What does Hungarian law say?

Minor bodily harm: the injury heals within 8 days. The basic offence is only prosecuted on the victim’s private motion (Section 164 (10)); in the aggravated forms (e.g. base motive, defenceless victim) proceedings are brought ex officio.

Serious bodily harm: the injury takes more than 8 days to heal; proceedings are brought ex officio (Section 164 of the Hungarian Criminal Code).

What penalty can you face?

• Minor bodily harm: up to 2 years
• Serious bodily harm: up to 3 years
• Minor bodily harm with a base motive, against a defenceless person, or after drug use connected with the offence: up to 3 years
• Serious bodily harm with a base motive or purpose, against a person unable to defend themselves or express their will, or whose ability to defend themselves is limited by age or disability, causing permanent disability or serious damage to health, with particular cruelty, or after drug use connected with the offence: 1 to 5 years
• Endangering life or causing death: 2 to 8 years
• Preparation for serious bodily harm: up to 1 year
• Serious bodily harm by negligence: up to 1 year; against a defenceless, elderly or disabled person: up to 3 years; with life-threatening injuries: 1 to 5 years

Self-defence: an act necessary to repel an unlawful attack is not punishable. For offences against life, physical integrity and health, traffic offences and offences against property (misdemeanours, or felonies punishable by up to 3 years), admitting the offence before indictment and compensating the victim through mediation accepted by the victim can lead to no punishment at all; for offences punishable by up to 5 years the sentence can be reduced without limit (Section 29). This does not apply, among others, to repeat offenders, offences committed in a criminal organisation, or where the offence caused death.

What should you do now?

• Do not make a statement without a lawyer.
• Ask for an interpreter in your own language.
• Ask for copies of the official records and call us before the interview.
• If a family member has been detained in Hungary, find out where they are being held and call us immediately.

How we help

• We explain every document and every step of the procedure in English
• Proving self-defence
• Challenging the forensic medical opinion
• Mediation with the victim
• Representation during the investigation and in court

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between minor and serious bodily harm?

The healing time: within 8 days it is minor, over 8 days it is serious. The basic form of minor bodily harm is only prosecuted on the victim’s private motion.

I hit someone in self-defence. What happens now?

If it was lawful self-defence, it is not punishable, but it has to be backed up by evidence.

I live abroad. Who will try my case?

An offence committed in Hungary is dealt with by the Hungarian authorities. We can represent you and keep you informed in English.

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Call us now, day or night

Dr. László-Tamás Benő: +36 70 379 0245

Office: Falk Miksa utca 4, mezzanine 4, 1055 Budapest (by appointment only)

See also: Detained or arrested in Hungary · Hungarian version