Investigative errors in the preparation of the interrogation protocol and their use by the defense

Abstract

In the article, investigative errors in the preparation of the interrogation protocol are considered in the context of their use for the purposes of defense in a criminal case. Emphasis is placed on the most common mistake made in pre-trial proceedings — lack of records of the questions asked and the replies received by the person being questioned (question-and-answer part of the interrogation protocol). For the first time in the legal literature, certain types of tactics for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the principal, based on the use of such errors, are considered in detail. The choice of defensive tactics is associated with two grounds: first, the direct personal participation of the lawyer in the interrogation process is taken into account, followed by familiarization with the text of the protocol; secondly, the absence of a lawyer during the interrogation and familiarization with the text of the interrogation protocol after the end of the preliminary investigation or inquiry are taken into account. For each of the grounds, typical protective situations affecting the tactical features of the lawyer’s behavior are considered. Reasonable defense tactics require the construction of business, professional relations between the defense lawyer and the investigator (interrogator). The chosen tactic involves the submission by the lawyer of applications for the addition and clarification of the interrogation protocol, refusal to sign the interrogation protocol, filing motions and filing complaints about illegal actions of officials who refuse to eliminate the violations committed in the preparation of the interrogation protocol. In addition, the provision by the defence counsel of assistance to the investigator and the inquirer aimed at preventing and eliminating errors is not excluded. When drafting petitions and complaints, attention is paid to the reasoning of the stated requirements and recommendations are given on their content.