Rights of the accused in Georgia: what should everyone know who has dealings with investigation

Criminal proceedings in Georgia are strictly regulated by legislation and are based on the principle of protecting human rights. Nevertheless, in practice, there are frequent cases where citizens do not fully possess information about their rights and find themselves in a vulnerable position when interacting with investigative authorities. Therefore, it is important that every individual knows what rights an accused person has and how to protect themselves within the framework of the law.

1. Presumption of innocence – your main legal shield

According to the Constitution of Georgia and the Criminal Procedure Code, a person is considered innocent until their guilt is proven by a court judgment that has entered into legal force.
This means:

You are not obliged to prove your innocence;
The burden of proof lies entirely on the prosecution;
Any doubt must be interpreted in favor of the accused.

2. Right to remain silent – do not say anything against your will
The accused has the right not to testify against themselves. This is one of the most important rights.
It is important to know:

You may refuse to answer questions;
Silence cannot be used against you;
Any testimony obtained under pressure shall be considered unlawful.

3. Right to a lawyer – professional protection from the very first stage
Under Georgian legislation, the accused has the right to have a lawyer from the first minute of detention or questioning.
This right includes:

Confidential meeting with a lawyer;
Their presence during questioning;
Advice: never give testimony without a lawyer.

4. Right to be informed – you must know what you are accused of
At the time of detention or bringing charges, the state is obliged to clearly and comprehensibly inform you of:

What crime you are accused of;
What evidence exists against you;
What rights you have in the process.
If this information has not been fully provided — it constitutes a procedural violation.

5. Right to dignified treatment
The accused is protected from improper treatment, torture, and degrading treatment.
The law prohibits:

Physical or psychological pressure;
Forced confession;
Inhumane conditions during detention.

6. Right to challenge evidence
The accused has the right to challenge evidence used against them if it was obtained in violation of the law.
For example:

Unlawful search;
Recordings obtained without court authorization;
Testimony obtained under coercion.
Evidence obtained in violation of the law is inadmissible and cannot be relied upon by the court when making a decision.

7. Right to an interpreter – if you do not understand the language of proceedings

If the accused does not speak Georgian, they have the right to use the services of a free interpreter.
This ensures:

Full protection;
Proper understanding of the process;
Communication with the lawyer and the court.

8. Right to trial within a reasonable time
The law provides that the case must be considered within a reasonable time, without undue delay.

9. Principle of equality before the court
The accused has equal rights with the prosecution:

To present evidence;
To question witnesses;
To participate in all procedural actions.

Why KH&PARTNERS?
In criminal proceedings, proper legal support often plays a decisive role. The KH&PARTNERS team is ready to protect your rights at every stage of the process — from detention to the final decision.

The KH&PARTNERS team will help you:

Correctly assess your legal situation;
Avoid critical mistakes when dealing with the investigation;
Effectively use all rights granted by law;
Develop a strong defense strategy based on evidence and procedural details.

Our philosophy: Calmness, reliability, and victory!

Why do clients trust us?

33+ years of experience in the field of law;
160+ lawyers in a global network;
2000+ business clients and satisfied customers;
96% success rate and 100+ acquittals;
ISO standards and the highest quality of service;
Insured legal services.

International scope
Our geography includes the countries: Georgia, USA, France, Spain, Ukraine, Turkey, China, South Korea, and others.

Contact us today and let us schedule a working meeting:
+995 595 17 17 41
info@khlaws.com
Tbilisi, Georgia