Criminal Defence · Switzerland
Find a theft lawyer in Switzerland who knows your canton
Swiss criminal law is unified at federal level, but the courts, the procedure and the language of the proceedings depend on the canton handling your matter. Tell us where your case stands and we match you, free of charge, with a theft lawyer in Switzerland who works with cases of this kind.
- Lawyers familiar with cantonal courts
- Free, no-obligation matching
- First response within 24–48 hours
Matching is free. Fees are agreed directly with the lawyer you instruct.
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Theft cases in Switzerland
How a theft case is handled in Switzerland
If a theft allegation has reached you in Switzerland — as a suspect, an accused person or a victim — the first weeks shape everything that follows. Swiss criminal law is unified at federal level, but the courts, the procedure and the language of the proceedings are organised canton by canton, so the way your case unfolds in Zürich is not identical to the way it unfolds in Genève, Lugano or Basel. A theft lawyer in Switzerland works inside that structure every day: reading the file, dealing with the authorities, protecting your procedural rights and preparing the arguments that matter. If you do not yet have representation, tell us briefly what happened. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles theft cases in the canton where your matter is being heard.
Switzerland in practice
Key Swiss time limits and how the courts are organised
Switzerland is a federal state of 26 cantons: substantive criminal, private and commercial law is unified at federal level, while the administration of justice and the organisation of the courts remain largely cantonal. The section below summarises the structural points that most often affect a client, followed by the standard time limits set out in federal legislation.
Federal criminal law, cantonal courts
Substantive criminal law is unified at federal level, but the administration of justice and the organisation of the courts remain largely cantonal. Each of the 26 cantons applies its own criminal procedure, so the authority handling your case, the timetable and the courtroom depend on where the matter is registered. Appeals go to a cantonal court of appeal and, ultimately, to the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne.
Who may act as your lawyer
To practise in Switzerland a lawyer needs a cantonal practising certificate and must be entered on the cantonal lawyers’ roll under the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers. A lawyer admitted in one canton may represent parties before judicial authorities throughout Switzerland, so you are not limited to the bar of the canton hearing the case. Cantonal supervisory authorities and the FSA/SAV oversee the profession.
Defence counsel and legal aid
In criminal proceedings the accused is entitled to a defence lawyer, and in serious cases — notably where detention or a heavy sentence is at stake — the appointment of defence counsel is mandatory. Where a civil compensation claim is also pursued, free legal aid under Articles 117–123 of the Civil Procedure Code may be available if you lack sufficient financial resources and the case is not devoid of any chance of success.
Costs in Swiss proceedings
In civil matters the claimant generally pays an advance on the court costs, and the unsuccessful party bears the costs of the proceedings. The court fixes party compensation according to the cantonal tariff. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client or, where no agreement exists, determined according to the cantonal fee schedules; there is no binding federal tariff.
Language of the proceedings
Switzerland has four national languages, and each canton determines its own official language. Proceedings are conducted in German, French or Italian depending on the canton, so a case in Zürich, Lausanne or Lugano will not run in the same language. If you do not speak the local language, your lawyer deals with the authorities and keeps you informed in a language you understand.
Appeals and cross-border matters
Appeals move first to the cantonal court of appeal and finally to the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne, where parties in civil matters must be represented by an admitted lawyer. Switzerland is not an EU member: relations with the EU rest on sectoral bilateral agreements, and the Lugano Convention of 2007 governs jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in cross-border disputes.
Country-specific statements on this page are drawn from official Swiss sources — Fedlex (federal legislation), the Federal Office of Justice and the Swiss Bar Association (FSA/SAV) — reviewed in 2025.
- Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers (BGFA)
- Swiss Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
- Swiss Civil Code (CC)
- Swiss Code of Obligations (CO)
- Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation
- Federal Act on Administrative Procedure
- Federal Office of Justice — Lugano Convention 2007
- Fédération Suisse des Avocats / Schweizerischer Anwaltsverband (FSA/SAV)
Common concerns
What makes a Swiss theft case hard to navigate alone
The rules are federal, but the practical experience depends entirely on where in Switzerland your case is handled.
The allegation arrives before you are ready
A letter, a summons or a police interview can arrive with little warning. Understanding what the document means, what you have to answer and what comes next is the first practical step in protecting your position.
Every canton runs its own system
Cantonal court organisation, procedure and language vary across Switzerland. A case in Bern, Basel or Biel/Bienne follows local rules, so working with a lawyer who is at home in that canton matters from the outset.
Costs and language feel unpredictable
Fees are agreed with your lawyer or set by cantonal schedules, and court costs follow cantonal tariffs. If your means are limited, legal aid may be available. Clear advice early on usually prevents unpleasant surprises later.
How it works
From your description to the right lawyer
Three simple steps, no legal knowledge required on your side.
You describe the situation once
Tell us what happened and where the matter is being handled. One short description is enough; we do not ask you to prepare a legal memo or to know which canton is competent.
A lawyer who handles theft cases
We match you with a lawyer whose practice covers theft allegations in the relevant canton, so you speak to someone familiar with the local courts and the procedure that applies to you.
Free matching, no obligation
Using the matching service costs you nothing. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer we introduce, and you agree the fees directly with that lawyer.
Clear next steps
After the introduction you should know who is dealing with your file, what the next procedural step is and which documents or information the lawyer needs from you.
Cross-border matters
Clients also come to us from
Switzerland is not an EU member, so cross-border cases are handled under sectoral bilateral agreements and the Lugano Convention. We regularly match clients with connections to the following countries.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about theft cases in Switzerland
How do I find a theft lawyer in Switzerland when the system is unfamiliar to me?
Start by describing the matter: what the allegation is, where it is being handled and what you have received so far. We then match you, free of charge, with a theft lawyer in Switzerland who practises in the relevant canton and handles cases of this kind.
Does my lawyer have to be admitted in the canton hearing the case?
No. Under the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers, a lawyer admitted in one canton may represent parties before judicial authorities throughout Switzerland. A cantonal practising certificate and entry on that canton’s roll are enough for the lawyer to act nationwide.
In which language will a Swiss criminal case be conducted?
Switzerland has four national languages, and each canton determines its own official language, so proceedings are held in German, French or Italian depending on the canton. Your lawyer manages correspondence with the authorities and explains each step to you in a language you understand.
Can I obtain state support for legal costs in Switzerland?
Free legal aid under Articles 117–123 of the Civil Procedure Code may be granted to a person who lacks sufficient financial resources and whose case does not appear devoid of any chance of success. It can cover advances and court costs and, where necessary, a court-funded representative.
How are lawyers’ fees set in Switzerland?
Fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client or, where no agreement exists, determined according to the cantonal fee schedules; there is no binding federal tariff. In civil proceedings the court fixes the party compensation payable by the losing party according to the cantonal tariff.
What happens if my case has a cross-border element?
Switzerland is not an EU member. Its relations with the EU rest on sectoral bilateral agreements, and the Lugano Convention of 2007 aligns jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments with the EU regime. A lawyer experienced in cross-border matters can advise on where the case should properly be heard.
Next step
Tell us about your case and we will find the right lawyer
Describe your situation in a few lines. Matching is free, there is no obligation to instruct anyone, and you decide whether the lawyer we introduce is the right fit for you.