Criminal Defence for High-Profile Individuals
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listIn this article
lightbulbKey Takeaways
- check_circleTwo fronts: criminal and reputational
- check_circleSlander: Art. 205 Criminal Code
- check_circlePrivacy: Art. 197 Criminal Code
- check_circleDefense-communications coordination
Quick answer
When the person under investigation is an executive, athlete or public figure, the case is fought on a double front — procedural and reputational — because the leak of a police report can convict in the social arena before any judgment exists, despite the presumption of innocence. The strategy combines controlling the information leaving the case file, protection against slander (Art. 205 CP) and serious insults published (Art. 208 CP), and reacting to the sharing of private data as an offence of disclosure of secrets (Art. 197 CP). The key is to coordinate the criminal defence with communications management so that a procedural statement and a public note never contradict each other.
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When the person under investigation is an executive, athlete, artist or public figure, the criminal proceedings are not fought in the courtroom alone. Reputational damage can be immediate and irreversible, long before any judgment exists. As criminal lawyers for high-profile clients, we work both fronts at once.
The Two Fronts: Procedural and Reputational
The presumption of innocence protects every suspect, but the leak of a police report or an indictment can convict in the social arena before trial. The strategy must address control of the information leaving the case file and protection of the client image, without interfering with the technical defence.
Protection Against Slander and Insults
Where a crime is falsely attributed, slander (Art. 205 Criminal Code) applies, punished with 6 months to 2 years in prison or a 12 to 24-month fine where published. Serious insults (Art. 208 Criminal Code) made publicly carry a 6 to 14-month fine. A victim of such conduct may join the proceedings as a private prosecutor.
Privacy and Leaks
Sharing recordings, messages or private data may constitute the offence of disclosure of secrets (Art. 197 Criminal Code). Identifying the source of the leak and reacting quickly to limit its spread is an essential part of defending an exposed profile.
Coordinating the Strategy
The key is coordination between the criminal defence and communications management: a procedural statement and a public note cannot contradict each other. Every step of the case is anticipated so that the legal and public narratives remain consistent.
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