The Problem
You are handcuffed, placed in the back of a police car, and taken to a local station. The officers are speaking rapidly in Turkish, taking your fingerprints, and putting you in a holding cell. The fear of the unknown is paralyzing, and you do not know when you will be able to leave or speak to your family.
How the Law Works in Turkey
An arrest follows a strict legal timeline. First, you are placed in police custody (Gözaltı), which can last up to 24 hours for standard crimes (or up to 4 days for organized/terror crimes). After your statement is taken, the police must transfer you to the courthouse. There, a Public Prosecutor reviews the evidence and decides whether to release you or send you to a judge (Sulh Ceza Hakimi) with a request for formal arrest (Tutuklama) or judicial control (like a travel ban).
What the Tourist Should Do
Your only job is to invoke your rights. Say: "Susma hakkımı kullanmak istiyorum" (I want to use my right to remain silent) and "Avukat istiyorum" (I want a lawyer). Ask the police to notify your country's embassy. Do not answer questions about the incident, and absolutely do not sign the printed statement if you do not understand it completely.
The Risks
The critical risk lies in the first 24 hours. Without a lawyer, you might be intimidated into making a false confession due to poor translation. If the judge orders formal pre-trial detention, you will be transferred to a closed prison facility. You could remain there for months before your actual trial even begins.
LetFix Solution
The window between being detained at the station and facing the judge is your only chance to avoid prison. Our criminal defense lawyers intervene at the police station immediately to block unlawful questioning and fight for your release at the courthouse.
