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I have been practicing criminal law for more than 18 years, and since 2011—14 years now—I have been managing my own law firm. During this time, I have provided defense, victim representation, and witness assistance in well over a thousand cases. In handling a defense, my primary focus is always to achieve, whenever possible, the termination of proceedings already at the investigative stage. I can look back on numerous outstanding successes before the courts on behalf of my clients, where criminal cases have frequently concluded with acquittals. Naturally, I also count as success those instances where, in cases involving extremely serious charges carrying severe potential sentences, we avoided imprisonment, or where on appeal—sometimes even at the third instance—substantial sentence reductions were achieved.
Throughout my career I have continuously pursued further education, and in a way almost unique among lawyers, I hold four degrees. Following my legal studies, as a trainee lawyer I completed a bachelor’s degree in International Studies (ÁVF), then obtained a master’s degree at the Faculty of International Trade of the Budapest Business School. Later, I attended the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at Szent István University, where I earned an additional degree in economics even while already practicing law. I completed all these programs with consistently high marks. Meanwhile, starting in 2012, I also engaged in teaching at the Budapest College of Communication and Business, later Metropolitan University, where I taught thousands of students in subjects such as Legal Fundamentals, Media Law, and Business Law, alongside Dr. András P. Horváth.
During my studies (including my economics thesis) and my professional work, I became acquainted with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. I have gained significant experience regarding their economic and legal implications, their investment potential—including legal aspects—redeemability, and tax consequences. For this reason, I am glad to advise clients worldwide on their use, operation, economic significance, and regulatory aspects.
Together with the lawyers working alongside me, we serve clients in English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, and Hungarian.
Anyone facing criminal proceedings may find themselves in an extremely difficult situation. That is why it is of utmost importance that individuals—whether defendants or victims—be fully aware of their rights and obligations.
With nearly 20 years of experience, I emphasize that in such circumstances, one cannot rely on the sympathy of the authorities or leave the outcome to luck. The most important step is to retain a confident, knowledgeable attorney who represents clients effectively—and to do so as early as possible.
I always stress to my clients that even the most minor criminal offense must not be underestimated. Even a simple case of assault or defamation may have very serious criminal and civil consequences, including liability for damages.
My goal—and that of my partners as well—is to focus on criminal defense with the aim of achieving the most favorable result possible.
Criminal proceedings can negatively affect one’s financial security, daily life, freedom, and family relationships. Do not take unnecessary risks—choose the best, most professional defense and legal representation available!
When someone is accused, fear alone may lead them to waive their right to a proper defense and merely disclose the alleged facts, thereby preventing themselves from later achieving termination of the proceedings, acquittal, or a lesser charge—thus avoiding the burden and collateral consequences (such as damages, coercive measures, or asset forfeiture).
Above all, do not admit guilt. First, consult with us!
Wait at least until you and your attorney are informed of the evidentiary materials underlying the charges. Under the Hungarian Code of Criminal Procedure (Act XC of 2017), Section 100 (1), the case file, including evidence made public, may be accessed by the defendant and defense counsel following the suspect’s interrogation, and by the victim—regarding the crime affecting them—upon a specific request.
On this basis, it is clearly unreasonable to surrender in advance in a proceeding where there may not even be sufficient evidence against you, or where it only appears so because of investigative tactics used as a “bluff.” Many times, clients who followed my advice at this stage later concluded their case with an acquittal or a significantly lesser charge and sentence.
My advice is to take the situation seriously and allow the evidentiary materials to be assessed together with you by a team of experienced criminal defense lawyers. Remember: only with full knowledge of the “rules of the game” (the evidence and applicable laws) can we steer the proceedings toward success—even in the most difficult circumstances. While you may find useful information on various criminal offenses on my website, in a real-life situation, when one is facing such difficulties, even with precise legal knowledge, academic qualifications, or prior experience, it cannot realistically be expected that they will calmly evaluate every possibility and make the right decision.
Do not allow yourself the mistake of hesitation—recognize in time the risks threatening your property and livelihood, and contact me without delay. We can help!
We will quickly and precisely develop your defense, establish a procedural strategy based on thorough knowledge, and flawlessly determine the best solutions, setting together the optimal achievable results. Fill out the contact form or call my office to schedule a consultation, and reach out to Attorney Dr. Ádám Axel Péterfi as soon as possible for a clear assessment of your situation and real options!
Due to my professional interests, my primary area of specialization within criminal law is economic crimes and cases involving forms of collective perpetration.
During my university years and later in other fields, I conducted research on collective modes of perpetration, including their most serious form—criminal organizations. Since the ultimate goal of such organizations is the acquisition of political and economic power, I feel that my vocation not only gives me the opportunity but also imposes on me the duty to take a stand against them and to defend their members or former members, assisting them against attacks in which state authorities often provide far from sufficient protection.
