Murder case lawyer (Article 115 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code)

Legal assistance in criminal proceedings

• Defence following detention, service of suspicion and during interviews.
• Review of classification, self-defence and each participant’s alleged role.
• Work on expert findings and applications for examination of evidence.
• Representation of the injured party and an agreed civil claim.

Article 115 and the distinction between related offences

A person’s death does not by itself establish intentional murder. We examine intent, causation, the sequence of events and each participant’s actions. Distinguishing Article 115 from negligent homicide under Article 119 or grievous bodily injury resulting in death under Article 121(2) requires consideration of the complete circumstances. The method used, location of injuries and conduct before and after the event can matter; an expert report’s title does not settle classification.

Where self-defence is raised, counsel examines whether an attack was real, its danger, when it ended and the conditions of the defensive response. Article 118 cannot automatically apply to every confrontation, nor can self-defence be rejected solely because the consequences were severe. Each aggravating element alleged under Article 115(2) requires separate examination and supporting evidence.

Consultation and preparation for a procedural action

During a consultation, the lawyer separates established information from assumptions and identifies the immediate task: responding to a summons, challenging a restriction on property or requesting case materials. Provide complete copies of the summons, notice of suspicion or court order, together with records of actions already taken. The date a document was served can matter as much as its contents, so retain envelopes and delivery notifications.

A witness, injured party and suspect have different procedural rights. Counsel explains the right not to incriminate oneself or close relatives and checks whether the stated status reflects the person’s actual position. Preparing for an interview means reconstructing one’s own chronology and understanding the procedure; it does not mean rehearsing a preferred account. If an interview has already taken place without counsel, we examine its record and potential procedural consequences.

Online consultation with a lawyer

An initial document review and discussion can take place remotely. Before the meeting, identify the next hearing or interview date, any detention and current restrictions. Send complete materials through an agreed channel: an image of one paragraph may omit conditions essential to the assessment. Attendance at an investigative action or court hearing requires a separate arrangement; an online consultation does not automatically replace that attendance.

Working with Prikhodko & Partners

Clients receive explanations of specific procedural tasks: what needs checking, which application addresses the issue and what the investigator or court can decide. Our position rests on case materials rather than an assumption that any procedural defect will automatically end the proceedings. Authority to act, communication arrangements and the scope of instructions are agreed before the relevant work begins.

We check for conflicts of interest at the outset. Representing a suspect and an injured party in the same dispute cannot be combined contrary to professional requirements. Where another representative was previously involved, we establish which applications have been submitted and which orders remain effective, so that further steps do not contradict the existing position. Confidential matters are handled within the protections of lawyer-client confidentiality.

Forensic medical evidence and reconstruction of events

Counsel compares findings on the cause and time of death with scene examination records, medical material, CCTV and witness accounts. An expert does not decide the legal question of intent in place of the court. Where findings conflict, we formulate questions, consider grounds for supplementary or repeat examination and check whether all necessary objects were supplied.

For video, location records and other electronic data, provenance, time settings and completeness matter. Footage before or after the central event may change the reconstruction. Defence counsel checks how material was obtained and the grounds for its use; an injured party’s representative may request evidence overlooked by investigators. Altering files or coordinating witness accounts is not part of lawful representation.

Assistance for a bereaved family

A death does not automatically give every relative all procedural rights of an injured party. We check formal recognition, access to materials and participation in relevant actions. For compensation, we assemble evidence of expenses and harm and identify the proper defendant. Compensation and criminal liability address different issues; counsel explains which claims can be made within the particular proceedings.

Searches, property restrictions and preventive measures

During a search, counsel examines its legal basis, permitted scope and documentation of seized items. Accurate descriptions, packaging, continuity of recording and inclusion of objections in the official record can all matter. Keeping a copy helps establish exactly what was seized and the stated basis for retaining it. Returning temporarily seized property and lifting a court-imposed property restriction require different applications depending on the current procedural decision.

For a preventive-measure hearing, we prepare submissions on the basis for suspicion and the alleged procedural risks. Evidence of residence, health, employment and family responsibilities should address identified circumstances rather than form a generic bundle. Availability of bail or another measure depends on the offence, procedural stage and any special rules applicable at the time of the hearing.

Legal fees and scope of instructions

Fees depend on the available material, urgency, number of procedural actions and stage of proceedings. A single attendance, a specific complaint and representation through trial involve different commitments. We agree what is included, how further attendance is charged and whether an expert, interpreter or travel expenses are needed. A legal fee pays for agreed professional work rather than a predetermined court outcome.