{"id":11760,"date":"2026-01-27T15:19:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T14:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/course-of-criminal-proceedings-from-complaint-to-verdict\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:16:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:16:05","slug":"course-of-criminal-proceedings-from-complaint-to-verdict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/guide\/course-of-criminal-proceedings-from-complaint-to-verdict\/","title":{"rendered":"Course of Criminal Proceedings: From Complaint to Verdict"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"11760\" class=\"elementor elementor-11760 elementor-10829\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd078b0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bd078b0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f171367 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f171367\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Criminal proceedings are often a significant burden for the accused. Uncertainty, state intervention, and complex procedures quickly lead to insecurity. Those who understand the <strong>course of criminal proceedings<\/strong> can assert their rights effectively and avoid wrong decisions.  <\/p><p>In our <a title=\"Law firm in Stuttgart and Konstanz\" href=\"\/\">law firm in Stuttgart and Konstanz<\/a>, we regularly observe that early information and legal support can significantly influence the outcome of criminal proceedings. The following overview explains the individual phases of criminal proceedings in an understandable and practical manner. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f43e6f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f43e6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b5e54f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b5e54f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Ongoing criminal proceedings require clear decisions and legal guidance<\/strong>. Early consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help limit risks and preserve opportunities. <\/p><p>For searches, arrests, or other urgent situations, you can reach our <strong>24h criminal law emergency hotline at <a style=\"color: #4a4a4a;\" title=\"24h Criminal Law Emergency Hotline +49 151 61429000\" href=\"mailto:+4915161429000\"><u>+49 151 61429000<\/u><\/a><\/strong>. Alternatively, our contact form is available for a <a style=\"color: #4a4a4a;\" title=\"Non-binding initial assessment\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/#kontakt\"><u>non-binding initial assessment<\/u><\/a>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3536cde galery__number e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3536cde\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-563a618 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"563a618\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e379e27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e379e27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Let's talk!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59f2725 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59f2725\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Call us anytime at:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ca971a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ca971a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"tel:+497118498770\" title=\"+49 (0) 711 - 8498770\">+49 (0) 711 - 8498770<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-515d97c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"515d97c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Or leave us your name and phone number, and our experts will call you back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea8e741 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea8e741\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf3c006 premium-cf7-button-fwidth-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-premium-contact-form\" data-id=\"cf3c006\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"premium-contact-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"premium-cf7-container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;fields_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;submit_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f11466-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"11466\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11760#wpcf7-f11466-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"11466\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f11466-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"Name\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Telefonnummer\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Callback Number\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"Telefonnummer\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d32496-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap Protection-321-wrap\" style=\"display:none !important; visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777625965\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d32496-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7264a40 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7264a40\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d39f4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d39f4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Course of Criminal Proceedings: The Essentials in Brief<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f73f1ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f73f1ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Criminal proceedings<\/strong> are divided into preliminary investigations, intermediate proceedings, main proceedings, and, if applicable, appeals.<\/li><li>The proceedings can be dismissed already at the <strong>investigation stage<\/strong>, without a court hearing.<\/li><li>The <strong>public prosecutor&#8217;s office<\/strong> and the <strong>police<\/strong> conduct the investigations, with the public prosecutor&#8217;s office leading the proceedings.<\/li><li>The accused&#8217;s <strong>right to remain silent<\/strong> applies at all stages of criminal proceedings and should be consistently observed.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eec5835 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eec5835\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Preliminary Investigation: How do criminal proceedings begin? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64f26e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64f26e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Criminal proceedings begin as soon as the public prosecutor&#8217;s office or the police become aware of a possible <strong>suspicion of a criminal offense<\/strong>. This regularly occurs through a criminal complaint or the authorities&#8217; own investigations. <\/p><p>Even an <strong>initial suspicion<\/strong> is sufficient to initiate preliminary proceedings (<a title=\"\u00a7 152 para. 2 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__152.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 152 para. 2 StPO<\/a>). Guilt of the accused is expressly not required at this point. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38b4bb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"38b4bb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Typical triggers<\/strong> for preliminary proceedings include:<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Criminal complaints from private individuals or companies<\/li><li>Complaints by authorities<\/li><li>Police observations<\/li><li>Control measures or accidental findings<\/li><\/ul><p>Our <strong>experience<\/strong> shows that many accused persons do not immediately notice the start of the preliminary proceedings. Often, the first notification comes through a <strong>summons<\/strong>, a search, the service of a <a title=\"Penalty order\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/penalty-order-these-are-your-rights\/\">penalty order<\/a>, or even <a title=\"Pre-trial detention\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/pre-trial-detention-what-those-affected-need-to-know\/\">pre-trial detention<\/a>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-468f34c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"468f34c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What role do the police and public prosecutor's office play in preliminary proceedings? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8f3e7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f8f3e7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <strong>public prosecutor&#8217;s office<\/strong> is in charge of the preliminary proceedings (<a title=\"\u00a7 160 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__160.