Practical guide
How to file a request under Art. 335 c.p.p. with AI
5 min read · Updated May 2026 · Editorial oversight: Avv. Federico Papa
The request under Art. 335 c.p.p. is the fundamental procedural tool through which an individual, or their defense counsel, requests the Public Prosecutor's Office to disclose any entries in the register of crime reports (registro delle notizie di reato). This right, an expression of the right to defense and the principle of transparency in criminal proceedings, allows for the verification of pending preliminary investigations, subject to specific cases of secrecy provided for by the same article for particularly serious crimes or investigative needs. The governing provision, Art. 335 c.p.p., sets forth the Public Prosecutor's obligation to immediately register every crime report received and the corresponding right of the party concerned to obtain disclosure of such entries.
In brief
The request under Art. 335 c.p.p. allows individuals or defense counsel to access entries in the register of crime reports at the Prosecutor's Office. Applicants must provide personal data, tax code, and a valid identity document. If filed by an attorney, a specific defense appointment is mandatory. Submission is handled via PEC, registered mail, or in-person filing. The Public Prosecutor may order non-disclosure under Art. 335, paragraphs 3 and 3-bis, c.p.p. for grave offenses or investigative requirements. The procedure is generally exempt from stamp duty. AI assists drafting.
The steps
- 1.
Identification of the competent judicial office
The request must be addressed to the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court with territorial jurisdiction over the facts of interest. Generally, this jurisdiction coincides with the place where the offense was committed or where the applicant resides in the case of proceedings against unknown perpetrators. It is essential to correctly identify the competent secretariat (usually the Registration Office or URP) to avoid processing delays. If proceedings are suspected in multiple districts, separate requests must be submitted to each relevant Public Prosecutor's Office.
- 2.
Verification of standing and representative powers
The request may be submitted personally by the interested party (the person under investigation or the injured party) or by their defense counsel with a specific appointment. In the case of submission by a lawyer, it is essential to attach the original appointment or a certified copy, including special powers if expressly required by the office. Standing must be clearly stated in the heading of the document to allow registry staff to verify entitlement to information under Art. 335 c.p.p. Without proof of standing, the request is systematically rejected for lack of legal standing or defect of power of attorney.
- 3.
Drafting the substantive content and personal details
The document must contain the applicant's complete personal details: full name, place and date of birth, residence, and mandatory tax code (codice fiscale). The tax code is required under ministerial regulations to ensure a unique query within the computerized register (Re.Ge.). It is necessary to explicitly cite Art. 335 c.p.p. and request communication of all entries relating to proceedings against known suspects (Mod. 21). If the request is submitted by the injured party, this specific status must be highlighted to distinguish search results between suspects and victims.
- 4.
Attachment of identity documents and proof of appointment
To ensure the authenticity of the request's origin, a legible copy of a valid identity document of the applicant must be attached. If the request is submitted by defense counsel, the defense appointment and a copy of the lawyer's professional ID card must be attached alongside the client's identity document. Many Public Prosecutor's Offices require the client's signature on the appointment to be authenticated by the defense counsel. In the case of electronic filing, files must be digitally signed in CAdES or PAdES format according to the technical specifications of the Ministry of Justice.
- 5.
Filing and transmission through official channels
The request may be physically filed at the Public Prosecutor's registry, sent by registered mail with return receipt (raccomandata A/R), or submitted via Certified Email (PEC). Many Public Prosecutor's Offices have established PEC addresses exclusively dedicated to requests under Art. 335 c.p.p. to expedite processing. It is advisable to check the institutional websites of individual judicial offices for specific electronic procedures, such as dedicated PEC addresses or the Portale 335, since this request does not fall among the documents requiring submission via the Criminal Document Filing Portal (PDP). Proper transmission provides proof of receipt and triggers administrative processing.
- 6.
Evaluation of the response and secrecy provisions
Upon receiving the response, counsel evaluates whether the result is negative (no entries) or lists pending proceedings with their corresponding R.G.N.R. numbers and assigned prosecutor. It is crucial to note that a negative result does not exclude ongoing investigations if these are covered by secrecy under Art. 335, paragraphs 3 and 3-bis, c.p.p., for investigative reasons or specific offense types. In such cases, the Prosecutor's Office typically responds with the phrase 'there are no entries disclosable to the applicant', which does not deny the existence of a proceeding but indicates that information cannot currently be disclosed. Defense strategy must take this possibility into account when planning subsequent actions.
Legal basis: art. 335 c.p.p.
The template structure
The standard sections that make up the document. The full template can be opened and completed directly on edit.legal.
Addressed Public Prosecutor's Office
Indication of the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court with territorial jurisdiction to which the request is addressed.
Details of the applicant and counsel
Complete personal details, tax code, and contact information of the applicant and any appointed counsel.
Request and scope
Formulation of the request for disclosure of entries in the register of crime reports under Art. 335 c.p.p.
Place, date, and signature
Indication of place and date of drafting, accompanied by the handwritten or digital signature of the applicant or defense counsel.
Mistakes to avoid
- Failure to attach the defense appointment when the request is submitted solely by defense counsel.
- Omission of the applicant's tax code (codice fiscale), preventing a unique query in the Re.Ge. system.
- Submission of the request to a Public Prosecutor's Office lacking territorial jurisdiction over the alleged facts.
- Use of unofficial transmission channels or methods lacking legal validity (such as regular email or unsigned digital files).
Frequently asked questions
Does a request under Art. 335 c.p.p. require revenue stamps or administrative fees?
The request is generally exempt from stamp duty and fees, as it constitutes the exercise of a right to information in criminal matters. However, some Prosecutor's Offices may require payment of registry fees if a certified hard copy is requested or if processing involves specific administrative procedures.
How long does the Public Prosecutor's Office take to process the request?
Response times vary according to the organization of individual judicial offices, typically ranging from 2 to 15 business days. In cases of documented urgency, counsel may request expedited processing, although the law imposes no strict statutory deadline on the registry.
Does a negative response guarantee that no criminal proceedings are pending?
No, a negative response is not an absolute guarantee. The Public Prosecutor may order the entry to be kept secret under Art. 335, paragraph 3, c.p.p. for a non-renewable period of three months if specific investigative needs arise. Furthermore, a response indicating no entries may simply reflect that proceedings are pending before a different Public Prosecutor's Office.
What edit.legal automates
- —Automatic verification of territorial jurisdiction and updated PEC addresses of Italian Public Prosecutor's Offices.
- —Instant generation of the defense appointment document with integrated authentication clauses for the Art. 335 c.p.p. request.
- —Formal verification of mandatory data (including tax code) to prevent administrative rejections.
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