All Procedural Rights Directives Now Apply
Thomas Wahl
The transposition period for the directive on special safeguards for children in criminal proceedings (Directive 2016/800) ended on 11 June 2019. Together with the directive guaranteeing access to legal aid (Directive 2016/1919), which had to be transposed by 25 May 2019, it is the last piece of legislation that had to be implemented according to the 2009 Roadmap for strengthening procedural rights of suspected or accused persons in criminal proceedings.
The acts complement the other rights that already apply, i.e.:
- The right to be presumed innocent and to be present at trial (Directive 2016/343);
- The right of access to a lawyer (Directive 2013/48);
- The right to information (Directive 2012/13);
- The right to interpretation and translation (Directive 2010/64).
The Commission advised the Member States to implement the recent Directives as soon as possible if they have not done so yet. The Commission provides support through workshops or expert meetings.
News Guide
EU Procedural SafeguardsAuthor
Thomas Wahl
Institution:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law (MPI CSL)
Department:
Public Law Department
Position:
Senior Researcher