Criminal defense for Residential Burglary in Bonn

Legal Basis

§ 244 Abs. 4 StGB

Sentencing Range

Imprisonment of no less than one year

Summary

Theft committed by breaking into a permanently occupied private dwelling

Residential Burglary (Section 244(1) No. 3, (4) StGB)

Residential burglary is a qualified form of theft and is classified by the courts as particularly serious, as it violates not only property rights but also domestic peace and the residents’ sense of security. The legislature has significantly tightened penalties in recent years, particularly through the introduction of Section 244(4) StGB for break-ins into permanently occupied private dwellings. This is a common concern for expats living in Germany, both as potential victims and, in rare cases, as accused persons.

Legal Basis

Section 244(1) No. 3 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) provides:

“Anyone who commits theft by breaking into a dwelling, climbing in, entering with a false key or another instrument not intended for proper opening, or hiding within the dwelling for the purpose of committing the offence, shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to ten years.”

Section 244(4) StGB increases the penalty for break-ins into permanently used private dwellings to imprisonment of not less than one year.

Elements of the Offence

Theft: There must be a taking of another’s movable property with intent to appropriate (Section 242 StGB).

Dwelling: The concept of “dwelling” encompasses all premises serving as human accommodation, including hotel rooms, caravans, and residential containers. Commercial premises and offices are not covered.

Breaking in: The forcible opening of an enclosure that prevents entry, e.g., prying open a door or breaking a window.

Climbing in: Entering the dwelling through an opening not intended for regular entry, e.g., through a window or over a balcony.

Entering with a false key: Using a key that is not or no longer intended for opening, including duplicate keys and lock picks.

Hiding within: Concealing oneself in premises before closing time in order to steal later.

Permanently used private dwelling (Section 244(4) StGB): For the aggravated qualification, the dwelling must be permanently used as a private residence. Holiday apartments and only occasionally used second homes do not fall under the aggravation.

Typical Methods of Commission

Common methods include prying open house or apartment doors, breaking or prying open windows, climbing in via balconies or terraces, using duplicate keys or lock-picking tools, overcoming electronic security systems, and organised burglary series by travelling criminal groups.

Sentencing Range

Residential burglary carries imprisonment from six months to ten years. For break-ins into permanently used private dwellings (Section 244(4) StGB), the minimum sentence is one year’s imprisonment. In less serious cases (Section 244(3) StGB), the sentence may be reduced to imprisonment from three months to five years. Attempted offences receive a mitigated sentence; however, even attempted burglary of a permanently occupied dwelling is a serious crime (Verbrechen) under Section 244(4) StGB.

Typical Defense Strategies

The defense first examines whether “breaking in” or “climbing in” in the legal sense actually occurred — if the door was unlocked or the window open, this element is absent. Attribution of the act to the accused is also frequently problematic, particularly where no DNA traces or usable fingerprints could be secured. Under Section 244(4) StGB, it is questioned whether the dwelling was actually “permanently used.” The distinction from simple theft or attempted burglary can significantly affect sentencing. Finally, the circumstances of the act offer possibilities for a less serious case classification, for example where there was a spontaneous decision to commit the offence and the damage was minor.

Summons or accusation of Residential Burglary? 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 Residential Burglary 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 trial. 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, seek a dismissal of the proceedings through discussions with the public prosecutor’s office and represent you, if necessary, at trial before the Bonn Local Court or Bonn Regional Court.

Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36

This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defense strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.