Gábor István
Lawyer · Budapest, Hungary
- 20 cases handled
- 12+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Hungarian
- Degree in law, University of Pécs
-
5.00(1 review)
Assault Charges in Hungary
This page is for a person accused of assault in Hungary, whether the charge is bodily harm (testi sértés) or disorderly conduct (garázdaság) after a fight, and for family helping from abroad. It explains how the case moves from the police to the court and what an English-speaking defence lawyer does.
About Assault Charges in Hungary
Assault charges in Hungary are usually brought as testi sértés (bodily harm, minor or serious depending on the injury) or, after a fight in a public place, as garázdaság (disorderly conduct, sometimes translated as rowdyism or breach of the peace). English speakers also say assault charge, bodily harm, causing injury or simply a fight that ended with the police. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Assault Cases”. This page is written for the person accused; it is general information, not legal advice.
Who needs this
Visitors questioned after a nightlife incident, residents in a dispute with a neighbour, drivers in a roadside argument and people accused by someone they know. Relatives abroad often search on their behalf after a call from a police station.
How a case runs in Hungary
- Police stage. The police may hold the person for a short period (őrizetbe vétel) and question them as a suspect (gyanúsított). Before questioning, the suspect is told what the accusation is and of the right to remain silent, to a defence lawyer (védő) and to an interpreter (tolmács).
- Measures while the case is open. A court may order pre-trial arrest (letartóztatás), criminal supervision (bűnügyi felügyelet) or a ban on leaving the country; the prosecution service (ügyészség) oversees the investigation.
- Minor bodily harm is as a rule prosecuted only at the injured person's request and may run as a private prosecution (magánvád), with a first hearing that tries reconciliation. Serious bodily harm and garázdaság are prosecuted by the state.
- Without any injury, a slap or a push may be treated as a petty offence (tettlegesség, a szabálysértés) rather than a crime.
What to pay attention to
Whether an injury counts as minor or serious depends on the medical findings, so the doctor's report (látlelet) matters from the first day. Self-defence (jogos védelem) is judged on the evidence: witnesses, phone videos, camera footage from the street or the venue. Mediation (közvetítői eljárás) may be possible for some offences where the accused accepts responsibility and makes good the harm. A statement signed in a hurry, in a language the person does not read, is hard to correct later.
What an English-speaking lawyer does
The lawyer attends the questioning, explains the charge and the stage of the case, studies the file, asks for evidence such as camera footage, argues against arrest or travel bans and represents the accused in court. Accusations within a family or a relationship are covered on the page on domestic violence allegations; a person who was hurt and wants a lawyer of their own reads legal representation for crime victims. A conviction can later show on a criminal record certificate. See also criminal law in Hungary.
Questions and answers
Nobody was hurt. Why is the charge garázdaság?
Garázdaság covers openly aggressive or violent behaviour that is likely to shock or alarm others; it does not require an injury. Whether it applies depends on the facts, and a lawyer checks how the police described them.
Can the case end if the other person withdraws?
For offences prosecuted only at the injured person's request, withdrawal or reconciliation can end the case within limits set by law. For serious bodily harm and garázdaság, the prosecutor decides.
Can I go home before the case is over?
Yes, unless a court measure prevents it. The case continues in the person's absence and papers go to the address given to the authorities, so a lawyer or a contact address in Hungary keeps the defence informed.
Will there be an interpreter?
Yes. A suspect who does not speak Hungarian may use their own language, and the authorities provide an interpreter for questioning and hearings.
1 lawyer who provides Assault Charges in Hungary
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What our clients say about our service in Hungary
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A capable, helpful lawyer for British people with a legal problem in Spain, and in Mallorca especially.
— Les30 Jan 2026Assault Charges -
The lawyer was very professional and put me at ease, particularly as she spoke English. All of my questions got answered. I would gladly hire her again if needed and will recommend her to everyone. Thanks once more, it was a pleasure meeting her.
— Paul27 Jun 2024Assault Charges -
The lawyer did an excellent job for me. Legal matters are a mystery to me, yet she saw me safely through a really hard period, which is finally over. I am more thankful than I can say, and I would certainly recommend her. All the best!
— Andrew16 Nov 2022 -
This was a highly professional and efficient service. Our urgent email got a reply almost immediately. The lawyer was very approachable and helpful in handling the case and translated everything into English for us. The service was excellent value for money, and we are completely satisfied with the outcome.
— Rhona16 Nov 2022 -
As an expatriate who does not speak the language, this was just the kind of support I needed, and it made me feel less like a stranger and more at home. The lawyer explained the process and procedure clearly and kept me well informed until I finally got through it. The help was excellent, and I am very satisfied with how it all ended. I thank her for the great work and wish her every success in her career.
— Ali25 Jul 2022 -
It has been a very long, nerve-wracking process, but that is for the court system to improve. Half of the trauma for me has been the waiting and not being able to move on. Very tough. I appreciate the lawyer very much in every respect.
— Peter10 Apr 2022 -
The lawyer was truly professional, ahead of the appointment date and on the day itself. He stayed very calm and reassuring, and I always felt in safe hands thanks to his trustworthy approach. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Canary Islands. He held several interviews with me before the date, going through many questions and providing advice that was excellent throughout, with never a sense of a time limit; he simply kept going till all of it was settled. His investigation of the case was superb and he had everything covered. On the day the result was the best possible outcome for me, and I am completely satisfied. 100% rating.
— T.D.09 Oct 2021 -
The lawyer made everything very clear and took me through it step by step, a real professional and a pleasure to deal with.
— Jessica03 Nov 2020 -
She was incredibly helpful and patient with me. She is very professional and knows exactly how to advise a distressed client, and I would recommend her to anyone.
— Stefan07 Sep 2019Assault Charges -
It was a first-class and very professional service, delivered at very short notice. Everything was under control within a short time. The lawyer was a man of his word: whatever he said he would do, he did. My family and I appreciate everything he did for my brother, and we thank him so much.
— Jason16 Jul 2019Assault Charges -
The lawyer provided a very professional and efficient service. I would certainly recommend her!
— Breda25 Jun 2019 -
A very sympathetic lawyer with excellent advice.
— John16 May 2019Assault Charges