The Problem
The police have arrested you. You are in a cell, and you don't know what comes next. Who decides if you go to jail? When will you see a judge? The uncertainty of the next 48 hours is the most stressful part of the entire legal process.
How the Law Works in Turkey
The first 48 hours follow a strict "Prosecutorial Review" timeline. Hour 0-24: You are in police custody (Gözaltı). Hour 24-36: You are transferred to the courthouse to meet the Public Prosecutor (Savcı). Hour 36-48: If the Prosecutor wants you arrested, you go before a "Criminal Judge of Peace" (Sulh Ceza Hakimi). The judge makes the final decision: Release, Judicial Control (Travel Ban), or Prison.
What the Tourist Should Do
Stay calm during transport. Do not talk to other detainees about your case, as they can be informants. Insist on seeing your lawyer before you meet the Prosecutor. Remember, the Prosecutor's office is the first real chance to get the case dropped before it ever reaches a judge.
The Risks
The biggest risk is making a mistake in your statement during the first 24 hours. If you admit to something due to stress or poor translation, it becomes almost impossible to take back later. Another risk is being transferred to the judge late at night when you are exhausted and less likely to defend yourself effectively.
LetFix Solution
The first 48 hours decide your future. Our criminal lawyers intervene at the Prosecutor level to present evidence immediately, aiming to secure your release before the judge even sees the file.
