Additional Areas of Criminal Law

We are pleased to advise and represent you in the areas of criminal law concerning juvenile criminal law, traffic criminal law, narcotics criminal law, and sexual criminal law.

The area of juvenile criminal law differs in many respects from adult criminal law. These distinctions arise from the Juvenile Courts Act (JGG), which applies only to juveniles (14 to 17 years) and young adults (18 to 20 years).

The decisive factor is the age of the offender at the time of the offense. Children under 14 years are not covered by the JGG. According to § 19 StGB, they act without culpability and therefore cannot be prosecuted criminally, even if they have committed an unlawful offense. If the accused is between 14 and 18 years old, juvenile criminal law always applies. Between the ages of 18 and 21, the accused is considered a young adult; application of juvenile criminal law is possible but not mandatory. From age 21 onward, a person is regarded as an adult in criminal law, so juvenile criminal law can no longer be applied and standard adult criminal law takes effect.

The area of juvenile criminal law is guided by the principle of education—not punishment, but education (with the aim of preventing reoffending) is the primary focus.

Based on this principle, a crucial difference between juvenile criminal law and general criminal law lies in the legal consequences provided. Juveniles and young adults can fulfill the same criminal offenses under the Criminal Code as adults; however, the court has different forms of punishment available beyond the fines or imprisonment provided for in the StGB. The juvenile judge has the option to order educational measures (§ 9 JGG) or to sanction the offense with disciplinary measures (§ 13 JGG) or juvenile detention (§ 17 JGG).

We understand the particular psychological burdens, uncertainties, and anxieties that accompany criminal proceedings for both juveniles and their parents, and therefore support them not only with professional expertise but also with the necessary empathy.

In our view, constructive cooperation with youth welfare offices, legal guardians, the public prosecutor’s office, and juvenile courts is essential to promote a positive outcome of the proceedings in accordance with the educational principle.

Since road traffic represents an area with which nearly every citizen in Germany is constantly confronted, and even minor inattention can lead to significant consequences, traffic criminal law constitutes a large portion of criminal law practice.

The area of traffic criminal law encompasses all offenses committed in connection with road traffic. Potential offenders include not only car drivers, motorcyclists, e-scooter riders, etc., but also cyclists or even pedestrians.

Traffic criminal law includes, among others:

  • Driving under the influence (§ 316 StGB)
  • Dangerous interference with road traffic (§ 315 StGB)
  • Endangering road traffic (§ 316 StGB)
  • Prohibited motor vehicle racing (§ 315d StGB)
  • Unlawful leaving the scene of an accident (§ 142 StGB)
  • Coercion in road traffic (§ 240 StGB)
  • Negligent bodily injury in road traffic (§ 229 StGB)
  • Negligent homicide in road traffic (§ 222 StGB)
  • Driving without a license (§ 21 StVG)

In traffic criminal law, sanctions include not only fines or even imprisonment, but also the imposition of a driving ban or revocation of the driver’s license.

To minimize such sanctions or avoid them entirely, we defend you both in investigative proceedings conducted against you and in court proceedings with the necessary practical experience, professional expertise, and knowledge of current case law.

We are also pleased to assist you if administrative offense proceedings are being conducted against you and you have received a fine notice against which you wish to take action.

Should you face proceedings in the area of narcotics criminal law, legal representation with sound expertise is of particular importance in order to properly assess your individual case and thus achieve the best possible outcome.

The relevant regulations are found in the Narcotics Act (BtMG – Act on the Traffic in Narcotics), where even small quantities can lead to severe criminal sanctions. The Narcotics Act (BtMG) regulates criminal offenses and administrative offenses for violations of the BtMG in the sixth section, starting with § 29 BtMG.

The BtMG not only defines which substances are prohibited (e.g., hashish, marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and LSD), but also explicitly specifies which sanctions are provided for the respective narcotics offenses. The BtMG distinguishes not only between different narcotics (“soft,” “medium,” and “hard” drugs), but also the corresponding quantities.

We advise and defend you both in the early stages of investigative proceedings and in possible subsequent court proceedings with professional expertise, strategic skill, and commitment.

Sexual criminal law encompasses all criminal acts that occur in a sexual context. If you are confronted with such an accusation, a great deal is often at stake. Many of the accused fear for both their personal and professional existence as well as their reputation in public and in their social environment.

The most common accusations in the area of sexual criminal law include:

  • Sexual coercion; rape (§ 177 StGB)
  • Sexual harassment (§ 184i StGB)
  • Sexual abuse (§§ 174 ff. StGB)
  • Acts related to prohibited pornography, particularly child pornography (for example, possession or distribution of pornographic materials), §§ 184 ff. StGB.
  • Procuring (§ 181a StGB)

Through our practical experience, exceptional negotiation skills, and outstanding professional expertise, we help you bring the proceedings to the best possible conclusion. In the area of sexual criminal law, we can look back on numerous acquittals and dismissals during investigative proceedings, and we will stand by you in the difficult situation you must face.