The goal of the presented research is to analyze topical issues of preventing corruption risks at the pre-trial and trial stages of criminal proceedings. It is shown that one of such risks is the personal interest of individuals who are authorized to initiate criminal cases, carry out the preliminary investigation, and judges who examine and resolve criminal cases, sanction the use of criminal coercion measures. The authors analyze clauses in the criminal procedure legislation of the Russian Federation, the opinions of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation, as well as one of the leading international anti-corruption organizations - the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). The research of contemporary problems in counteracting risks of corruption in criminal proceedings allowed the authors to present and substantiate some proposals on improving criminal procedure legislation aimed at ensuring the impartiality and integrity of individuals who carry out preliminary investigations and trials. The article describes specific features of the institute of challenging the professional participants of criminal proceedings. The authors state, as a general conclusion, that the assessment of corruption risks is one of the most effective corruption prevention mechanisms and ways of enforcing corresponding anti-corruption measures, which can prevent real corruption schemes in a specific sphere. One of the vital conditions predetermining the successful fulfillment of this task is believed to be the due training of a principally new generation of lawyers-statists who, together with profound knowledge and skills, will be also characterized by high moral standards, legal consciousness, understanding of law and responsibility that are so much needed for working in the bodies of preliminary investigation and the court.