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 160 StPO<\/a>). It decides<strong> on the course of the criminal proceedings<\/strong>, the direction, scope, and conclusion of the investigations. The police act as investigating officers for the public prosecutor&#8217;s office.  <\/p><p>Both <strong>authorities<\/strong> may, among other things:<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Interrogate accused persons (<a title=\"\u00a7 163a StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__163a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 163a StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Question witnesses (<a title=\"\u00a7 161a StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__161a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 161a StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Conduct searches and seizures (<a title=\"\u00a7 94 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__94.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 94 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Obtain expert opinions (<a title=\"\u00a7 161a StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__161a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 161a StPO<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><p>In our law firm in Stuttgart and Konstanz, we regularly observe that accused persons confuse responsibilities. <strong>It is important to note<\/strong>: Even police interrogations are carried out on behalf of the public prosecutor&#8217;s office.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4afed20 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4afed20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bca2ff6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bca2ff6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Practical Tip:<\/strong> How should accused persons behave during police measures?<\/p><p>The correct handling of investigative measures is crucial. Mistakes often cannot be corrected later.<br>Basic rules in preliminary proceedings: <\/p><ul style=\"margin: 20px 0 20px 0;\"><li>Do not make statements about the matter<\/li><li>Consistently exercise the right to remain silent (<a style=\"color: #4a4a4a;\" title=\"\u00a7 136 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__136.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>\u00a7 136 StPO<\/u><\/a>)<\/li><li>No voluntary surrender of documents or passwords<\/li><li>Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately<\/li><\/ul><p>An ill-considered conversation can significantly influence the <strong>further course of criminal proceedings<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e890cca e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e890cca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5acbf3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5acbf3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The preliminary proceedings conclude with a decision by the public prosecutor&#8217;s office (so-called final disposition). Several options are possible, depending on the evidence and the accusation. <\/p><p><strong>Typical conclusions of preliminary proceedings are:<\/strong><\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Dismissal due to lack of sufficient suspicion (<a title=\"\u00a7 170 para. 2 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__170.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 170 para. 2 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Dismissal due to minor guilt (<a title=\"\u00a7 153 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__153.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 153 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Dismissal subject to conditions (<a title=\"\u00a7 153a StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__153a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 153a StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Application for a penalty order (<a title=\"\u00a7 407 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__407.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 407 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Filing of charges (<a title=\"\u00a7 170 para. 1 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__170.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 170 para. 1 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Not every preliminary proceeding automatically leads to a main hearing. In practice, many proceedings are concluded beforehand. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-590073c galery__number e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"590073c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-676dd43 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"676dd43\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21e6702 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"21e6702\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Let's talk!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecd9cea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ecd9cea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Call us anytime at:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bddb98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0bddb98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"tel:+497118498770\" title=\"+49 (0) 711 - 8498770\">+49 (0) 711 - 8498770<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-562af9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"562af9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Or leave us your name and phone number, and our experts will call you back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49e67bf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49e67bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-618dae5 premium-cf7-button-fwidth-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-premium-contact-form\" data-id=\"618dae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"premium-contact-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"premium-cf7-container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;fields_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;submit_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f11466-o2\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"11466\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11760#wpcf7-f11466-o2\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"11466\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f11466-o2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"Name\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Telefonnummer\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Callback Number\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"Telefonnummer\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d38d3d-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap Protection-321-wrap\" style=\"display:none !important; visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777625965\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d38d3d-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-473b05c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"473b05c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b503c47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b503c47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Intermediate Proceedings: What happens next in the course of criminal proceedings?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9109662 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9109662\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The intermediate proceedings begin with the <strong>filing of charges<\/strong> by the public prosecutor&#8217;s office. The competent court now examines whether the indictment will be admitted for the main hearing. <\/p><p>The court particularly checks:<\/p><ol style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Whether there is sufficient suspicion (<a title=\"\u00a7 203 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__203.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 203 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Whether there are procedural impediments (<a title=\"\u00a7 206a StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__206a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 206a StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li>Whether evidence is admissible<\/li><\/ol><p>In this phase, the defense can specifically raise <strong>objections<\/strong> against the indictment. Our experience shows that well-founded statements in the intermediate proceedings can prevent the opening of the main hearing. