The official language for criminal proceedings in Lithuania is the Lithuanian language. However, you may request an interpreter if you don’t speak or understand Lithuanian.
Court hearing
The official language for criminal proceedings in Lithuania is the Lithuanian language. All of the court documents, including the protocols of hearings and the judgement will be prepared in Lithuanian.
If you do not speak or understand Lithuanian, you have the right to request an interpreter free of charge. When making submissions during a court hearing, you have the right to use the language you speak. The court must provide you with an interpreter even if your lawyer speaks Lithuanian.
The court is not obliged to provide an interpreter if you do speak or understand Lithuanian, but prefer to use another language in the court.
Special needs
If you have special needs such as hearing or visual impairment, the court has to provide help so you would be able to meaningfully participate in the proceedings.
Procedure outside the courtroom
You may request an interpreter during the meetings with your defence lawyer in several situations. Such situations include:
- meetings to prepare for questioning at the pre-trial stage
- the preparation for court hearings
- the preparation of written complaints (appeals) about decisions to the official in charge of your criminal procedure
- the preparation of written submissions for the review of restrictive measures, such as detention, the duty to report to police etc.
- the preparation of documents for written proceedings
- the preparation of appellate or cassation complaints
Certain important procedural documents must be translated for you in a language you speak and understand. Examples include: the detention decision, the prosecution’s indictment and the final judgements at all stages of the criminal proceedings.
You have a right to submit complaints and submissions, including your appellate or cassation complaint, in your own language.