Access to Legal Assistance in Police Investigations

Although access to legal assistance in all stages of criminal process is predicted in international instruments and legal systems, but in some legal systems recognition of this right in police investigation stage faces challenges and boundaries. As many judicial decisions on the accused are made based on documents and evidences gathered by law enforcement officers, depriving the accused from right to legal assistance may endanger him/his right to legal defense. Although, some of the crime control model proponents believe that access to legal assistance may endanger crime detection, criminals detention and disclose of classified information of the case. This article aims to introduce findings of comparative criminal procedures about how to balance between concerns of criminal investigation and right to legal assistance. In addition, this intends to analysis deficiencies and shortcomings of procedural criminal law of Iran about right of access to legal assistance.