Having analyzed some of the definitions of interest existing in the science of criminal procedural law, the author, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the definitions of interest proposed earlier by procedural scientists, formulates his own concept of criminal procedural interest. The author examines the issue of the relationship between private and public interests in the pre-trial stages of Russian criminal proceedings, determining their internal content. The author considers the issue of the appointment of criminal proceedings in the context of the balance of private and public interests in Russian pre-trial proceedings in criminal cases. In support of his arguments, the author refers to the positions of scientists on this issue, specific examples from law enforcement practice (judicial, prosecutorial and investigative). Based on the results of the study, the author concludes that in the current criminal procedure legislation, due to the increased attention to the interests of the individual, the public interest has not been adequately reflected, which will require not only scientific rethinking, but also legislative adjustment.