Criminal and fiscal criminal law in Poland
Criminal lawyer in Poland support should match the exact stage of the proceedings. A first statement, the release of a document or an unconsidered contact with another participant may affect the entire case. Before any procedural step, it is important to establish the person’s status, the alleged offence, the material already known to the authority and the risk of preventive measures.
Tomasz Piotr Chudzinski & Partners Law Firm defends suspects and defendants and represents victims of crime. We handle business crime, fiscal criminal, managerial and medical cases, as well as other complex proceedings that require extensive document review or cooperation with experts.
We do not claim permanent 24-hour availability. However, a contact form submission should clearly identify any detention, planned interview, search or detention hearing so that the matter can be prioritised correctly.
Describe the stage of the criminal proceedings
Who we represent in criminal cases
We assist, in particular:
- business owners, board members, shareholders and managers;
- doctors, dentists and managers of medical entities;
- people who have been detained, accused or charged;
- victims of crime, including companies affected by fraud or misappropriation;
- foreign nationals involved in criminal proceedings in Poland;
- people summoned for questioning whose procedural status is unclear;
- organisations conducting an internal investigation.
Before accepting instructions, we carry out a conflict check. In multi-party proceedings, the interests of a company, its board members and employees may differ even if they initially present the same position.
Criminal lawyer in Poland: scope of assistance
Detention, searches and the first procedural steps
We help a detained person and their family identify the authority, location and current procedural status. We attend interviews and examine the lawfulness of detention, searches, seizure of property and securing of electronic data.
When a search concerns a business, the immediate task is to preserve operational continuity without obstructing the authorities. We organise communications, identify responsible personnel, secure copies of records and address material protected by professional or commercial confidentiality.
Pre-trial detention and other preventive measures
We represent clients at hearings concerning pre-trial detention and applications to extend it. We prepare complaints and applications to vary the measure. Our analysis covers the general statutory grounds, alleged procedural risks and whether a less restrictive measure may be sufficient.
Every case requires concrete material about the person’s private, professional and procedural circumstances. A family’s or employer’s belief in the person’s innocence cannot replace submissions directed to the legal grounds for detention.
Business crime and managerial liability
We handle allegations involving fraud, misappropriation, acting to the detriment of a company, unreliable business records, frustrating creditors, commercial corruption and other conduct connected with business activity. We review board decisions, document flows, contracts, financial transactions and the allocation of responsibilities.
A commercial dispute does not automatically become a criminal offence. Equally, civil proceedings do not rule out criminal liability. We distinguish a contractual failure from conduct that may satisfy the statutory elements of an offence. Where necessary, we coordinate the criminal strategy with commercial dispute proceedings in Poland.
Fiscal criminal offences and tax-related allegations
We defend clients in cases involving tax settlements, invoices, accounting records, declarations, payer obligations, excise duties and other fiscal obligations. We first identify who was responsible for the relevant area, what that person knew and did, and what role was played by accountants and external advisers.
We also consider voluntary submission to liability, voluntary disclosure and other legal solutions where the facts and the stage permit them. No statement should be made before checking whether it could harm the client’s position in another proceeding.
Criminal liability in medical activity
We represent doctors and managers of medical facilities in proceedings concerning treatment, medical records, alleged exposure of a patient to danger, diagnostic or therapeutic errors and the organisation of healthcare services. A criminal case may proceed at the same time as civil, disciplinary or regulatory proceedings.
For that reason, we keep the strategies consistent and identify matters requiring expert evidence. The broader scope of assistance is described on our page concerning legal services for doctors and medical entities in Poland.
Defence during investigations and court proceedings
We attend interviews, review case files, submit evidence applications and prepare the defence position. We then act before the court, prepare appeals and advise on the consequences and enforcement of the judgment.
The strategy follows the evidence, not only the wording of the allegation. At every stage we assess new documents, expert opinions and the statements of other suspects or defendants.
Representation of victims and affected companies
We prepare criminal complaints, represent clients during investigative steps and pursue compensation where there is a proper basis. In business cases, we organise the records to explain the alleged mechanism, identify responsible persons and demonstrate the connection with the loss.
Not every failed contract justifies a criminal complaint. We first assess whether the material indicates an offence, whether civil proceedings are more appropriate and whether parallel steps are needed to preserve assets or evidence.
Internal investigations
We support companies in preserving documents, defining the scope of an incident and conducting interviews. We advise who should lead the work, how confidentiality should be protected and how employee rights can be respected.
The outcome may support a decision about a criminal report, a civil claim, corrective procedures or cooperation with an authority. We define our role clearly so that an investigation led by the client’s lawyers is not inaccurately presented as an independent audit.
How we begin a defence or victim representation
1. Status, authority and deadline
The contact form should state whether the person is detained, suspected, charged, accused, a victim or a witness. It should also identify the authority, the planned action and the nearest deadline.
2. Conflict check and essential material
We identify the people and organisations involved. We then explain which documents can be transferred safely. A large, unstructured archive should not be sent before the initial conflict and scope check.
3. Risk assessment and first action
We assess the risk of loss of liberty, asset seizure, disqualification and disruption to business or professional activity. We then determine the first procedural step.
4. Strategy for the later stages
After reviewing the available material, we update the evidence and communications strategy. Where proceedings overlap, we coordinate the positions to avoid unnecessary inconsistencies.
When to contact the Law Firm
Prompt contact is particularly important when:
- a person has been detained or a detention hearing has been scheduled;
- a summons for questioning has been served and the person’s status is unclear;
- an authority is searching business premises or securing devices and documents;
- a business owner or board member has been charged;
- a tax or customs authority has identified a possible fiscal offence;
- a patient or authority challenges the conduct of a doctor;
- a company has suffered fraud, misappropriation or abuse;
- an internal investigation is required.
Frequently asked questions
Should a suspect answer questions at the first interview?
The answer depends on the person’s status, the information available about the evidence and the procedural risk. The allegation, the formal cautions and the purpose of the interview should be understood before a decision is made.
What can the family of a detained person do?
The family should identify the authority, the place of detention and the basic details required for a lawyer to become involved. They should avoid discussing the facts publicly before the risks have been assessed.
Do you defend board members in fiscal criminal cases?
Yes. We examine the allocation of duties, the relevant accounting documents and the role of advisers. Holding a board position does not automatically determine liability for every tax settlement.
Do you represent companies that are victims of crime?
Yes. We help preserve evidence, prepare a properly supported report and represent the company in the proceedings, subject to a conflict check.
Do you act for foreign nationals detained in Poland?
Yes, if we can accept the matter and arrange communication appropriate to the circumstances. The initial submission should identify the language, nationality, authority, place of detention and the next planned procedural step.
Do you need a criminal lawyer in Poland?
Use the contact form to state the person’s status, the authority, the stage, the nearest deadline and a short description. Mark any detention or scheduled hearing as urgent. After checking for conflicts of interest, we will explain the appropriate next step.
