Criminal Procedure Code at Iceland
Iceland's criminal procedure is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure No. 88/2008, which was enacted on June 12, 2008, and has been amended several times, with the most recent amendment being Act No. 18/2019 on March 29, 2019 . (Code of Criminal Procedure No. 88/2008 of June 12, 2008 (as amended up to Act No. 18/2019 of March 29, 2019), Iceland, WIPO Lex)
⚖️ Structure and Key Provisions
The Code of Criminal Procedure outlines the legal framework for criminal investigations, prosecutions, and trials in Iceland. Key features include:
Investigation and Prosecution: The police conduct criminal investigations under the direction of the prosecutor. The prosecutor decides whether to bring charges and represents the state in criminal proceedings.
Defendants' Rights: Accused individuals have the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to legal counsel, and the right to remain silent.
Court Procedures: Criminal cases are heard in district courts, which are composed of a judge and two lay judges. In certain cases, such as those involving serious crimes, the court may be expanded to include judges from the Court of Appeals . (Code of Criminal Procedure No. 88/2008 of June 12, 2008 (as amended up to Act No. 18/2019 of March 29, 2019), Iceland, WIPO Lex)
Appeals: Decisions made by district courts can be appealed to the Court of Appeals, and further appeals can be made to the Supreme Court of Iceland.
📄 Accessing the Code
The full text of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including its amendments, is available through the World Intellectual Property Organization's WIPO Lex database:
👉 Code of Criminal Procedure No. 88/2008 (as amended up to Act No. 18/2019)
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