Who Is Tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court
Who Is Tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court?
1. What Is the 2nd High Criminal Court?
The 2nd High Criminal Court (2. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi) is one of the high-level criminal courts in the Turkish judicial system, handling serious criminal offenses.
In cities and large districts where multiple High Criminal Courts exist, they are numbered as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
The 2nd High Criminal Court deals with serious crimes, although it generally handles cases of slightly lesser severity than the 1st High Criminal Court.
2. Who Is Tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court?
The 2nd High Criminal Court hears cases based on the severity of the crime and the potential prison sentence.
✅ Individuals tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court:
- Those involved in qualified fraud
- Individuals connected to organized crimes
- Drug traffickers
- Offenders involved in armed assault and serious injury cases
- Public officials charged with misconduct
❌ Individuals NOT tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court:
- Petty theft offenders
- Individuals charged with minor crimes like insult or threat
- Traffic accident offenders (except fatal accidents)
For example, if a public official is charged with bribery and abuse of office, the case may be heard in the 2nd High Criminal Court.
3. Crimes Prosecuted in the 2nd High Criminal Court
The 2nd High Criminal Court typically handles crimes with sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years in prison.
| Type of Crime | Relevant Turkish Penal Code (TPC) Article | Sentence Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Fraud | TPC 158 | 3 to 10 years in prison |
| Assault with a Firearm | TPC 86 | 2 to 5 years in prison |
| Drug Trafficking | TPC 188 | 10 to 20 years in prison |
| Abuse of Public Office | TPC 257 | 1 to 3 years in prison |
| Forgery of Official Documents | TPC 204 | 2 to 5 years in prison |
| Extortion and Armed Threats | TPC 107 | 5 to 10 years in prison |
For example, a person involved in large-scale document forgery for financial fraud will be tried in the 2nd High Criminal Court.
4. The Importance of the 2nd High Criminal Court
Although the 2nd High Criminal Court does not handle the most severe crimes, it plays a critical role in prosecuting crimes that seriously affect public order.
✅ Economic crimes and organized fraud cases are generally heard in this court.
✅ Crimes involving firearms and drug trafficking are prosecuted here.
✅ Cases of public corruption, forgery, and abuse of power are examined in this court.
Thus, the 2nd High Criminal Court is crucial in handling economic crimes and offenses that harm public institutions
