Request for compensation during trial
In Bulgaria, the victim may request compensation at any time during the pre-trial stage of criminal proceedings. At the beginning of the trial in the court of first instance, the victim may request compensation only up to the time that the court starts on the court investigation. The victim may ask to be compensated for the loss of both:
- damaged or lost property
example A damaged car, or money that the victim has spent for their treatment in hospital.
- moral suffering
example If the victim had been kidnapped and held in captivity, they may request compensation for the moral suffering that they have experienced. In addition, the victim may seek compensation for the moral suffering if physically injury was suffered because of the crime.
Amount of compensation
In determining the amount of compensation, the court will consider:
- the gravity of the offense
- the injuries suffered and their consequences
- the psychological trauma the victim may have suffered and other factors