Criminal Proceedings and Misdemeanour Proceedings
All fieldsThe Sirel & Partners Law Firm provides legal assistance in both criminal and misdemeanour cases. Our lawyers have extensive experience in representing clients in pre-trial and judicial proceedings, particularly in the area of white-collar crimes. We have many years of experience at different levels of jurisdiction, and have negotiated on behalf of our clients with both investigators and prosecutors to conclude the proceedings. We represent clients in their communication with various law enforcement authorities, including the police and the prosecutor’s office. Lawyers also have extensive experience in defending the interests of victims in offence proceedings.
Often, especially in the case of white-collar crimes, the client becomes aware of a possible suspicion quite unexpectedly. Often with the first procedural act. It is important for the lawyer to be able to defend the client’s interests from the very start of criminal proceedings. Therefore, we are ready to respond promptly to our clients’ needs, regardless of the time of day or location.
Among other things, we provide the following legal services:
- advisory service to mitigate potential risks
- preparing a report of criminal offence for the commencement of criminal proceedings. If necessary, disputing the related rulings
- defending in misdemeanour and criminal cases in extrajudicial proceedings
- defending in general and summary proceedings
- defending the rights of victims in misdemeanour and criminal proceedings, preparing a civil action, if necessary
- disputing the seizure and confiscation of property
- representing before the European Court of Human Rights
Contact persons
Steven-Hristo Evestus
Sworn AttorneySworn attorney Steven-Hristo Evestus specializes in criminal law and criminal procedure, as well advises clients in whistleblower protection.
Steven-Hristo joined at Sirel & Partnerid Law Firm since 2023.
Steven-Hristo is a 2001 graduate of the University of Tartu`s Institute of Law and has been a member of the Estonian Bar Association since 2023.
Steven-Hristo has a long and meaningful experience in the public sector, working for approx. 17 years in the Prosecutor’s Office. In 2002 – 2018, Steven-Hristo worked in the positions of Assistant Prosecutor, District Prosecutor, Special Prosecutor, State Prosecutor and Chief State Prosecutor in the Northern District Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the Prosecutor`s General. The main areas of work were managing the pre-trial proceedings of professional, economic and money laundering cases and representing the state prosecution in all court levels. Also, in 2014-2018, he was a Member and Chairman of the Prosecutors’ Ethics Council and was involved in resolving issues of prosecutors’ professional ethics.
In 2019-2023 operated in the private and third sector.
In 2019-2023 Steven-Hristo worked as a content creator and trainer for e-learning trainings on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering and data protection for the cyber security company CybExer Technologies (later RiskSight).
In 2019-2023 Steven-Hristo participated in the activities of Transparency International Estonia (the accredited representative of Transparency International), both as a Member and the Chairman of the Board as well as Executive Director. In the non-governmental organization, his tasks included implementing the organization`s strategies, participating in projects and advocacy activities, and conducting anti-corruption and business ethics trainings for both the public and private sector organizations. He has also actively participated in the activities related to the proceedings of the draft law on the protection of whistleblowers and has trained several organizations in the principles and obligations arising from the adoption of the whistleblower protection directive. 2023 took part in the creation of the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre for whistleblowers launched under Transparency International Estonia and is now working as its volunteer expert.
Steven-Hristo has published opinion articles on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering topics and has provided legal evaluations of cases related to corruption and conflict of interest.
Among foreign languages, Steven-Hristo is fluent in English and Russian.
Artur Knjazev
Sworn Attorney / partnerSworn attorney Artur Knjazev specializes in dispute resolution in the field of commercial and corporate law. Artur has also advised clients in criminal law and criminal procedure, including cases Artur with international dimensions.
Artur joined Sirel & Partners Law Firm in 2023. Previously he worked at COBALT Law Firm. Besides working as an attorney, he also holds seminars at University of Tartu School of Law.
He has a master’s degree in law since 2016 from University of Tartu. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Estonian Bar Association, and a member of the Board of Association of Young Attorneys of Estonia since 2017.
Among foreign languages, Artur is fluent in English and Russian.