For individuals and companies (workplace incidents) who are suspects, accused persons, victims, or witnesses in files about assault, bodily harm, threats, coercion, or blackmail. These cases often escalate quickly: statements, medical documents, messages, recordings, and sometimes protective measures. The next step is usually to secure the evidence, clarify the timeline, and choose a safe procedural strategy.
Informațiile sunt generale și nu înlocuiesc consultanța juridică. Contează faptele, actele și cronologia.
When you need this
- You received a summons after a complaint for assault, bodily harm, threats, or blackmail.
- There are cross-complaints (both sides filed complaints) and the file is becoming a “group” situation.
- The case involves domestic violence and you need advice on protection orders, safety measures, or no-contact rules.
- The main evidence is digital (messages, email, social media, recordings) and authenticity/context matters.
- There is a medical/forensic component (injuries, days of care) that can change the legal framing.
- You are accused of intimidation or pressure on witnesses, and communication must be handled carefully.
- The incident happened at work (employee vs employee, manager vs employee) and HR evidence exists (CCTV, access logs, policies).
- Blackmail allegations include demands for money, services, or “silence” in exchange for not disclosing information.
- You need a controlled plan for what to say (and what not to say) in front of police/prosecutor.
What we do in practice
- Urgent risk and timeline assessment: what happened, what documents exist, and what deadlines are near.
- Evidence preservation: secure originals (phones, chat exports, screenshots with context, CCTV, medical papers) and avoid contamination.
- Hearing preparation: statement strategy and assistance in hearings where the law allows, with focus on coherence and provable facts.
- Digital evidence review: metadata, continuity, context of conversations, and identification of missing parts or edits.
- Medical/forensic coordination: review of medical documents and, where relevant, planning around forensic certificates and causation issues.
- Protective measures: advice and representation regarding protection orders or procedural restrictions, including compliance planning.
- Requests and procedural steps: targeted evidence requests, confrontation planning, and clarifications when contradictions appear.
- Representation in court and coordination of civil aspects (damages) when they are attached to the criminal file.
- Group-case management: aligning positions where appropriate, avoiding inconsistent narratives, and separating roles (suspect/victim/witness).
Documents / information useful for a first assessment
| Document | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summons / complaint / case number | Shows the authority involved, the legal framing, and deadlines. | Bring all annexes and envelopes. |
| Messages (full threads) and email | Context and chronology are often decisive in threats/blackmail allegations. | Prefer exports or full captures, not isolated screenshots. |
| Recordings and call logs | May clarify intent, pressure, and sequence of events. | Keep originals and device details. |
| Photos, videos, CCTV | Supports or contradicts narratives about violence or injury. | Note dates/times and who controls the footage. |
| Medical documents / forensic certificate | Defines injury severity and links to causation. | If injuries exist, keep discharge papers and prescriptions. |
| Protection order documents (if any) | Shows restrictions and obligations with immediate impact. | Compliance is critical; keep proof of service/communication. |
| Witness list and contact details | Helps preserve evidence while memories are fresh. | Do not coach witnesses; keep contact details only. |
| Workplace documents (HR, policies, access logs) | Relevant for workplace incidents and internal investigations. | Include incident reports and disciplinary documents. |
Risks and common mistakes
- Contacting the other party after the complaint (especially when a no-contact measure exists).
- Trying to “fix” evidence by deleting messages, editing screenshots, or selectively cutting conversations.
- Posting about the case on social media or discussing details broadly (it creates contradictions and escalates conflict).
- Giving long, emotional statements instead of a fact-based chronology supported by documents.
- Ignoring medical/forensic steps (late documentation can weaken or distort the injury picture).
- Assuming a protection order is “just paperwork” and violating restrictions inadvertently.
- Mixing roles in group files (victim vs suspect vs witness) without a coordinated plan.
FAQ
Can a criminal case start based only on messages or screenshots?
Yes, a file can start from digital material, but outcomes depend on authenticity, context, continuity, and corroboration. A first assessment looks at the full thread, device/source, and what other evidence exists.
What is a protection order and how fast can it affect me?
Protection measures can impose immediate restrictions (distance, contact bans, removal from home, etc.) depending on the situation and procedure used. The practical priority is to understand exactly what applies to you and how to comply while protecting your procedural rights.
What should I do if I am accused of blackmail?
Do not negotiate “privately” or send messages that can be read as pressure. Secure the full communications history, map the timeline, and prepare a controlled approach to statements and evidence requests.
If both sides filed complaints, does that change the case strategy?
Often yes. Cross-complaints require a clean timeline, separation of incidents, and careful handling of evidence and witnesses to avoid contradictions. The strategy usually focuses on provable facts and proportionality.
Do I need a forensic medical certificate for an assault case?
If injuries exist, medical documentation can be important for the legal framing and for damages. The right document depends on the case type and stage; a first review clarifies what is useful and how to obtain it.
Can the parties reconcile or withdraw the complaint?
Some offences and procedural paths allow reconciliation or withdrawal effects, others do not. Any step in this direction should be evaluated strictly in light of the legal classification and the evidence already in the file.
Should I talk to the police immediately if I get a summons?
Before giving a detailed statement, it helps to review the summons, the acts you have, and the timeline, and to decide what can be proven. Early, controlled preparation reduces the risk of contradictions and unnecessary admissions.
Relevant pages
Surse
- Legea nr. 286/2009 privind Codul penal (Portal Legislativ)
- Legea nr. 135/2010 privind Codul de procedură penală (Portal Legislativ)
- Legea nr. 217/2003 pentru prevenirea și combaterea violenței în familie (Portal Legislativ)
- Poliția Română: ordinul de protecție provizoriu (informare)
- ANES: informații utile pentru victime (asistență)
- Directive 2012/29/EU (Victims’ Rights Directive) (EUR-Lex)
- Directive 2011/99/EU on the European protection order (EUR-Lex)
- Ministerul Justiției: material informativ despre ordinele de protecție (PDF)