Criminal Cases in Norway – What Rights Does a Detained Pole Have?

You've been detained by the police in Norway. What happens next?

Norwegian police are required to explain the reason for your detention, and to do so clearly and understandably. There’s no such thing as: "You'll find out at the station!" From the very first minute, the Norwegian officer is obliged to:

• state the reason for your detention (you must know why you are there),
• explain your rights,
• do so in a language you understand.

If the officer speaks Norwegian and you can't keep up — don't be afraid to ask for an explanation in a language you know. You have every right to do so, and it’s not a “favor” but a legal obligation. Information about your rights should also be presented in a way that you truly understand what you can and do not have to do.

If you have doubts about managing linguistically during questioning, don’t try to wing it—just tell the police you want an interpreter. In Norway, this is standard in virtually every case where the detainee does not know Norwegian well enough to participate in legal proceedings.

The interpreter should be present before questioning begins, so you know what you are signing and what questions the police are asking you.

You do not bear any costs for this—the state covers everything, regardless of how long the questioning takes or how serious the suspicion is.

The Norwegian legal system is quite friendly to detainees. If the case is serious, you get a defense attorney automatically. You don’t have to "ask" for anything, but you can always indicate a specific lawyer if you have a preference. A public defender is appointed when:

• you are detained for more than 24 hours – in this case, the police must refer the case to court, and you receive a defense attorney,
• the prosecutor requests pre-trial detention (varetektsfengsling) – here, a lawyer is mandatory,
• your case goes to court and the offense is punishable by imprisonment, usually longer than 6 months – a lawyer is provided already at the pre-trial stage,
• in other special cases – a lawyer can assess whether you are entitled to a state-funded defense attorney.

If you have a lawyer you know and want them to represent you, you can tell the police or the court, and in most cases your request will be granted.

Norway is not a movie where you get locked up for a week "for clarification." Detention has strict limits.

• Standard – up to 24 hours. During this time, the police must decide: either you are released, or the case goes to court.
• After a judge’s decision: if the police want to keep you longer, a judge must decide within 48 hours of your detention.

A judge won’t extend your detention just because they’re "in a bad mood." Strong arguments are needed: risk of escape, tampering with evidence, or risk of committing another crime. Without this, you go home.

Forget about American courtroom dramas. A Norwegian criminal trial is above all calm and matter-of-fact.

Everything starts with the preparatory proceedings, i.e., an investigation conducted by the police. This is when evidence is collected, witnesses are questioned, recordings or documents are analyzed. If they decide they have grounds, you formally become a suspect. This gives you access to the case files and full legal assistance.

After the investigation, the prosecutor decides whether the case will go to court, end with a fine, or be dropped entirely.

If the case goes to trial, you can expect a calm, factual process. No movie fireworks like in American cinema. The Norwegian court focuses solely on the facts—analyzing evidence, questioning witnesses, consulting experts.

When a verdict is reached, you may receive a fine, community service, prison sentence, or be acquitted. If the verdict is unfavorable, you also have the right to appeal.

This guide was prepared together with the law firm Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko, which for years has been supporting Poles living in Norway in criminal, family, labor, and compensation cases.

It’s a team of lawyers who understand both Norwegian realities and the specifics of life in the Polish expat community. Importantly—they handle cases in Polish and are available when help is most needed, often already at the moment of detention.

If you find yourself in a situation requiring quick contact with a lawyer, Advokatfirma Nierzwicki & Bluszko provides professional and effective support at every stage of the proceedings.