Blog

Articles on criminal law, defense strategies and recent case law in Germany.

19 August 2026

Pre-Trial Detention (Pre-Trial Detention) – When Is It Ordered and What Can You Do?

Pre-Trial Detention (Pre-Trial Detention) – The Most Severe Measure Before a Verdict Pre-trial detention (Pre-Trial Detention, commonly abbreviated as “U-Haft”) is the most severe coercive measure available…

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17 August 2026

Telecommunications Surveillance (TKÜ) – What It Is and When It May Be Used

Telecommunications Surveillance (TKÜ) – What It Is and When It May Be Used Telecommunications surveillance (Telekommunikationsüberwachung, or “TKÜ”) is one of the most intrusive investigative…

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14 August 2026

House Search (Search Warrant) – When Is It Permitted and What Are Your Rights?

House Search (Search Warrant) – When Is It Permitted and What Are Your Rights? A house search (Search Warrant) is one of the most common and most…

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12 August 2026

Seizure and Confiscation (Beschlagnahme) – May the Police Do That?

Seizure and Confiscation (Beschlagnahme und Sicherstellung) – May the Police Do That? During criminal investigations in Germany, the police frequently seize items such as mobile…

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10 August 2026

Yellow Letter from Court – Penalty Order Received, Now What?

Yellow Letter from Court – You Have Received a Penalty Order, Now What? A yellow letter (gelber Brief) from a German court usually means one…

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7 August 2026

Aggravated Fraud (§ 263(3) and (5) StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense

Aggravated Fraud (§ 263(3) and (5) StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense While simple fraud (§ 263(1) StGB) is a misdemeanour (Vergehen) carrying a maximum…

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5 August 2026

Hostage-Taking (§ 239b StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense

Hostage-Taking (§ 239b StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense Hostage-taking (Geiselnahme) is one of the most serious offences under German criminal law, carrying a minimum…

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3 August 2026

Kidnapping for Extortion (§ 239a StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense

Kidnapping for Extortion (§ 239a StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense Kidnapping for extortion (erpresserischer Menschenraub) is one of the most severely punished offences under…

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31 July 2026

Human Trafficking (§ 232 StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense

Human Trafficking (§ 232 StGB) – Elements, Penalties and Defense Human trafficking (Menschenhandel) is one of the most complex areas of German criminal law, both…

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29 July 2026

Gang Theft (§ 244a StGB) – Elements, Gang Membership and Defense

Gang Theft (§ 244a StGB) – Elements, Gang Membership and Defense Gang theft (Bandendiebstahl) is a serious offence under German criminal law, carrying a minimum…

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