Chapter II
Fundamental Rights, Freedoms and Duties

§ 21.

Everyone who has been deprived of his or her liberty must be informed promptly, in a language and manner which he or she understands, of the reason for the deprivation of liberty and of his or her rights, and be given an opportunity to notify those closest to him or her. A person suspected of a criminal offence must also be promptly given an opportunity to choose a counsel and to confer with him or her. The right of a person suspected of a criminal offence to notify those closest to him or her of the deprivation of liberty may be circumscribed only in the cases and pursuant to a procedure provided by law to prevent a criminal offence or in the interests of ascertaining the truth in a criminal case.
No one may be held in custody for more than forty-eight hours without a specific authorisation of a court. The decision of the court must be promptly communicated to the person in custody in a language and manner which he or she understands.

Chapter 1GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 9. Safeguarding of personal liberty and respect for human dignity
(2) A person taken into custody shall be immediately notified of the court's determination on his or her being taken into custody in a language and manner which he or she understands.

Chapter 1GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 10. Language of criminal proceedings
(1) The language of criminal proceedings is Estonian. With the consent of the body conducting criminal proceedings, of participants in proceedings and of the parties to judicial proceedings, the criminal proceedings may be conducted in another language if the body, participants and parties are proficient in that language.
(2) Suspects, accused, victims, civil defendants and third persons who are not proficient in the Estonian language shall be ensured the assistance of an interpreter or translator. In the case of doubt, proficiency shall be ascertained by the body conducting proceedings. If it is impossible to ascertain proficiency or the individual’s command of Estonian proves to be insufficient, the assistance of an interpreter or translator shall be ensured.
[RT I, 06.01.2016, 5 - entry into force 16.01.2016]
(21) If a suspect or accused is not proficient in the Estonian language, he or she shall be ensured the assistance of an interpreter or translator at his or her request or the request of his or her counsel at the meeting with the counsel which is directly related to the procedural act performed with respect to the suspect or accused, the application or complaint submitted. If the body conducting proceedings finds that the assistance of an interpreter or translator is not necessary, the body shall formalise the refusal by an order.
[RT I, 04.10.2013, 3 - entry into force 27.10.2013]
(3) All documents which are requested to be included in a criminal and court file shall be in the Estonian language or translated into Estonian. Documents in other languages prepared by investigative bodies and Prosecutors' office in terminated criminal proceedings shall be translated into Estonian by the order of the Prosecutor’s Office or at the request of a participant in proceedings.
[RT I, 23.02.2011, 1 - entry into force 01.09.2011]
(4) A text in a language other than Estonian may be entered in the minutes of a court session at the request of a party to judicial proceedings. In such case, a translation of the text into Estonian shall be appended to the minutes.
(5) If a suspect or accused is not proficient in the Estonian language, the text of the report on detention of the suspect, arrest warrant, European arrest warrant, statement of charges and judgment shall be translated into his or her native language or a language in which he or she is proficient, at least to the extent which is significant from the point of view of understanding the content of the suspicion or charges or for ensuring fairness of the proceedings.
[RT I, 06.01.2016, 5 - entry into force 16.01.2016]
(6) If a suspect or accused is not proficient in the Estonian language, he or she or his or her counsel may submit a reasoned application for translating a document which is significant from the point of view of understanding the content of the suspicion or charges in the criminal matter or for ensuring the fairness of the proceedings into his or her native tongue or into another language in which he or she is proficient. If the body conducting the proceedings finds that the application for translating the documents is not justified either in full or in part, such body shall formalise the refusal by an order.
[RT I, 06.01.2016, 5 - entry into force 16.01.2016]
(6.1) If a victim who is a natural person is not proficient in the Estonian language, translating of the text which is essential for understanding the substance of the order on termination of criminal proceedings or the court judgment or for ensuring the fairness of the proceedings into his or her native language or a language in which he or she is proficient may be requested within ten days. A victim who is a natural person may also request translating of other documents which are essential for ensuring his or her procedural rights. If the body conducting proceedings finds that the request for translating other documents is not justified, such body shall formalise the refusal by an order.
[RT I, 06.01.2016, 5 - entry into force 16.01.2016]