In addition, I have successfully acted in several cases involving extradition and other criminal matters with international aspects, as well as compliance proceedings. These I have been able to conduct effectively both thanks to my broader educational background and the experience and knowledge I have acquired over the years.
Whether you are about to face charges or are summoned merely as a witness or victim, you can rely on my assistance at any time of the day. In my view, choosing the right lawyer can preserve your very livelihood, social standing, assets, employment, career, and family relationships.
Types of Criminal Offenses Covered:
Crimes against life and physical integrity
Crimes endangering health
Crimes against personal liberty
Crimes against sexual freedom and public morality
Crimes against children’s interests and against the family
Crimes against human dignity and certain fundamental rights
Traffic-related crimes, crimes against the state
Corruption-related crimes
Crimes against the administration of justice
Official misconduct
Crimes against public officials
Crimes against public security
Property crimes, both violent and non-violent
Drug-related crimes
Crimes against public order
Crimes against public trust
Crimes against the order of public administration
Crimes against intellectual property rights
Crimes against the integrity of currency and stamp circulation
Crimes damaging the state budget
Money laundering
Crimes against the order of economic management
Crimes infringing upon consumer interests and fair competition
Unlawful data acquisition
Military crimes
In criminal cases, I am glad to undertake representation on both sides, which also means that I often accompany proceedings from the prosecutor’s side as well—whether as a support to witnesses or as legal counsel for victims. In my view, the victim in a criminal case also faces an extremely difficult situation, both physically and emotionally. They may find themselves confronted with unexpected questions from the defense or the prosecution, legal filings, unfamiliar procedures and circumstances, or the challenges of asserting civil claims. Without legal assistance, it is extremely difficult to navigate such situations. And let us not forget, our goal here as well—though from a different perspective—is to achieve outstanding results, whether through appropriate compensation or through genuine justice (and not merely the formal provision of law).
I would also note that the new Code of Criminal Procedure provides greater opportunities for attorneys to assume a potential “mediating role.” This allows us, under the right circumstances, to avoid the trial stage entirely and shorten the proceedings—provided that there is an admission of guilt, clear evidence, and a strong willingness on both the victim’s and defendant’s side to resolve the matter in a so-called mediation procedure. In such cases, the offender may “make amends through restitution” by repairing or compensating for the harm caused. In this context, the attorney assumes a role similar to that of a mediator, where effective, mutually acceptable communication between the parties is essential.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the legal industry, particularly in criminal law. With its ability to quickly and accurately analyze massive amounts of data, independently developed AI tools assist our law firm and our clients in making better-informed decisions, identifying potential risks and opportunities, and improving overall efficiency.
AI-based tools can rapidly sort through vast amounts of information—including emails, text messages, and social media posts—to identify patterns and relevant details that may be critical to a case. This not only saves hours of work but also provides far more accurate assessments of situations and evidence.
Another application of artificial intelligence is predictive analysis. By evaluating prior cases and outcomes, AI can help attorneys estimate the likelihood of success in a given matter, enabling them to provide clients with better advice on whether to accept a plea bargain or proceed to trial. This saves both time and money for clients, while improving the overall quality of representation.
Beyond these applications, AI can also assist law firms and clients in criminal cases with advanced legal research capabilities. AI-driven tools can rapidly review massive volumes of legal documents—including statutes, case law, and legal commentaries—to identify relevant information and precedents. This allows us to develop substantially stronger arguments and, as a result, deliver more nuanced, effective, and persuasive courtroom presentations and pleadings—strategically crafted to maximize psychological impact and effectiveness.
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where parties come together to resolve their legal disputes in a collaborative and cooperative manner. As a law firm, we can assist our clients with mediation in the following ways:
As a defense lawyer in a law firm, building a strong defense strategy is crucial in achieving a favorable outcome for your client’s case. Here are the steps involved in developing an effective defense strategy:
RESULT: After a two-year proceeding, in September 2023 the case against my client was terminated for lack of a criminal offense, and due to the successful defense, he was not required to pay anything.
RESULT: Based on the evidence taken on appeal and the written defense submissions, the court acquitted our client of all charges.
RESULT: In its final decision, the Budapest Court of Appeals reclassified the offense as causing life-threatening bodily injury and imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for a five-year probationary period. As a result, the client did not have to serve time in prison.
RESULT: After a lengthy and difficult evidentiary process, the court acquitted our client already at first instance with final effect, since, as we demonstrated at trial, the evidence did not form a closed logical chain.
