- Legal Basis
- § 240 StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment of up to three years or a fine
- Summary
- Compelling another person by force or threat of serious harm to act, tolerate, or refrain from acting
Coercion (Section 240 German Criminal Code) – Criminal Defence Against Coercion Charges
Coercion is one of the core offences against personal freedom under German law and arises extremely frequently in practice – from road traffic conflicts and neighbourhood disputes to workplace confrontations. As a catch-all provision, Section 240 StGB covers a wide range of situations not falling under more specific offences. For expats in Germany, understanding this provision is particularly important as cultural differences in what constitutes acceptable behaviour can lead to misunderstandings.
Statutory Text – Section 240 StGB
Paragraph 1: Whoever unlawfully coerces another person by force or by threat of serious harm to act, tolerate, or refrain from acting, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine.
Paragraph 2: The act is unlawful if the use of force or threat of harm is to be regarded as reprehensible in relation to the purpose pursued.
Paragraph 3: Attempt is punishable.
Paragraph 4: In especially serious cases, the penalty shall be imprisonment from six months to five years.
Elements of the Offence in Detail
Means of coercion – force: The concept of force under Section 240 StGB is broadly defined. It encompasses any physically mediated compulsion that, in the offender’s estimation, is capable of overcoming the victim’s will. Even minimal physical effort suffices if directed immediately at the victim’s person. Classic examples include blocking someone’s path, physically restraining a person, or blocking a vehicle.
Means of coercion – threat of serious harm: The threat must hold out the prospect of harm capable of inducing a level-headed person in the victim’s position to comply. The harm may consist of physical violence, economic damage, or other forms of detriment. Formal reminders or announcements of enforcing legitimate claims generally do not constitute threats.
Coercive result: The victim must actually be coerced into acting, tolerating, or refraining from acting. There must be a causal link between the coercive means employed and the victim’s conduct.
Reprehensibility clause: Coercion is only unlawful if the means-ends relationship is to be regarded as reprehensible (para. 2). This represents an additional corrective that excludes socially customary behaviour from the scope of the offence.
Typical Methods of Commission
Coercion occurs in a wide variety of contexts in practice. In road traffic, aggressive tailgating, brake-checking, and blocking are common examples. In the private sphere, coercion frequently arises in the context of relationship conflicts, neighbourhood disputes, or tenancy matters. In the workplace, threats of dismissal or disclosure of sensitive information may fulfil the elements of the offence. So-called blockade actions during demonstrations are also regularly prosecuted as coercion.
Sentencing Range
Simple coercion is punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine. In especially serious cases (para. 4), the range is six months to five years of imprisonment. Especially serious cases include coercing a pregnant woman to terminate her pregnancy or exploiting a position of power. Attempt is punishable. In traffic-related coercion cases, a driving ban is frequently imposed as an ancillary penalty.
Typical Defence Strategies
Defence against coercion charges regularly begins by examining the reprehensibility clause: considering all circumstances, was the conduct truly reprehensible, or was it a socially customary reaction? It is also examined whether the threshold of force was actually crossed or whether the behaviour, while annoying, was not criminal. In cases involving alleged threats, the distinction between a genuine threat and a mere warning or announcement is critical. In road traffic cases, dashcam footage and witness testimony provide important material for reconstructing what actually occurred. Rechtsanwalt Bafteh examines each case for individual defence opportunities and develops a strategy aimed at achieving the best possible protection of the client’s rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was ist eine Coercion?
Nach § 240 StGB nötigt, wer einen anderen mit Gewalt oder durch Drohung mit einem empfindlichen Übel zu einer Handlung, Duldung oder Unterlassung zwingt. Zusätzlich muss die Tat verwerflich sein (§ 240 Abs. 2 StGB).
Ist eine Sitzblockade eine Coercion?
Die Rechtsprechung beurteilt dies differenziert (sogenannte Zweite-Reihe-Rechtsprechung). Entscheidend ist die Verwerflichkeit, die häufig umstritten ist und Verteidigungsansätze bietet.
Welche Strafe droht?
Geldstrafe oder Freiheitsstrafe bis zu drei Jahren, in besonders schweren Fällen mehr. In vielen Fällen ist eine Einstellung nach §§ 153, 153a StPO erreichbar.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Coercion? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Coercion requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
Free Initial Assessment
Have you received a summons or are you under investigation? Call us – the initial assessment by phone is free for up to 10 minutes.
+49 228 504 463 36