Legal costs in criminal cases
The legal costs of criminal cases usually comprise legal counsel fees and the reimbursements paid to witnesses. If the defendant is found guilty, the defendant is also responsible for paying the legal costs of the victim. If the defendant is found not guilty, the state will pay the costs the defendant has incurred from defending themself.
Legal counsel fees
Usually, the party whom the legal counsel assists is responsible for paying the fee of the legal counsel.
- If the victim has a legal expenses insurance policy included in their home insurance, for example, the victim’s legal fees may be compensated by their insurance company. More information about the legal expenses insurances (oikeuspalveluvirasto.fi).
- If the victim or the defendant is unable to pay their legal counsel fees, they can apply for legal aid. More information about legal counsel fees (oikeuspalveluvirasto.fi).
- The fees of the legal counsel or support person of a victim of domestic abuse or a sexual offence are paid with public funds.
- A defendant who has committed a serious crime may be appointed a defence counsel paid with public funds.
Reimbursements to witnesses
Witnesses are entitled to reimbursement for any travel and subsistence costs and financial losses that they incur because of a court hearing. The reimbursement is paid by the party that named the person as a witness.
- The reimbursement is paid with public funds if the witness is named by the prosecutor or a party to the case who has been granted legal aid.
Court fees
If a prosecutor prosecutes a criminal case, court fees are not collected.
Victim surcharge
The victim surcharge is a fixed-amount surcharge. It is collected from those found guilty of an offence if the maximum punishment laid down in law for the offence is imprisonment. More information on the victim surcharge (riku.fi).