Criminal law

Criminal defence in Georgia

Legal assistance in Tbilisi at detention, investigation and trial stages. Defence of the accused, assistance to victims and advice for witnesses.

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A legal strategy starts with the facts

Tell us what happened, where the person is and what procedure is scheduled. We first check whether we can accept the matter, conflicts of interest and urgent deadlines, then agree the lawyer’s involvement and scope.

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Find your situation

Open a practice area to see its details and services.

01Detention: help from the first stepsHas someone close to you been detained, taken to a police station or scheduled for a first hearing? Establishing their location, the grounds for detention and the next procedural step matters immediately.

Has someone close to you been detained, taken to a police station or scheduled for a first hearing? Establishing their location, the grounds for detention and the next procedural step matters immediately.

We clarify the circumstances, review available documents, arrange agreed involvement of defence counsel and prepare for the next procedure. Communication with family respects the client’s wishes and confidentiality.

What assistance includes

Legal assistance upon detention
Meeting the detained person and confidential advice
Assessment of detention lawfulness and legal action
Review of the detention record and procedural documents
Preparation for the first court hearing
Communication with relatives within agreed limits

02Investigation: building the defenceHave you been summoned, charged, searched or had property seized? We first identify your procedural status, the documents involved and the matters requiring a timely response.

Have you been summoned, charged, searched or had property seized? We first identify your procedural status, the documents involved and the matters requiring a timely response.

We compare the prosecution’s account with the material and the client’s explanation, identify gaps and inconsistencies, and prepare lawful evidence-gathering steps, motions and complaints. Participation in individual procedures is agreed.

What assistance includes

Advice before attending the police or prosecution office
Explanation of witnesses’ rights and duties
Assistance during interviews and questioning as permitted by law
Defence of the accused and assessment of the charge
Case review and defence strategy
Lawful collection and submission of defence evidence
Expert examination issues and related motions
Review of searches, seizures and other procedural actions
Preparation of procedural motions and complaints
Assessment of grounds to discontinue prosecution

03Bail and other preventive measuresIs detention being sought, or are the terms of an existing measure creating difficulties? We examine the grounds, risks and documents relevant to the court.

Is detention being sought, or are the terms of an existing measure creating difficulties? We examine the grounds, risks and documents relevant to the court.

We prepare individual arguments, supporting information about personal circumstances and lawful alternatives, and assess grounds for variation or appeal. The decision on the measure belongs to the court.

What assistance includes

Representation at a preventive-measure hearing
Arguments for a less restrictive alternative to detention
Advice on bail amount and conditions
Motions to vary or revoke a measure
Appeals where available under law

04Court: from the pre-trial hearing to judgmentHas the case reached court? The defence needs a clear position, prepared witness questions and arguments addressing each significant item of evidence.

Has the case reached court? The defence needs a clear position, prepared witness questions and arguments addressing each significant item of evidence.

We prepare for hearings, assess admissibility and substance, participate in examining evidence and present the final defence position. Requests for acquittal, changes to the charge or mitigation are grounded in the case material.

What assistance includes

Defence at the pre-trial hearing
Defence at trial
Motions concerning admissibility of evidence
Preparation for and questioning of witnesses and experts
Opening and closing defence submissions
Arguments for acquittal or changes to the charge
Presentation of mitigating circumstances

05Plea agreements: understanding the termsHave you been offered an agreement? Before deciding, understand the proposed sentence, admissions, obligations, property consequences and the available scope of further challenge.

Have you been offered an agreement? Before deciding, understand the proposed sentence, admissions, obligations, property consequences and the available scope of further challenge.

We assess the offer against the case position, explain consequences and participate in agreed negotiations. The decision must be informed and voluntary; we prepare the client for the court’s consideration of the agreement.

What assistance includes

Assessment of whether an agreement is available and appropriate
Participation in negotiations over terms
Explanation of terms and legal consequences
Representation when the court considers the agreement

06Judgment: review and appealsDo you disagree with a judgment, or have important new circumstances emerged? We need the decision, its receipt date and the material necessary to assess further proceedings.

