Review

According to the results of analyze the scientific literature material of law enforcement practice, in the article are disclosed the problem question about definition of the concept, meaning and defense tactics in criminal proceedings of Ukraine.

It is noticed that defense strategy in criminal proceedings was subject to criminologists` and processualists` researches. Their approaches to definition of this term undoubtedly have methodological significance for study of issues with respect to defense strategy, but cause equivocal understanding of this term, discrepancies in interpretation and application in practice.

Today in forensic science are spreading scientific works which dedicated to show different aspects using the defense in forensic science knowledge with tactics during protection in criminal procedural.

The author of the article set a goal to define the term of defense strategy in criminal proceedings and disclose its essence, based on systematic analysis of scientific sources, law of Ukraine and law enforcement practices.

Considering that the strategy (tactics) is generally-theoretically defined as part of science that study instruments of intermediate tasks performance for the purpose of completing strategical tasks in certain field of human activity, characterized by mismatch of parties’ interests; the main purpose of attorney`s strategy, in the author`s opinion, is an optimization of professional activity of attorneys by elaboration and improvement of tactical instruments of their activity in judicial proceedings.

The article provides an analysis of essence of attorney`s strategy, that is defined based on the principles of attorneys` professional activity, non-observance of which results in removal of an attorney from being a defense counsel in criminal proceeding.

The system of attorney`s strategy consists of tactical instruments, which are applied on ad hoc basis and conditioned by the type of an attorney`s professional activity, as well as the type of judicial proceedings, where it is performed.

It is concluded that the term “defense strategy” and “attorney`s strategy” are not tantamount. It is mentioned that defense strategy is a part of forensic strategy and is limited to criminal justice, while attorney`s strategy provide for all other types of professional activity of a defense lawyer in the field of legal proceedings, apart from protection in criminal proceedings.

Considering peculiarities of targets and tasks of attorney`s activity in criminal proceedings, the author highlights a necessity to create a separate subdivision of forensic strategy – a tactics of professional protection (or defense tactics) that is one of main preconditions for a proper development of this direction on scientific grounds.

Keywords: defense strategy, attorney`s strategy, criminal proceedings, principles of attorney`s professional activity.