- Legal Basis
- § 212 StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment of not less than five years
- Summary
- Intentionally killing another person without being a murderer
Manslaughter under Section 212 of the German Criminal Code – Overview
Manslaughter (Manslaughter) is the intentional killing of another person without the special characteristics of murder under Section 211 StGB. It constitutes one of the most serious crimes in German criminal law. Section 212 StGB covers the intentional killing of a person where none of the special murder characteristics (bloodlust, greed, malice, cruelty, etc.) are present. The minimum sentence is five years’ imprisonment; in especially serious cases, life imprisonment may be imposed.
Statutory Text (Section 212 StGB – Excerpt)
Subsection 1: Whoever kills a person without being a murderer shall be convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to imprisonment of not less than five years.
Subsection 2: In especially serious cases, the sentence is life imprisonment.
Elements of the Offence in Detail
Killing of a Person
The criminal act consists of causing the death of another living person. The killing may be committed through active conduct or through omission (where a guarantor position exists).
Intent
The perpetrator must act intentionally. Conditional intent (dolus eventualis) suffices – the perpetrator must recognise death as a possible consequence of their actions and accept this possibility. The distinction from conscious negligent killing is frequently decisive in practice.
Distinction from Murder
Manslaughter differs from murder (Section 211 StGB) by the absence of special murder characteristics: bloodlust, sexual gratification, greed, base motives, malice, cruelty, use of means dangerous to the public, or intent to facilitate or conceal another offence.
Typical Methods of Commission
Typical scenarios include: killings in the heat of passion following escalated disputes, relationship killings in the context of separation or jealousy, fatal stabbings during confrontations, fatal punches and kicks (frequently in connection with alcohol consumption), killings connected to domestic violence, and fatal outcomes of physical altercations.
Sentencing Range
The minimum sentence is five years’ imprisonment (maximum 15 years). In especially serious cases, life imprisonment applies. Less serious cases of manslaughter (Section 213 StGB) carry imprisonment from one to ten years. A suspended sentence is not available for manslaughter. Even the attempt is subject to significant penalties.
Typical Defence Strategies
Defence against manslaughter charges requires the utmost diligence: self-defence (Section 32 StGB) or excessive self-defence, challenging the intent to kill (distinguishing from aggravated assault resulting in death – Section 227 StGB), establishing a less serious case under Section 213 StGB (provocation by the victim), diminished capacity (Section 21 StGB) due to emotional disturbance or intoxication, withdrawal from attempt (Section 24 StGB), and forensic psychiatric assessment regarding criminal capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was unterscheidet Manslaughter von Mord?
Der Manslaughter (§ 212 StGB) ist die vorsätzliche Tötung ohne Mordmerkmale. Liegt ein Mordmerkmal vor (§ 211 StGB), greift Mord mit lebenslanger Freiheitsstrafe.
Welche Strafe droht?
Freiheitsstrafe nicht unter fünf Jahren, in besonders schweren Fällen lebenslang; bei einem minder schweren Fall (§ 213 StGB) ein bis zehn Jahre.
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
Zentral sind die Abgrenzung zu Mord und zur Assault mit Todesfolge, die Vorsatzfrage, Notwehr und der minder schwere Fall. Eine sofortige Verteidigung ist unverzichtbar.
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 Manslaughter? 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 Manslaughter 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
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