Do you disagree with a judgment, or have important new circumstances emerged? We need the decision, its receipt date and the material necessary to assess further proceedings.

We examine the reasoning, procedural issues and assessment of evidence, then identify the available route, deadlines and arguments. Appeal, cassation and reopening have different grounds and requirements.

What assistance includes

Review of the judgment and case file
Appeal preparation and representation
Cassation application and representation
Assessment of reopening on newly revealed circumstances

07Victims: protecting your interestsHave you suffered violence, fraud or another alleged offence? We help set out the facts, identify available rights and preserve material supporting the incident and resulting loss.

Have you suffered violence, fraud or another alleged offence? We help set out the facts, identify available rights and preserve material supporting the incident and resulting loss.

We prepare reports and applications and examine victim status and information rights. Compensation is assessed separately: criminal proceedings do not automatically replace every claim for damages.

What assistance includes

Preparation of a crime report
Assistance concerning recognition as a victim
Assistance accessing available information and decisions
Victim applications, requests and complaints
Assessment and preparation of a damages claim

08After judgment: sentence-related mattersHas an issue arisen during a sentence or probation? We review the judgment, time served, restrictions and documents relevant to the particular application.

Has an issue arisen during a sentence or probation? We review the judgment, time served, restrictions and documents relevant to the particular application.

We assess the applicable mechanism and eligibility, assemble supporting material and prepare the application. Amnesty, pardon and conditional early release are different procedures, each requiring a separate assessment.

What assistance includes

Legal assistance concerning conditional early release
Assessment of replacing the unserved part of a sentence
Advice and representation concerning probation
Advice on removal or expiry of a criminal record
Advice and documentation concerning amnesty and pardon

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Types of matters you can discuss with us

The name of an offence does not tell the whole story. We examine the person’s role, facts, documents and procedural stage before defining the engagement.

Fraud and property offences
Misappropriation, embezzlement and theft
Violence, threats and bodily injury
Domestic violence criminal cases
Drug-related offences
Criminal proceedings arising from road incidents
Economic, business and official misconduct offences
Cybercrime and online fraud
Weapons-related offences

+Specialist and international matters

We first assess the necessary expertise and available procedure. Work involving minors is agreed after checking the required specialisation; international matters follow an assessment of jurisdiction, documents and eligibility.

Defence of minors and assistance to child victims
Legal assistance concerning extradition
International wanted-person proceedings and INTERPOL notices
Assessment of an application to the European Court of Human Rights

Not sure where to start?

Describe events in your own words: who is involved, what has happened and the next date. We will help identify the first legal step and documents needed.

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If the matter is urgent

For detention or a scheduled interview, specify the authority, location, time and procedural status immediately. An accused person has rights to counsel and silence; clarify the rights and duties applicable to the particular procedure with a lawyer. Do not delete or alter potentially relevant material.

What to prepare for first contact

A short chronology, summons or decision, case number if available, relevant authority and next date. Keep the initial message brief; we will separately agree how to provide the complete material.

How the work begins

Initial assessment

We clarify status, urgency, documents and whether we can accept the case.

Agreeing the engagement

Before the agreed work begins, we specify stages, scope, fees, VAT and separate expenses.

Representation and communication

We handle the agreed stage and keep you informed of significant actions and next steps.

Criminal defence lawyer

Giorgi Bortsvadze

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Fees and common questions

What does legal assistance cost?

Fees depend on the stage, urgency, material and scope of involvement. Advice and case representation are agreed separately. The amount, VAT, travel, translation and other separate expenses are clarified beforehand.

Can a family member contact you?

Yes. A family member may provide the circumstances and location. Acceptance of the engagement, authority and information that may be shared are checked separately with the client’s interests in mind.

Can the process begin from abroad?

An initial discussion can take place remotely. Personal attendance, authority documents and particular actions depend on the procedure; remote communication does not replace all procedural requirements.

Legal framework: Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia

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Discuss your situation

+995 595 515 117