In short: If you are a foreign national facing a criminal investigation or prosecution in Istanbul, you are entitled to a lawyer at every stage, a free interpreter, consular notification, and the presumption of innocence. Criminal proceedings can also affect your residence status and trigger deportation review — which is why defense and immigration strategy must be handled together. Caliskan Law Office, based in Kartal, Istanbul, represents foreign clients throughout criminal proceedings: police custody, statements, arrest hearings, trial and appeal.
Facing a criminal investigation in Turkey? Contact us before giving any statement — the first hours matter most.
How We Assist Foreign Clients
- Emergency response during police custody: Immediate contact with the police unit, private consultation before any statement, and presence during questioning.
- Statements and interpreter rights: Ensuring a qualified interpreter is present and that the record accurately reflects your account before you sign anything.
- Arrest hearings and appeals: Arguing for release or non-custodial judicial control; appealing arrest decisions within the 7-day deadline.
- Trial defense: Challenging unlawfully obtained evidence, cross-examining witnesses and building the defense file through every hearing.
- Deportation-risk management: Coordinating the criminal defense with residence-permit and deportation implications, including travel bans and entry-ban risks.
- Remote coordination: For families abroad, we provide updates and coordinate power-of-attorney procedures through Turkish consulates.
Common Case Types
We frequently represent foreign nationals in investigations concerning drug-related offences, fraud and cybercrime allegations (including bank-account misuse claims), sexual offence allegations, assault, and immigration-related criminal matters. Each category carries distinct evidentiary issues — from digital forensics to witness credibility — and, for foreigners, distinct residence consequences.
The Process at a Glance
Police custody: Maximum 24 hours for individual offences (up to 4 days for collective offences). Rights: silence, lawyer, interpreter, consular notification, medical examination.
Prosecutor and court referral: After the statement, you may be released, placed under judicial control (e.g. travel ban, reporting duty) or referred for arrest. The arrest hearing is where early defense work pays off.
Trial: Depending on the charge, the case is heard by a criminal court of first instance or a high criminal court. Appeals lie to the regional appellate court and the Court of Cassation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a foreigner detained in Istanbul. What are my rights?
You have the right to remain silent, the right to a lawyer at every stage, the right to a free interpreter in your own language, and the right to have your consulate notified of your detention. Police custody is limited to 24 hours for individual offences (up to 4 days for collective offences), after which you must be released or brought before a judge.
Do I need an interpreter for my statement?
Yes. If you do not speak Turkish, an interpreter must be provided free of charge for your statement and all hearings. A statement taken without a proper interpreter can be challenged as unlawful.
Will a criminal case lead to my deportation?
Not automatically. Deportation is a separate administrative decision made by the migration authority; however, certain convictions and even ongoing investigations can trigger deportation or an entry ban. Criminal defense and immigration strategy must be managed together, which is a core part of our approach for foreign clients.
Can I leave Turkey while the investigation continues?
If a judicial control measure such as a travel ban has been imposed, leaving the country is not possible until it is lifted. We apply for the removal of travel bans with supporting evidence of residence, employment and ties. If no measure exists, you are generally free to travel, but this should be verified in your file first.
What happens at the first court appearance?
After police custody, the prosecutor may refer you to a criminal judgeship of peace with a request for arrest or judicial control. This hearing is decisive: with an interpreter present, your lawyer argues for release or non-custodial measures. Decisions ordering arrest can be appealed within 7 days.
How are legal fees determined?
Fees depend on the nature and stage of the case and are agreed individually, in line with the Turkish Bar Association rules. Contact us for an initial assessment of your situation.
Facing a criminal investigation in Turkey? Contact us before giving any statement — the first hours matter most.
Related Pages
- Istanbul Criminal Lawyer
- Fethiye Criminal Lawyer
- Muğla Criminal Lawyer
- Fethiye Citizenship Lawyer
- Deportation Risk for Foreign Defendants (Turkish)
- Yakınım Gözaltına Alındı (Turkish Guide)
Legal Disclaimer
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is assessed on its own facts. Please consult a lawyer about your specific situation.
