Realization of the Purpose of Criminal Proceedings by the Investigator and by the Defense Counsel: Opposition or Interaction?

Abstract

The author discusses relationships between the prosecution and the defense during the preliminary investigation of a criminal case. Based on the analysis of contemporary Russian criminal procedure legislation and the links between the criminal procedure theory and criminalistics, the author concludes that it is necessary to single out the following forms of relationships between the defense counsel and the investigator: cooperation and counteraction to the investigation. The author, taking into account existing theoretical views, differentiates between these two concepts using the criterion of the legality of the actions of the sides. Correspondingly, it is suggested that cooperation is the activity of the sides carried out within the framework of the criminal procedure legislation and aimed at the realization of the purpose of criminal court proceedings as stated in Art. 6 of the Code of Criminal Proceedings of the Russian Federation. Using this as a basis, the author attempts to outline the procedural types of such interaction depending on the manner in which the defense counsel participates in proofing a criminal case. Firstly, there is a situation in which evidence is collected directly by the defense council. The author believes that in this case the investigator checks the evidence acting as an independent auditing body in the legal relationships and does not perform the function of the prosecution. Secondly, there is a procedural form of interaction when the defense counsel participates in the collection of evidence carried out by the side of the prosecution.