Denial of Fair Public Trial Defendants have a right to be present at their own trials and are guaranteed the right to competent legal counsel of their own choosing. In cases in which defendants are unable to pay attorney's fees, the State assumes the cost. Defendants have the right to access to an attorney sufficiently in advance of the trial to prepare a defense. Defendants may confront witnesses and otherwise participate in public trials, which are fair and free from intimidation. Defendants and their attorneys have access to government-held evidence relevant to their cases and enjoy a presumption of innocence.
All defendants have the right to appeal.
No groups are barred from testifying, and within reason all testimony is given the same weight. The courts are free of political control. Although the Ministry of Justice administers the lower court system, the Supreme Court guards its independence and fairness. Juries are not used, but multijudge panels are common, especially in the appeals process. A major reform of the Icelandic judicial system, separating judicial and executive power in regional jurisdictions, was fully implemented in July 1992.