Summary
Highlights
Criminal responsibility begins at age 12. Between 12-15, courts check 'fault capacity', and between 15-18, reduced sentences apply. Full criminal responsibility starts at 18. Deaf and mute individuals receive a three-year extension on these age thresholds (15 for responsibility, 21 for full capacity).
Criminal sanctions include imprisonment (aggravated life, life, and fixed-term) and judicial fines. Fixed-term sentences generally range from one month to 20 years. Judicial fines follow a 'day-fine' system, ranging from 5 to 730 days, with daily amounts based on socio-economic status.
Criminal proceedings begin with the 'Soruşturma' phase (investigation) led by the prosecutor, ending with the acceptance of an indictment. The 'Kovuşturma' phase (prosecution) occurs before a court and ends with a final judgment. Key terms include 'şüpheli' (suspect) in the investigation and 'sanık' (defendant) during the trial.
Turkey applies the principle of 'Mülkilik' (territoriality) in criminal law, where crimes are prosecuted if either the act or the result occurred within Turkish borders. Security measures like confiscation ('müsadere') are discussed, while reiterating that general confiscation does not exist in Turkish law.