The lawyer’s role in safeguarding suspects’ rights: A comparative study across Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania in the era of technological and criminal justice reform

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251422

Keywords:

Lawyer, Criminal Proceedings, Suspect, Human Rights, Protection Of Rights, Trial, Legal Aid, Investigative Actions

Abstract

Introduction: This study looks at the important job of lawyers in shielding suspects’ rights during criminal cases, with a focus on Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. The aim of the study is to analyze the lawyers’ role in protecting the suspects’ rights throughout the entire criminal procedure.

Methods: By using interviews, watching courtrooms, and analyzing themes and numbers, the research finds big problems and shows a need for changes across different fields. Special attention is given to how technology like AI and online proof is changing things as well as the health issues of suspects before trial or during it.

Results: Results show clear differences in legal actions across areas pointing out holes in support training and how resources are shared. Suggestions for policy include putting tech tools into use for better legal help͏ improving training to deal with health worries—and making uniform ways for working together between different areas.

Conclusions: Further research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of legal practices, analyzing technological changes, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the impact on suspects’ rights. This study contributes to the ongoing debate on criminal justice reform, providing actionable insights for improving legal practices and safeguarding human rights in a rapidly changing legal landscape.

References

1. Arriagada I. “This is where i belong:” A narrative study of professional commitment to a new criminal justice agency. Crime Law and Social Change, 2023;79(5):505–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-023-10080-3

2. Zarosylo V, Blyznyuk I, Grokholskij V, Bass V, Mikhno A. Comparative analysis of administrative and criminal punishments in Ukraine and some foreign countries and prospects for changes. Social and Legal Studios, 2023;6(4):251–258. https://doi.org/10.32518/sals4.2023.251

3. Barbu D. The fundamental criminal procedural obligation of the lawyer: Attorney-client privilege (confidentiality). Jurnalul De Studii Juridice, 2024;17(1–2):106–120. https://doi.org/10.18662/jls/17.1-2/102

4. Cape E, Hodgson J. The right to access to a lawyer at police stations: Making the European Union directive work in practice. New Journal of European Criminal Law, 2024;5(4):450–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/203228441400500404

https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251422

9 Chystiakova A, et al

https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251422

5. Johnston E. The adversarial lawyer and the client’s best interest: Failures with pre-charge engagement. The Journal of Criminal Law, 2024;88(1):3–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220183231225054

6. Yao K. Research on the protection of rights for defense attorneys. Deleted Journal, 2023;4(2):98–102. https://doi.org/10.54097/ajmss.v4i2.12228

7. Kościelniak-Marszał M. Conflicting interests of the accused and the freedom to choose an attorney. Deleted Journal, 2022;51:79–95. https://doi.org/10.32041/pwd.5106

8. Kulyk M, Tereshchenko Y, Bondarchuk A. Specificity of special knowledge use by the defense attorney in criminal proceedings. Uzhhorod National University Herald Series Law, 2024;2(80):160–165. https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2023.80.2.24

9. Sadler CA, Siegel JA. Indigent defense participation by private contractors and the role of compensation as an incentive. Justice System Journal, 2022;43(3):432–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/0098261x.2022.2112324

10. Sakowicz A. Suspect’s access to a lawyer at an early stage of criminal proceedings in view the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. Revista Brasileira De Direito Processual Penal, 2021;7(3):1979. https://doi.org/10.22197/rbdpp.v7i3.565

11. Mergaerts L. Defense lawyers’ views on and identification of suspect vulnerability in criminal proceedings. International Journal of the Legal Profession, 2021;29(3):281–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2021.1982719

12. Vásquez-Torres C.E. Role of the defense lawyer in the exercise of technical defense in cases of sexual rape of minors. Revista Científica Ratio Iure, 2024;4(1):e576. https://doi.org/10.51252/rcri.v4i1.576

