Criminal procedure legislation

Criminal procedure is the activity of uncovering, investigating and trying criminal cases in the manner set by law, together with the legal relations connected with it. Its tasks are to uncover crimes quickly and fully, to ensure a just punishment for the guilty, and to guarantee that an innocent person is not prosecuted or convicted. Among the main principles of the Constitution and procedural laws are legality, equality before the law and the court, the independence of the court, adversarial proceedings between the sides, openness of the court hearing and respect for human rights. By the presumption of innocence, a person is considered innocent until guilt is established by a court verdict that has entered into legal force; he need not prove his innocence, and doubts that cannot be removed are resolved in his favour. The Constitution also forbids torture and cruel treatment and provides that arrest may be made only by a court decision. Criminal cases are handled under the Criminal Procedure Code, while civil, economic and administrative proceedings are governed by their own codes.