The EU court has also found Hungary and the Czech Republic guilty of hearings without legal representation.

The European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary and the Czech Republic violated EU law regarding the right to legal assistance during criminal proceedings. Both countries allowed interrogations to proceed without a lawyer present if the lawyer did not arrive within a specified time. The court emphasized that the right to legal assistance must be effectively exercised, requiring the lawyer's presence during interrogations. It also noted that exceptions to this right must be strictly defined and cannot be generalized by national laws. Additionally, Hungary was found to have failed to implement specific requirements regarding waiving the right to legal assistance, which must be voluntary and informed. Non-compliance may lead to further actions by the European Commission, including financial penalties.