The official language for criminal proceedings in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian language. However, you may request an interpreter if you don’t speak or understand Bulgarian.
Court hearing
The official language for criminal proceedings in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian language. All of the court documents, including the protocols of hearings and the judgement will be prepared in Bulgaria.
If you do not speak or understand Bulgarian, you have the right to request an interpreter free of charge. When making submissions during a court hearing, you have the right to use the language you speak. The court must provide you with an interpreter even if your lawyer speaks Bulgarian.
The court is not obliged to provide an interpreter if you do speak or understand Bulgarian, but prefer to use another language in the court.
Special assistance
If you suffer from impairments to your hearing, vision or ability to speak, the court must ensure that you receive an interpreter. The court must ensure that the interpreter translates the proceedings not only in a language you speak, but also in a manner that is appropriate for you.
Procedure outside the courtroom
You may request an interpreter during the meetings with your defence lawyer in several situations. Such situations include:
- Meetings to prepare for questioning at the pre-trial stage
- The preparation for court hearings
- The preparation of written complaints (appeals) about decisions to the official in charge of your criminal procedure
- The preparation of written submissions for the review of restrictive measures, such as detention, the duty to report to police etc.
- The preparation of documents for written proceedings
- The preparation of appellate or cassation complaints
Certain important procedural documents must be translated for you in a language you speak and understand. Examples include: the detention order, the prosecution’s charge and the final judgements at all stages of the criminal proceedings.
You have a right to submit complaints and submissions, including your appellate or cassation complaint, in your own language.