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c38b181 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c38b181\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What options does the defense have in intermediate proceedings?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cc7d90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3cc7d90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even if the intermediate proceedings are often underestimated, they offer important <strong>defense approaches<\/strong>. Thus, the course of criminal proceedings can still be influenced before the main hearing. <\/p><p>Possible steps include:<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Statement on the indictment<\/li><li>Motions for evidence or suggestions for evidence<\/li><li>Objections to the opening of the main proceedings<\/li><\/ul><p>Our experience shows that well-founded objections at this stage can lead to a dismissal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c75db6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c75db6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Main Proceedings: What the accused can expect in the main hearing <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bd5035 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bd5035\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The main proceedings are the phase in which the court decides on guilt or innocence. They begin as soon as the court has admitted the <strong>indictment<\/strong> and usually end with a verdict or a dismissal of the proceedings. <\/p><p>In the <strong>main hearing<\/strong>, the facts are thoroughly examined. Accused persons are not obliged to make statements about the matter. The right to remain silent also continues before the court (<a title=\"\u00a7 136 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__136.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 136 StPO<\/a>).  <\/p><p>The course of the proceedings follows fixed legal rules (<a title=\"\u00a7 243 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__243.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 243 StPO<\/a>):<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li><strong>Calling of the case<\/strong> and identification of the parties<\/li><li><strong>Interrogation of the accused regarding their person<\/strong> (no statements about the offense)<\/li><li><strong>Taking of evidence<\/strong>, particularly through witnesses, experts, and documents<\/li><li><strong>Plea by the public prosecutor&#8217;s office<\/strong> and subsequently by the defense<\/li><li><strong>Last word of the accused<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Pronouncement of judgment<\/strong> or dismissal of proceedings<\/li><\/ul><p>In our law firm in Stuttgart and Konstanz, we observe that a structured <strong>defense strategy<\/strong> in the main hearing can be decisive. The taking of evidence often provides starting points to reveal doubts about the act or its legal assessment. Early preparation for the hearing day is therefore essential.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c2c6c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c2c6c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Local Court or Regional Court \u2013 what is the difference? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c52532 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c52532\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Whether <strong>criminal proceedings<\/strong> are heard before the Local Court (Amtsgericht) or the Regional Court (Landgericht) primarily depends on the expected sentence. The <strong>prognosis<\/strong> of the public prosecutor&#8217;s office at the time of indictment is decisive. <\/p><p>Generally applies (<a title=\"\u00a7\u00a7 24 ff. GVG\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/gvg\/__24.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7\u00a7 24 ff. GVG<\/a>):<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li><strong>Local Court (Amtsgericht)<\/strong>: &#8211; either the single judge is competent for an expected sentence of up to two years imprisonment or a fine (<a title=\"\u00a7 25 GVG\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/gvg\/__25.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 25 GVG<\/a>) or the lay assessors&#8217; court (Sch\u00f6ffengericht) for an expected sentence of up to four years imprisonment or a fine (<a title=\"\u00a7 28 GVG\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/gvg\/__28.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 28 GVG<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>Regional Court (Landgericht)<\/strong>: Competent for more serious accusations, higher expected sentences, <a title=\"Capital crimes\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/capital-crimes-what-offenses-are-included\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">capital crimes<\/a>, or cases of particular importance.<\/li><\/ul><p>Our experience shows that proceedings before the Regional Court are regularly more complex. The scope of evidence, the composition of the court, and the defense strategy differ significantly, making early legal preparation particularly important. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec7a2eb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec7a2eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05414d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05414d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>When does a criminal judgment become legally binding and what does that mean?<\/strong><\/p><p>A judgment does not become legally binding immediately. Legal force only takes effect when no further appeals can be lodged or when they have been exhausted. <\/p><p>Before legal finality, there is the possibility to have the judgment reviewed. This is a central component of criminal proceedings under the rule of law. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6002ec e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e6002ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14b5bc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14b5bc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Legal Remedies: How can I challenge judgments?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-683c0bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"683c0bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Accused persons have legal remedies available against a criminal court judgment. These allow for a <strong>review<\/strong> of the decision before it becomes legally binding. Which option is appropriate depends on the court and the specific error in the judgment.  <\/p><p>Criminal procedural law distinguishes in particular between <strong>appeal<\/strong> and <strong>revision<\/strong>:<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li>Appeal (<a title=\"\u00a7\u00a7 312 ff. StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__312.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7\u00a7 312 ff. StPO<\/a>): This leads to a new <strong>factual hearing<\/strong>. Evidence can be re-taken, witnesses re-examined, and the facts fully re-evaluated. Appeals are primarily admissible against judgments of the Local Court.  <\/li><li>Revision (<a title=\"\u00a7\u00a7 333 ff. StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__333.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7\u00a7 333 ff. StPO<\/a>): Here, the appellate court exclusively examines whether <strong>errors of law<\/strong> exist. No new evidence is taken. <\/li><\/ul><p>Our experience shows that an early review of the grounds for judgment is crucial to choosing the right strategy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb017ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb017ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Course of Criminal Proceedings: When do I need a criminal defense lawyer?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99d4bf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99d4bf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/what-you-need-to-know-about-criminal-defense-lawyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense lawyer<\/a> should be engaged as early as possible \u2013 ideally already during the preliminary investigation. Our experience shows that many crucial decisions are made before an indictment is even filed. Those who engage a <a href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/en\/areas-of-law\/#strafrecht\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal law<\/a> attorney early can actively influence the <strong>course of criminal proceedings<\/strong>.  <\/p><p>A criminal defense lawyer undertakes central tasks:<\/p><ul style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><li><strong>Safeguarding the rights of the accused<\/strong>, especially the right to remain silent<\/li><li><strong>Access to files<\/strong> at the public prosecutor&#8217;s office (<a title=\"\u00a7 147 StPO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/stpo\/__147.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 147 StPO<\/a>)<\/li><li><strong>Review of the evidence<\/strong> and legal classification<\/li><li><strong>Communication<\/strong> with the police and public prosecutor&#8217;s office<\/li><li>Development of an <strong>individual defense strategy<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Our law firm assists you in ensuring that the proceedings can be dismissed or concluded without a <strong>main hearing<\/strong>. At the latest, legal assistance is urgently advisable for summonses, searches, or indictments. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1964596 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1964596\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-135c47f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"135c47f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Criminal proceedings should never be underestimated<\/strong>. Early advice protects against avoidable mistakes and can be decisive for the outcome. <\/p><p>In acute situations such as arrests or searches, the <strong>24h criminal law emergency hotline at <a style=\"color: #4a4a4a;\" title=\"24h Criminal Law Emergency Hotline +49 151 61429000\" href=\"mailto:+4915161429000\"><u>+49 151 61429000<\/u><\/a><\/strong> is available.<\/p><p>Alternatively, a <a style=\"color: #4a4a4a;\" title=\"Non-binding initial assessment\" href=\"https:\/\/stirnweiss-brenner.de\/#kontakt\"><u>non-binding initial assessment<\/u><\/a> offers the opportunity to have one&#8217;s situation legally evaluated early.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4be5da4 galery__number e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4be5da4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df3f298 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"df3f298\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bdb38b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7bdb38b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Let's talk!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff0b9f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff0b9f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Call us anytime at:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7398c41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7398c41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"tel:+497118498770\" title=\"+49 (0) 711 - 8498770\">+49 (0) 711 - 8498770<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cad600 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cad600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Or leave us your name and phone number, and our experts will call you back.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e2987e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0e2987e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11af110 premium-cf7-button-fwidth-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-premium-contact-form\" data-id=\"11af110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"premium-contact-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"premium-cf7-container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;fields_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;submit_glass&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f11466-o3\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"11466\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11760#wpcf7-f11466-o3\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"11466\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f11466-o3\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Full Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"Name\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Telefonnummer\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Callback Number\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"Telefonnummer\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d4093a-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap Protection-321-wrap\" style=\"display:none !important; visibility:hidden !important;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-start\" value=\"1777625965\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"Protection-321-time-check\" value=\"4\"><input id=\"wpcf7-69f46b6d4093a-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"Protection-321\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Callback\" \/>\n<\/p><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-35fcf74 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"35fcf74\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e580382\" data-id=\"e580382\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25235c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25235c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ on the Course of Criminal Proceedings<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c93ced6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"c93ced6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2110\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2110\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><h3 class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How long do criminal proceedings last on average? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2110\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80690c9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80690c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d40fa62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d40fa62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCriminal proceedings can last a few months or several years. The duration depends on complexity, evidence, and procedural strategy. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2111\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2111\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><h3 class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Do I have to appear for a police interrogation? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2111\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdc2070 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cdc2070\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e74c330 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e74c330\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccused persons are generally not obliged to follow a police summons. The right to remain silent applies without restriction. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2112\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2112\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><h3 class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Can criminal proceedings be dismissed without a court hearing? <\/h3><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2112\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fd04ce e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3fd04ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca5d801 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca5d801\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes. Many proceedings are already concluded during the preliminary investigation stage by dismissal from the public prosecutor&#8217;s office or the court, following a statement from the defense. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criminal proceedings are often a significant burden for the accused. Uncertainty, state intervention, and complex procedures quickly lead to insecurity. Those who understand the course of criminal proceedings can assert their rights effectively and avoid wrong decisions. In our law firm in Stuttgart and Konstanz, we regularly observe that early information and legal support can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":11761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[75,73],"class_list":["post-11760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide","tag-criminal-proceedings","tag-guide"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Course of Criminal Proceedings: From Complaint to Verdict<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Course of Criminal Proceedings: From Investigation to Verdict. 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