13. Kiyanitsa V, Gunko, K. Regarding the defense counsel’s participation in criminal proceedings at the pre-trial investigation stage. Analytical and Comparative Jurisprudence, 2023;4:465–470. https://doi.org/10.24144/2788-6018.2023.04.75

14. Minitab. Data analysis, statistical & process improvement tools. [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.minitab.com/en-us/

15. Atlas.Ti Scientific Software Development Gmbh. ATLAS.TI is the #1 software for qualitative data analysis. [Internet]. ATLAS.ti, 2024, September 25Available from: https://atlasti.com/

16. Lumivero. NVIVO leading qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) by Lumivero. [Internet]. 2024, August 28. Available from: https://lumivero.com/products/nvivo/

17. How to Measure Frequency Hioki. [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.hioki.com/sg-en/learning/methods/frequency-measurement-methods.html

18. Diepeveen, A. The suspect’s statement in interaction: Responding to ‘formulations’ in the investigative interview. Journal of Pragmatics, 2024;220:47–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2023.11.010

19. Legal Provisions of Com (2011) 326 - Right of Access to a Lawyer in Criminal Proceedings and Right to Communicate upon Arrest. [Internet]. EU Monitor, 2024. Available from: https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j4nvhdfcs8bljza_j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/viq27c40x0ux

20. Access and Contact with Lawyer Apt. [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.apt.ch/knowledge-hub/dfd/access-and-contact-lawyer

21. Calculatorsoup. Mean calculator average calculator. [Internet]. CalculatorSoup, 2023, September 19. Available from: https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/statistics/average.php

22. Ankita. Different types of objections used in court. [Internet]. MatterSuite by CaseFox, 2023, September 28. Available from: https://www.mattersuite.com/blog/different-types-of-objections-in-court/

Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología – Serie de Conferencias. 2025; 4:1422 10

23. Guidance on Procedures for Considering Objections to Definitive Map and Public Path Orders Html. [Internet]. Gov.Uk, 2024, September 18. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rights-of-way-guidance-booklet/guidance-on-procedures-for-considering-objections-to-definitive-map-and-public-path-orders-html

24. Echr. HUDOC – European Court of Human Rights. [Internet]. 2024a. Available from: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{ %22itemid %22:[ %22001-79812 %22]}

25. Echr. HUDOC – European Court of Human Rights. [Internet]. 2024b. Available from: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{ %22itemid %22:[ %22001-158200 %22]}

26. Nelson MJ, Epstein L. Human capital in court: The role of attorney experience in US supreme court litigation. Journal of Law and Courts, 2021;10(1):61–85. https://doi.org/10.1086/714577

27. Correlation. Introduction to statistics JMP. [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.jmp.com/en_ca/statistics-knowledge-portal/what-is-correlation.html

28. Ibm Spss Statistics [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.ibm.com/es-es/products/spss-statistics

29. Zhylin, M., Tormanova, A., Poplavska, Y., Chernov, M. M., & Druz, O. (2023). Study of digital approach in education and psychology among selected users in Ukraine. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 6, e2023spe007. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2023spe007

30. Ishchenko, Y., Rusnak, A., Artemov, V., Syniavskyi, P., & Soroka, I. (2024). Psychological and pedagogical aspects of adaptation of students who received temporary shelter to the educational environment of another country. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v24i1.6766.

31. Valyukevych, T. V., Zinchenko, O. Z., Ishchenko, Y. O., Artemov, V., & Nechaiuk, L. G. (2021). Research-oriented framework of training philology students’ research skills based on Corpus analytical software. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(2), 671–680. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.10.2.671.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-13

How to Cite

1.
Chystiakova A, Kuzmichova-Kyslenko Y, Bilokin R, Moskalenko S, Stepanova H. The lawyer’s role in safeguarding suspects’ rights: A comparative study across Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania in the era of technological and criminal justice reform. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias [Internet]. 2025 Feb. 13 [cited 2025 Apr. 3];4:1422. Available from: https://conferencias.ageditor.ar/index.php/sctconf/article/view/1422