Received a police summons in Bonn? Stay calm: as a suspect (Beschuldigter) you are not required to appear before the police, and you should not make any statement before your defense lawyer has reviewed the investigation file. Criminal defense attorney Philip Bafteh advises clients in Bonn, Cologne and throughout Germany – in English.
What a police summons means in Germany
A police summons means that the police are conducting a criminal investigation and want to question you – either as a witness or as a suspect. The letter usually states the alleged offence and a suggested interview date. Receiving a summons does not mean you will be charged, and it certainly does not mean you are guilty. It does mean, however, that a file already exists and that anything you say will become part of it.
Do I have to attend a police interview?
No. If the police summon you as a suspect, you are not legally required to appear or to answer questions. You may cancel the appointment without giving reasons – ideally through a defense lawyer. Different rules apply if the summons comes from the public prosecutor’s office (Staatsanwaltschaft) or from a court: in those cases there is generally a duty to appear, but even then you keep your right to remain silent as a suspect.
Your right to remain silent
Under German criminal procedure, every suspect has the right to remain silent (Section 136 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, StPO). Your silence must not be held against you. The only information you must provide is basic personal data such as your name, address and date of birth. Experience shows that early, unprepared statements are the most common way suspects damage their own case – often irreversibly.
File access before any statement
A defense lawyer can request access to the investigation file (Akteneinsicht). Only the file shows what evidence the authorities actually have. Once we have reviewed it, we decide together whether a written statement, a negotiated resolution or continued silence is the best strategy. Until then: no statement.
Typical allegations behind a police summons
In our practice in Bonn and the Rhein-Sieg district, police summonses most frequently concern allegations of fraud, theft and shoplifting, assault, drug offences, hit and run and other traffic offences, as well as insult and threats in social media contexts. Whatever the allegation: the procedure described above applies.
Criminal defense in Bonn, Cologne and nationwide
Our office is located at Prinz-Albert-Straße 63, 53113 Bonn, within walking distance of the Bonn courts. We represent clients before the Bonn Local Court (Amtsgericht Bonn), the Bonn Regional Court (Landgericht Bonn), the courts in Siegburg, Königswinter and Euskirchen as well as in Cologne and throughout Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to attend a police summons in Germany? No. As a suspect you are not required to appear before the police. Appointments can be cancelled through your defense lawyer. A summons by the public prosecutor or a court, however, generally must be obeyed.
Should I just explain my side to the police? No – not before your lawyer has seen the file. Even truthful, well-meant statements can be misunderstood or taken out of context and are very difficult to correct later.
What should I do right now? Do not contact the police yourself, keep the summons letter, and call a criminal defense attorney. We take over all communication with the authorities for you.
What does the initial consultation cost? We discuss costs transparently before any engagement. In urgent cases we are available around the clock at 0228 504 463 36.
Each case depends on its individual circumstances. This page provides general information and does not replace legal advice in your specific matter.
Do not make a statement before file access. Contact us first – available 24/7 at 0228 504 463 36.