prevention information.
Advokatsamfundet and Danske Advokater for information on lawyers and professional standards.
If you are under investigation or have been charged, write down what happened while it is fresh in your mind, including dates, times, places, and potential witnesses. Preserve evidence such as messages, emails, photos, and CCTV requests. Do not discuss the case on social media or with anyone other than your lawyer.
Contact a criminal defense lawyer with experience in Kalundborg area cases. If you have been arrested or face a detention hearing, tell the police you want a lawyer and do not answer substantive questions until you have spoken with counsel. If eligible, ask the court to appoint a defense lawyer and state which lawyer you prefer.
Bring all documents to your first meeting, including any police notices, penalty offers, summonses, and your identification. Ask your lawyer about the likely timeline, the evidence, possible outcomes, effects on your criminal record, and costs. Confirm critical deadlines for accepting or contesting a fine and for filing any appeal.
Attend all hearings on time with your lawyer. Follow legal advice on contact with witnesses, compliance with any court conditions, and participation in programs that may support mitigation or a conditional withdrawal of charges.
If you are a victim or witness, ask the police or your lawyer about support services and how to claim compensation. If you believe you were wrongfully detained or prosecuted, ask your lawyer about possible compensation under Danish law.
The sooner you obtain focused legal advice, the better your chances of protecting your rights and reaching a fair outcome in Kalundborg.
