The lawyer’s role in safeguarding suspects’ rights: A comparative study across Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania in the era of technological and criminal justice reform

Abstract

Introduction: this study examines the important role of lawyers in shielding suspects’ rights during criminal cases, focusing on Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania. Its aim is to analyze lawyers’ roles in protecting suspects’ rights throughout the criminal procedure. Method: by using interviews, watching courtrooms, and analyzing themes and numbers, the research finds big problems and shows a need for changes across different fields. Special attention is given to how technology like AI and online proof is changing things as well as the health issues of suspects before trial or during it. Results: the results show clear differences in legal actions across areas, pointing out holes in support training and resource sharing. Suggestions for policy include using tech tools for better legal help, improving training to deal with health worries, and making uniform ways for different areas to work together. Conclusions: further research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of legal practices, analyzing technological changes, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the impact on suspects’ rights. This study contributes to the ongoing debate on criminal justice reform, providing actionable insights for improving legal practices and safeguarding human rights in a rapidly changing legal landscape.