What is HAGB?

Deferral of the announcement of the verdict (HAGB) means that the conviction handed down by the court produces no legal effect during a five-year supervision period. If the defendant does not intentionally commit a new offence during this period and complies with the obligations imposed, the verdict is set aside and the case is dismissed; it is not entered in the criminal record as a conviction.

HAGB requires that the sentence imposed is two years’ imprisonment or less, or a judicial fine, that the defendant has not previously been convicted of an intentional offence, that the court is satisfied the defendant will not reoffend, and that the damage caused by the offence has been fully redressed. If the damage cannot be redressed immediately, the decision may also be given on condition that it is paid in monthly instalments during the supervision period (Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) art. 231(5)–(6), (9)).

For HAGB decisions given after 1 June 2024, the defendant’s consent is no longer required. The remedy against a HAGB decision is not an objection but an appeal to the regional court of appeal (istinaf). During the supervision period, a second HAGB decision cannot be given for an intentional offence (CMK art. 231(8), (12)).

Legal basis

Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) art. 231(5)–(14) (as amended on 16 July 2026)
CMK provisional art. 6
Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) art. 191(8) (HAGB for drug use)

These provisions and rates were last checked against official sources on 1 October 2026.

Note: This tool provides general information about Turkish law; the details of a specific case may change the result. For anything with a deadline, consult a lawyer to avoid losing your rights.