The third revised edition of the Criminal Lawyer's Handbook

The third revised edition of Rikosasianajajan käsikirja (The Criminal Lawyer's Handbook) written by Markku Fredman was published at the very end of 2025. The book has 1,379 pages, which is about 200 pages more than the previous second edition published in 2021. The book's introductory chapter and certain other sections are part of the bar examination requirements in Finland.

The book provides a practice-oriented description of a lawyer's duties and gives case law-based guidance for problematic situations that arise in criminal defense work. The book explains the legislation concerning lawyers' work, good advocacy practice and its supervision, as well as public legal aid and the licensing system for authorized legal representatives. Also covered are EU directives on criminal proceedings, video recording of evidence, and the use of remote connections in court proceedings.

The lawyer's work is reviewed both as counsel for the victim and as counsel for the suspect or accused. The reader is guided in drafting compensation claims, appeals, and other legal documents. The book also explains forfeiture sanctions, legal protection insurance, restraining orders and the criminal injuries system, as well as extradition due to crime and criminal-based deportation and the case law concerning them. The lawyer's duties regarding coercive measures are described in detail, as well as the counsel's role in the preliminary investigation and questions of access to information and publicity related to criminal proceedings. Evidence and the evaluation of proof are also extensively addressed.

The presentation is based on extensive case law material from domestic sources, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Court of Justice of the European Union. The practice of the Bar Association's Supervisory Board related to handling criminal cases is also thoroughly reviewed.

Doctor Markku Fredman has practiced as a lawyer since 1987. He has been involved in numerous development projects and legislative drafting work in the field. He is a Professor of Practice at the University of Helsinki and has the title of Docent in procedural law.