High Criminal Courts are the courts that hear cases related to crimes included in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) that require the heaviest penalties. In this article, we will examine the duties and powers of the High Criminal Courts, discuss which cases they hear and how they operate.
Duties and Powers:
The main duty of the High Criminal Courts is to solve cases related to crimes included in the Turkish Penal Code and worthy of the following penalties:
• Aggravated life imprisonment
• Life imprisonment
• Prison sentence of more than ten years
In this context, some examples of crimes handled by the High Criminal Courts are as follows:
• Premeditated murder
• Qualified injury
• Loot
• Extortion
• Forgery of official documents by a public official
• Qualified embezzlement
• Drug dealing
• Organized crime
Case Procedure:
Cases in High Criminal Courts begin with the indictment prepared by the prosecutor’s office. The indictment includes the elements of the crime, evidence and information about the defendant. After the indictment is accepted, the case moves to the hearing stage.
At hearings, the prosecutor and the defendant’s lawyers present their evidence and hear witnesses. The court reaches a decision by evaluating all the evidence and statements. In the decision, the defendant is acquitted or convicted.
Some Highlights:
• High Criminal Courts are courts of first instance. In other words, cases are heard in these courts for the first time.
• High Criminal Courts consist of three members. One member is the chairman and the other two members are full members.
• Cases in High Criminal Courts generally take a long time.
• An appeal can be filed against the decisions of the High Criminal Courts.