Reasonable Search. Between Effectiveness of Investigation and Rights of Individual
The project focuses on theory and practice of searches as mechanisms commonly used during criminal investigation and primarily aimed at discovery of evidence. Failures in conducting lawful and reasonable searches have direct impact on admissibility of evidence during trial. Moreover, searches significantly interfere with rights and freedoms of individuals guaranteed on the constitutional level, such as right to privacy, personal inviolability and inviolability of home. Due to the obvious conflict between these values, the aim of the project is to shape legal provisions concerning search in Poland and abroad in a way that will reconcile effectiveness of investigation and adequate protection against unreasonable searches and unlawful interference with individual’s rights and freedoms.
The project uses the comparative method to provide an answer to question how the law on searches is currently regulated in various Continental and common law countries. Additionally, the analysis of the practice of conduct of search in Poland is carried on through the case file study and survey among practitioners. The case file survey concerns 1500 cases (thefts, illegal possession of drugs and robbery) covering nine district courts in Poland and three regional courts. The online survey among practitioners involves judges, prosecutors and police officers providing insight into various approaches towards search among those who apply the law on a daily basis.
The outcomes of the project should lead to development of optimum model of search that guarantees appropriate proportions between public interest as expressed through effectiveness of investigation and constitutionally protected rights of individual.
Information on project:
- Primary Investigator: Karolina Kremens
- Team: Wojciech Jasiński, Karol Jarząbek, Michał Basa
- Project duration: 2019-2023
- Granting institution: National Science Center (NCN Sonata BIS 8)
- Project number: 2018/30/E/HS5/00338
- Amount: 561.498 PLN
List of most important publications:
- Kremens K., The Authority to Order Search in a Comparative Perspective: A Call for Judicial Oversight, Revista Brasileira de Direito Processual Penal 2020, vol. 6 (3), pp. 1585-1626.
- Jarząbek K., Przeszukanie osoby a badania cielesne oskarżonego i osoby podejrzanej z art. 74 k.p.k., Forum Prawnicze 2021, vol. 5, pp. 83-102.
- Kremens K., Limits of Powers of Public Authorities with Respect to Obtaining Evidence at the Stage of Investigation, in: Rapports Polonais : XXIème Congrès international de droit comparé = XXIst International Congress of Comparative Law, Asunción, 23–28.10.2022 / red. Dagmara Skupień, Biruta Lewaszkiewicz-Petrykowska, Łódź: Uniwersytet Łódzki. Wydawnictwo, 2022, pp. 311-336.
- Kremens K., O znaczeniu prawa porównawczego dla nauki polskiego procesu karnego na przykładzie przeszukań telefonów komórkowych in book: W pogoni za rzetelnym procesem karnym : księga dedykowana Profesorowi Stanisławowi Waltosiowi; ed. Dobrosława Szumiło-Kulczycka; Wolters Kluwer 2022, pp. 550-560.
- Basa M., Jarząbek K., Praktyka prowadzenia przeszukań w wypadkach niecierpiących zwłoki – przesłanki i podstawa dowodowa przeszukania, Przegląd Sądowy 6/2023, pp. 5-67.
