Initiation of criminal proceedings and the rights of the victim: pros and cons

Introduction: the article considers the stage of initiating a criminal case as a debating institution of Russian criminal proceedings, as well as points of view on this institution of well-known procedural experts in this area. Particular attention is paid to ensuring victims’ rights during taking proceedings. Materials and Methods: the general dialectical method of scientific cognition was the methodological basis for the study, methods of logical deduction, induction, comparative methods and techniques of observation, comparison, analysis, generalization and description were also used. Results of the Study: made it possible to study the current state of the stage of initiating a criminal case in terms of ensuring and protecting the rights of victims, to highlight the most significant works of procedural scientists. Findings and Conclusions: the analysis of criminal proceedings stage allowed us to conclude about necessity of amending criminal legislation in order to ensure victims’ rights of this stage.