Criminal Defence · Lithuania
Find a theft lawyer in Lithuania
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Theft cases in Lithuania
What to do when a theft allegation is made
If you are facing a theft allegation in Lithuania, the early stages matter: statements are taken, evidence is gathered and decisions on procedural measures can follow quickly. The same events may also give rise to a civil claim for compensation, which is why the criminal and civil sides are often considered together. Before you decide how to proceed, it helps to understand which court will hear your case, whether a defence counsel is required and how legal aid works in Lithuania. We are a matching service, not a law firm. We listen to your situation and connect you, free of charge, with a theft lawyer in Lithuania whose practice covers criminal defence. You keep control of every decision.
Lithuania in practice
How theft cases work in Lithuania
Lithuanian criminal procedure is built on statutes and a three-tier structure of general courts, with district courts hearing most cases at first instance. If you are involved in a theft case, the practical questions are who may represent you, in which language, and how defence costs are covered.
A continental criminal-law system
Lithuania follows the continental (civil law) model. Statutes, rather than judicial precedent, are the primary source of law, although the uniform case law of the Supreme Court of Lithuania guides interpretation. The legal order rests on the Constitution of 1992, the Criminal Code and the codes of procedure, with reform aligned to EU law after the 2004 accession.
Which court deals with a theft case
Cases of theft are heard by the courts of general jurisdiction. The twelve district courts (apylinkių teismai) hear the majority of criminal cases at first instance. Appeals go to the five regional courts (apygardos teismai) and then to the Court of Appeal of Lithuania; the Supreme Court of Lithuania is the sole court of cassation and forms uniform case law.
Defence counsel: a right, sometimes a duty
In criminal proceedings the defendant has the right to a defence counsel. In certain cases the participation of defence counsel is mandatory — for example where the accused is unable to defend themselves, or in serious cases. Representation by an advocate is required for cassation appeals before the Supreme Court of Lithuania.
Who may act as an advocate
The title of advocate (advokatas) is reserved to persons entered on the register kept by the Lithuanian Bar Association, a self-governing public-law body. Advocates must hold a law degree, be of impeccable reputation, command Lithuanian, pass the qualification examination and take the oath, normally after practice as an advocate’s assistant. Lawyers qualified in another EU Member State may provide services under the Law on the Bar.
Language of the proceedings
The language of the Lithuanian courts is Lithuanian. Statements, procedural documents and hearings are conducted in that language, which is why clients who live abroad or do not speak Lithuanian usually rely on an advocate to prepare the file, correspond with the authorities and explain each step in a language they understand.
Fees and state-guaranteed legal aid
Advocates’ fees are freely agreed with the client; there are no binding official tariffs, only non-binding recommendations on the calculation of fees. State-guaranteed legal aid has two forms: primary legal aid, free to everyone through the municipalities, and secondary legal aid, which covers defence, representation and litigation costs for applicants whose income and property fall below the statutory thresholds, at 100% or 50%.
Country information is drawn from official Lithuanian sources (Teismai.lt, the e-Seimas legal register, the State Tax Inspectorate, the State Labour Inspectorate) and the EU e-Justice Portal, consulted in 2025.
- Judicial system of Lithuania — Teismai.lt
- Law on the Bar (Advokatūros įstatymas) — e-Seimas
- Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania (limitation periods, succession) — e-Seimas
- Labour claim periods — e-Seimas
- Administrative proceedings time limits — e-Seimas
- Stamp duty (žyminis mokestis) — State Tax Inspectorate (VMI)
- Legal aid in Lithuania — EU e-Justice Portal
- Labour Dispute Commission — State Labour Inspectorate
Common concerns
What worries clients most
These are the situations we hear about most often when someone searches for criminal defence help in Lithuania.
You do not know what happens next
A theft allegation can move quickly: statements, evidence gathering and decisions on procedural measures. Without someone familiar with Lithuanian criminal procedure, it is hard to judge which steps are urgent and which can wait.
Language and unfamiliar courts
Court proceedings in Lithuania are conducted in Lithuanian. Documents, hearings and correspondence follow a structure that is difficult to navigate alone, particularly if you live abroad or do not speak the language.
Costs feel unpredictable
Advocates’ fees are agreed freely with the client and there are no binding official tariffs. Without a sense of what is customary, comparing offers — or checking whether state-guaranteed legal aid is available — becomes guesswork.
Why use our service
How we help you find the right advocate
We do the first sorting for you, so you can speak to a lawyer whose practice actually fits your situation.
Matching, not advice
We are not a law firm and we do not assess your case. We identify advocates in Lithuania whose practice covers criminal defence and put you in contact with them.
Free and without obligation
Using the service costs you nothing. There is no commitment to instruct anyone, and you remain free to compare the options we send you before making a decision.
Country-specific focus
We work with lawyers who practise within the Lithuanian system — its courts, its language and its rules on representation — rather than generic advisers who never appear before those courts.
Clear next steps
You tell us briefly what happened and how you would like to be contacted. We come back with a shortlist, so your first conversation with a lawyer starts from the facts rather than from introductions.
Also available in
Other European countries we cover
We match clients with specialist lawyers across Europe, including the countries below.
Questions
Theft cases in Lithuania: common questions
Do I need a theft lawyer in Lithuania if I can explain my side myself?
In Lithuanian criminal proceedings you have the right to a defence counsel, and in certain cases — for example where the accused cannot defend themselves, or in serious cases — the participation of defence counsel is mandatory. Representation by an advocate is also required for cassation appeals before the Supreme Court of Lithuania. A lawyer can help you understand each procedural step either way.
Which court will hear a theft case in Lithuania?
Theft cases are heard by the courts of general jurisdiction. The twelve district courts (apylinkių teismai) decide the majority of criminal cases at first instance. An appeal goes to one of the five regional courts, then to the Court of Appeal of Lithuania. The Supreme Court of Lithuania is the sole court of cassation and forms uniform case law.
Can I get free legal help for a theft case in Lithuania?
State-guaranteed legal aid comes in two forms. Primary legal aid — information, consultation and help drafting simple documents — is free for everyone through the municipalities. Secondary legal aid, provided by advocates through the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid Service, covers defence, representation and litigation costs for applicants below the statutory income and property thresholds, with the state paying 100% or 50%.
Who is allowed to represent me as an advocate in Lithuania?
The title of advocate is reserved to persons on the register kept by the Lithuanian Bar Association. Advocates must hold a law degree, be of impeccable reputation, command Lithuanian, pass the qualification examination and take the advocate’s oath, normally after practice as an advocate’s assistant. Lawyers qualified in another EU Member State may also provide services under the Law on the Bar.
In what language are Lithuanian criminal proceedings conducted?
The language of the Lithuanian courts is Lithuanian. Procedural documents, statements and hearings are conducted in that language, so clients who do not speak it usually depend on their advocate to prepare the file and explain each stage of the case to them.
How much does a theft lawyer in Lithuania cost?
Advocates’ fees in Lithuania are freely agreed between the advocate and the client, and there are no binding official tariffs. The Ministry of Justice and the Council of the Bar Association publish non-binding recommendations on the calculation of fees. Ask any lawyer you are considering for a written fee agreement before you instruct them.
Next step
Tell us about your case
Describe briefly what happened, where in Lithuania the matter is being handled and how you would like to be contacted. We will match you, free of charge, with an advocate whose practice covers criminal defence, and you decide what to do next.