The contradictory principle in the Czech criminal process and its manifestation before court

Abstract

This paper deals with the manifestations of the contradictory principle in Czech criminal proceedings, especially in proceedings before court. First, the contradictory principle is discussed in general.

Czech criminal proceedings belong to states where the so-called continental model of criminal proceedings is applied. In this model, the contradictory principle has a different application than in the common law model.

The main attention is paid to the role of the court (judge), public prosecutor and defendant in the main trial.

Keywords

• contradictory principle
• the right to a fair trial
• accusatory principle, basic principles of criminal procedure