Criminal Law

In criminal proceedings the outcome often turns on the first statement, timely collection of evidence and careful management of deadlines. We follow the file with the same care from the start of the investigation to the appeal stage.

Main matters

• Defence during police and prosecution statements and judicial questioning
• Objections to detention and judicial control measures
• Representation before high criminal and criminal courts of first instance
• Appeals to the regional court of appeal and the Court of Cassation
• Individual applications to the Constitutional Court

Articles in this area

• 2 October 2026Criminal LawHow Long Will They Actually Serve? A Family Guide to Prison Sentences in TürkiyeFor fixed-term prison sentences, the rule is that half is served in prison with good conduct; for some offences it rises to two thirds or three quarters. Conditional release, probation, open prison, deduction and leave explained simply.
• 2 October 2026Criminal LawCan the Police Search Your Home, Car or Person Without a Court Order in Türkiye? Searches Where Delay Would Be PrejudicialA search normally needs a judge's decision. If delay would be prejudicial, a prosecutor's written order suffices, or a police chief's, but never for homes or workplaces. Conditions, preventive searches and recent case law.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawPre-Trial Detention in Drug Cases in Türkiye: How to Object, Deadlines and Judicial ControlDrug trafficking is a catalogue offence for detention, but detention is not automatic. An objection must be filed within two weeks and is reviewed by a criminal court judge. Maximum detention periods, judicial control and recent release decisions.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawHow Does a Drug Case Proceed in Türkiye? Custody, Statement, Which Court and AppealsDrug trafficking cases are heard by the high criminal court; drug use and facilitating use by the criminal court of first instance. Custody periods, mandatory lawyer, interception, and appeal stages, step by step.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawUnlawful Searches and Evidence in Drug Cases in Türkiye: Preventive Search, Judicial Search and Caught in the ActWhere there is a tip-off about or surveillance of a specific person, a preventive search order is not enough; a judicial search order is needed, or the drugs seized cannot be used as evidence. Caught in the act, interception, 2025–2026 case law.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawDoes a Drug Record Bar Public Employment in Türkiye? 'Disgraceful Offences' and When the Criminal Record Is DeletedA person sentenced to one year or more for a drug offence cannot become a civil servant; postponement and HAGB decisions are not convictions. Disciplinary penalties for civil servants and when record and archive entries are deleted.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawEffective Repentance in Drug Offences in Türkiye (TCK 192): Conditions and Sentence ReductionEffective repentance in drug offences: before the authorities learn of the offence, no penalty; afterwards, a reduction of one quarter to one half. Which information counts under the 2025 Assembly of Criminal Chambers decisions.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawDrug Offences in Türkiye: A Guide to Penalties, Procedure, Rights and Recent Court of Cassation DecisionsPenalties for drug use, trafficking and facilitating drug use in Türkiye; postponement, supervised release, effective repentance, detention, time served, driving licences and public employment on one page, each linked to a detailed article.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawHow Many Years for Drug Trafficking in Türkiye? TCK Art. 188 and Aggravating CircumstancesDrug trafficking in Türkiye carries at least ten years' imprisonment, rising to at least fifteen for methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids, heroin, cocaine or sale to a child. Aggravating circumstances, the court and recent decisions.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawHow Long Will I Actually Serve for Drug Trafficking in Türkiye? Release Ratio, Open Prison and Supervised ReleaseFor drug trafficking in Türkiye the conditional release ratio is three quarters: with a 10-year sentence, release comes after 7 years 6 months at the earliest. Open prison, supervised release, repeat offending and 2025–2026 changes.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawSupervised Release for Drug Use in Türkiye: Duration, Urine Tests and What Happens If You Breach ItFor possession of drugs for personal use, supervised release lasts at least one year and up to three. When does a positive test or a missed appointment count as a breach? Explained with recent Court of Cassation decisions on 'persistence'.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawDrugs and Your Driving Licence in Türkiye: TRY 150,000 Fine, Cancellation, Five-Year Wait and Licence BanSince the February 2026 amendment, a driver found to have taken drugs is fined TRY 150,000 and loses the licence; a new one cannot be sought for at least five years. Also: can a person with a drug record obtain a licence?
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawFacilitating Drug Use in Türkiye (TCK art. 190): Providing a Place, Encouraging Use and Social MediaProviding a place or equipment for drug use, hiding users from the police, explaining how to use drugs or publicly encouraging drug use is punishable by five to ten years' imprisonment. Social media posts can also fall within this offence.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawIs Drug Use a Crime in Türkiye? The Penalty Under TCK Art. 191 and Postponement of the ProsecutionUsing or possessing drugs for personal use is a crime in Türkiye, punishable by two to five years' imprisonment. On the first occasion no case is filed: a five-year postponement and supervised release apply. Fines and recent decisions explained.
• 1 October 2026Criminal LawWhat Happens If a Drug Test Is Positive in Türkiye? Legal Consequences and Validity of the TestA positive urine or blood test leads to an investigation for drug use and, in traffic, a TRY 150,000 fine and cancellation of the driving licence. But a sample taken without a judge's order or approval cannot be used as evidence.
• 25 September 2026Criminal LawChildren in Criminal Proceedings in Türkiye: What Changed in August 2026?The amendment in force since 18 August 2026 replaced 'child pushed into crime' with 'child in judicial proceedings', narrowed the age reduction for serious offences, added new diversion measures and made social inquiry reports mandatory. Rules by age group explained.
• 17 September 2026Criminal LawLetting Someone Else Use Your Bank Account or Card in Türkiye: Fraud Charges and the July 2026 AmendmentPeople who let others use their bank account or card for a small fee can be tried for aggravated fraud when scam money passes through it. The new reduction in Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) art. 158 (July 2026 amendment), intent and civil liability explained.
• 10 September 2026Criminal LawDrug Possession for Personal Use vs Drug Trafficking in Türkiye: What Is the Difference and Why Does It Matter?A person found with drugs is dealt with under one of two separate offences, depending on whether the drugs were for personal use or for sale. Penalties, postponement of the prosecution, supervised release and effective repentance explained.