Victim of a crime in Sweden?
You may have the right to your own lawyer, paid by the state. Ask the police for a lawyer from Ejder Advokatbyrå – our lawyers work in English.
Call +46 10 173 18 50 Call me back
Boka ett möteVictim of a crime in Sweden – your right to a lawyer
If you have been the victim of a crime in Sweden, you may have the right to your own lawyer – a counsel for an injured party (målsägandebiträde). The state pays, and you can suggest who it should be.
When you have the right to counsel
Once a preliminary investigation (förundersökning) has started, the court appoints counsel for an injured party
- in cases of sexual offences, unless it is obvious that you do not need one,
- in cases of crimes against life and health or against liberty and peace that can lead to prison (for example assault and unlawful threats), robbery, and attempts, preparation or conspiracy to commit such crimes, if your relationship to the suspect or other circumstances mean that you need one, and
- in other cases that can lead to prison, if your personal situation means that you have a particularly strong need.
Counsel is not appointed once the prosecutor has decided not to prosecute.
How to ask for us
If you want a particular lawyer, tell the police or the prosecutor, for example when you report the crime or at your interview. The person in charge of the investigation then notifies the court, which appoints the counsel. The court must appoint the person you suggest if he or she is qualified and there are no special reasons against it. You can ask for advokat Simon Boson, advokat Robert Klackenborn, legal associate Asrin Reza (who also speaks Arabic and Kurdish) or legal associate Alexander Bäckström at Ejder Advokatbyrå.
What your counsel does
Your counsel is on your side – the role is to look after your interests, not to be neutral.
- Prepares you before police interviews and is present when you are questioned.
- Makes sure you understand what is said. If no interpreter has been arranged, your counsel asks for the interview or hearing to be postponed until one is present, and speaks up if an interview becomes too long for someone who is elderly or ill.
- Presents and proves your claim for damages (skadestånd), for example compensation for injury, lost income and violation of your personal integrity (kränkningsersättning), and gathers the documents needed, such as medical certificates and receipts.
- Sits beside you in court, asks questions and asks the court to stop inappropriate questions to you.
- Stays with you until the time limit for appealing the judgment has expired, and can also represent you in the court of appeal if the prosecutor or the defendant appeals the verdict on guilt.
Access to the investigation
As an injured party you do not have the same right as the suspect to see the investigation while it is going on, and in many cases little or nothing is released until it is complete. Your counsel therefore explains to the prosecutor and the police why ongoing information matters in your case – with well-founded arguments, some information can often be obtained during the investigation. When charges are brought, you receive the investigation report (förundersökningsprotokoll), and your counsel goes through it with you.
What it costs
The state pays for your counsel – you do not pay anything for it. If the defendant is convicted, he or she – not you – may have to repay the cost to the state. Costs for evidence supporting your damages claim can also be covered once counsel has been appointed.
If the offender does not pay
If the person convicted does not pay the damages, you can apply for criminal injury compensation (brottsskadeersättning) from the Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority (Brottsoffermyndigheten). In cases where charges were brought on or after 1 September 2026, you can apply once the judgment has become final, without first going through the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden). In older cases, you must first turn to the Enforcement Authority. Your counsel explains how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for counsel for an injured party?
No. The state pays. If the defendant is convicted, he or she may have to repay the cost to the state.
Can I choose my own lawyer?
Yes. Tell the police or the prosecutor which lawyer you want. The court appoints the person you suggest if he or she is qualified and there are no special reasons against it.
Can I change my counsel?
The court can allow a change if there are special reasons. After one change, a further change requires exceptional reasons.
I do not speak Swedish. Can I still have a lawyer?
Yes. Our lawyers work in English, and you have the right to an interpreter at police interviews and in court.
Call +46 10 173 18 50 (weekdays 08:30–17:00) or leave your number, and we normally call back the same weekday. Offices and contact details
Reviewed by advokat Robert Klackenborn, October 2026.