RESULT: We ultimately succeeded in securing a judgment from the Budapest High Court (Fővárosi Törvényszék) imposing a two-year prison sentence suspended for five years’ probation. This allowed my client to continue his successful life abroad. Not only did he avoid imprisonment, but in an exceptional outcome, no coercive measures were imposed against him at all.
RESULT: On appeal, the Budapest Court of Appeals reduced the severe first-instance sentence by five years. As a result, taking into account the little more than one year he had already spent in pre-trial detention, the defendant completed his sentence.
RESULT: Within a few weeks, we succeeded in having his driver’s license reinstated, as he was a single mother raising her child. Four months later, the proceedings were terminated due to error. This occurred despite the fact that at the initial consultation the client herself did not believe the prosecution would accept the factual basis of our defense strategy.
RESULT: Because of the protracted proceedings, the number of mitigating circumstances, and the client’s remorseful conduct, we succeeded in having the court impose a suspended prison sentence. Thus, despite the existence of other criminal proceedings against him, my client ultimately avoided imprisonment.
RESULT: With effective legal defense and due to the excessive financial expectations of the complainants, all proceedings against her were terminated.
RESULT: Although the first-instance court imposed a custodial prison sentence, the Budapest Regional Court of Appeal modified the judgment and imposed a suspended prison sentence as the sanction.
If you or a loved one is under investigation or facing criminal charges, the Law Office of Dr. Ádám Axel Péterfi is here to protect your rights and provide strong, effective legal defense. With over a decade of experience dedicated exclusively to criminal law, we represent clients in everything from minor offenses to the most serious felony cases.
We offer consultations both in person and online via Google Meets, making it easy and convenient to access experienced legal advice no matter where you are. During your consultation, we will carefully review your case, explain your options, and begin developing a tailored defense strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Don’t leave your future to chance—speak with a criminal defense attorney you can trust. Call us today or schedule an appointment online for reliable legal guidance and proven defense representation.
Consultation Fee:
In-person or online consultation – 50,000 HUF or €125 / 50 minutes.
Throughout the proceedings, I keep my clients regularly informed about every step, explaining the process in clear and simple terms—even for those with little or no legal background. This ensures that clients always understand why a particular step is taken, what to expect, and what strategic goals can realistically be achieved within a reasonable timeframe.
Attorney’s fees are determined by free agreement and are influenced by the length, scope, and complexity of the case, the number of anticipated and actual working hours, and the degree of professional responsibility involved. In criminal cases, the severity of the potential sentence is also a key factor. Generally, the fee structure consists of a base retainer fee plus the cost of attending procedural actions. In such cases, we do not charge a separate consultation fee, since the cost of meetings, preparation, and file review is already included in the base fee, with installment payment options available in justified circumstances.
Consultations are available either in person or online. The fee in both cases is 50,000 HUF or €125 per 50 minutes.
For online consultations, advance bank transfer is required. Confirmation is provided once the consultation fee has been credited to our account (or, in urgent cases, upon receipt of the irrevocable transfer order). The process is simple: the client requests the consultation by phone or email (+36 30 851 8103, dr.peterfia@gmail.com), and after agreeing on the time and technical details, joins the session via GOOGLE MEETS, Signal, or the provided link.
In addition to local currency, payment is also accepted in euros, U.S. dollars, and at the daily exchange rate in Bitcoin or Ethereum.
There are situations where it is not possible to completely prevent a conviction, and in some cases, serving a custodial sentence becomes unavoidable. Even then, we do not abandon our clients—we fight to ensure that the duration of imprisonment is as short as possible, and that the days and weeks served are made as bearable and humane as they can be.
With recent amendments to the prison law, it has become a realistic and achievable goal to secure sentence reductions and reintegration measures through hearings before correctional judges. My objective in these cases is to minimize the time my clients must spend in prison, while also ensuring they are given the opportunity to adapt as quickly as possible to changed circumstances. I assist them in gaining access to the most favorable conditions within the institution, obtaining transfers to more suitable facilities or lower security levels where possible, and ultimately reintegrating into society.
I maintain respectful, ongoing, and traditionally strong professional relationships not only with authorities handling criminal proceedings, but also with correctional institutions, before which I likewise provide legal representation for my clients.
Ezt a honlapot a Budapesti Ügyvédi Kamarában bejegyzett dr. Péterfi Ádám Axel Ügyvédi Iroda tartja fenn az ügyvédekre vonatkozó jogszabályok és belső szabályzatok szerint, melyek az ügyféljogokra vonatkozó tájékoztatással együtt a www.magyarugyvedikamara.hu honlapon találhatóak.
Dr. Péterfi Ádám Axel Ügyvedi Iroda, mely a Vidákovics Ügyvédi Iroda partnere