Applied criminology research

Applied criminology research

Prevention of Victimization of Lawyers in the Iranian Legal System

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Soleyman Jafari 1
Ali Akbar Gorji 2
Jafar Kousha 3
1 PhD Candidate in Public Law, Emirates Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Email: jafarysoleyman@gmail.com
2 Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. (Author). Email: gorji110@yahoo.fr
3 Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Email: j-kousha@sbu.ac.ir
10.22034/aqcr.2025.2047766.1042
Abstract
Field and Aims: Lawyers, as key actors in the realization of justice and the defense of citizens’ rights, are exposed to various occupational threats and forms of victimization. Such victimization may include threats, defamation, obstruction of duty, and even physical violence. The purpose of this article is to analyze the underlying causes of lawyers’ victimization in Iran and to propose preventive measures within the framework of the existing legal system.
Method: This article has been prepared using a descriptive – analytical approac. 
Findings and Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the phenomenon of lawyers’ victimization in Iran particularly in criminal, family, and economic cases has become a serious problem that both undermines the professional independence of lawyers and threatens citizens’ right to fair trial. The main contributing factors include the weakness of legal protective mechanisms, the absence of specialized institutions to address crimes against lawyers, the lack of public awareness about the role of the legal profession, and the absence of risk management training for lawyers. On the other hand, this study shows that despite the capacities embedded in Iran’s Constitution and ordinary laws, the legal system lacks effective operational mechanisms for both prevention and response. Consequently, addressing this challenge requires a systematic approach, including the enactment of comprehensive legislation for the protection of lawyers with a specific focus on criminalizing assaults against them, the establishment of supervisory and support bodies within bar associations to promptly address threats, and public awareness campaigns to highlight the role of lawyers as a cornerstone of justice. Furthermore, the use of technology to reduce high-risk physical interactions and the provision of security skills training for lawyers are among other necessary measures. Without these actions, not only will lawyers’ job security remain unprotected, but the realization of fair trial for all citizens will also be jeopardized.
Keywords
Victimization prevention
lawyers
Iranian legal system
occupational security
criminal protection
judicial policymaking
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Applied criminology research
Volume 3, Issue 8
Summer 2025
Pages 89-105

  • Receive Date 09 December 2024
  • Revise Date 03 September 2025
  • Accept Date 12 September 2025
  • First Publish Date 12 September 2025
  • Publish Date 22 June 2025