Poland
Criminal investigations in Poland
The prosecutor directs the pre-trial phase and personally conducts the more serious investigation; the Police execute investigative acts under prosecutorial supervision.
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Criminal investigation in Poland is directed by the prosecutor. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, preparatory proceedings are conducted by the prosecutor and, to the extent statute provides, by the Police (Article 298 § 1). The more serious form of investigation, the śledztwo, is conducted by the prosecutor; the lighter inquiry, the dochodzenie, is conducted by the Police unless the prosecutor conducts it; and the prosecutor may entrust the Police with either (Article 311). Where the prosecutor does not conduct the proceedings personally, the prosecutor supervises them (Article 326 § 1).
The same idea, explained generally
- What is a criminal investigation?
A criminal investigation is a legally authorised process for establishing whether an offence occurred and gathering evidence that can be tested in court. This guide explains its structure, safeguards, and known failure modes.
- What is due process?
Due process is the requirement that the state follow fair, established procedures before it takes action against a person. This guide explains what it typically includes and how it differs between systems.
Sources
Sources
Law of 6 June 1997 — Code of Criminal Procedure (Kodeks postępowania karnego), consolidated
Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (ISAP / ELI legal-acts service) · Legislation · 1997-06-06 · link verified 2026-07-26
The consolidated Code of Criminal Procedure (Dz.U. 1997 nr 89 poz. 555), fetched from the Sejm's official ELI service and confirmed verbatim. Supports Art. 298 § 1 (preparatory proceedings are conducted by the prosecutor and, to the extent provided by statute, by the Police); Art. 311 § 1–3 (the more serious investigation, śledztwo, is conducted by the prosecutor; the inquiry, dochodzenie, by the Police unless the prosecutor conducts it; the prosecutor may entrust the Police with either); and Art. 326 § 1 (the prosecutor supervises the preparatory proceedings to the extent he does not conduct them himself) — establishing that the prosecutor directs and supervises the pre-trial phase and the Police execute investigative acts under that supervision.