Chapter 2PERSONS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

Division 4Suspect and Accused

§ 34. Rights and obligations of suspects
(1) A suspect has the right to:
2.1) the assistance of an interpreter or translator;
[RT I, 04.10.2013, 3 - entry into force 27.10.2013]

Chapter 5PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS, TRANSLATION, INTERPRETATION AND SUMMONING

Division 1Procedural Documents

§ 144. Language of procedural documents
(1) Procedural documents shall be prepared in the Estonian language. If a procedural document is prepared in another language, a translation into Estonian shall be appended thereto.
[RT I, 23.02.2011, 1 - entry into force 01.09.2011]
(2) Translation into the Estonian language of procedural documents prepared in other languages by investigative bodies and the Prosecutor’s Office in terminated criminal proceedings shall be appended at the order of the Prosecutor's Office or at the request of a participant in proceedings.
[RT I, 23.02.2011, 1 - entry into force 01.09.2011]

Chapter 5PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS, TRANSLATION, INTERPRETATION AND SUMMONING

Division 2Translation and Interpretation

§ 161. Translators and interpreters
(1) If a text in a foreign language needs to be translated or interpreted or if a participant in a criminal proceeding is not proficient in Estonian, a translator or interpreter shall be involved in the proceeding. Participation of an interpreter in a procedural act or court session may be arranged by means of any technical solutions which comply with the requirements specified in subsection 69 (2) of this Code.
[ RT I, 06.05.2020, 1 - entry into force 07.05.2020]
(2) An interpreter or translator is a person proficient in language for specific purposes or a person interpreting for a deaf or dumb person. Other subjects of criminal proceedings shall not perform the duties of an interpreter or translator.
(3) An interpreter or translator to whom the oath of interpreters and translators has not been administered shall be warned that he or she may be punished pursuant to criminal procedure for a knowingly false interpretation or translation.
(4) If an interpreter or translator does not participate in a procedural act where the participation of an interpreter or translator is mandatory, the act is null and void.
(5) In order to ensure the correctness of interpretation or translation, an interpreter or translator has the right to pose questions to participants in the proceedings, examine the minutes of procedural acts and make statements concerning the report, and such statements shall be recorded in the minutes.
(6) An interpretation or translation of any aspect of a procedural act rendered by an interpreter or translator shall be precise and complete and the interpreter or translator shall maintain the confidentiality of the information which became known to him or her in the course of the translation. If a non-staff interpreter or translator is not sufficiently proficient in language for specific purposes or in the form of expression of a deaf or mute person, he or she is required to refuse to participate in the criminal proceedings.
[RT I, 04.10.2013, 3 - entry into force 27.10.2013]
(7) A suspect or accused or his or her counsel may file an appeal against the provision of a false translation or interpretation by a translator or interpreter pursuant to the procedure provided for in § 228 of this Code.
[RT I, 04.10.2013, 3 - entry into force 27.10.2013]

Chapter 10PROCEDURE BEFORE COUNTY COURTS
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]

Division 3Application of Court Session

§ 278. Translators and interpreters in court sessions
(1) If an interpreter or translator participates in a court session, the court shall announce his or her name. In the case of a staff interpreter or translator, it shall be explained that he or she has taken the oath of office and is aware of a criminal punishment for a knowingly false interpretation or translation.
(2) The judge shall explain the rights provided for in subsection 161 (5) of this Code to a non-staff interpreter or translator.
(3) Before a non-staff interpreter or translator commences interpretation or translation, he or she shall be warned about a criminal punishment for a knowingly false interpretation or translation.

Chapter 10PROCEDURE BEFORE COUNTY COURTS
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]

Division 6Making of Court Judgment

§ 315. Pronouncement of court judgment and explanation of right of appeal
(2) If the accused is not proficient in the language of criminal proceedings, the court judgment shall be interpreted or translated for him or her after the pronouncement of the judgment.