Rights and support in investigative and criminal proceedings

Investigative and criminal proceedings

This information sheet will provide you with information on what rights those affected by criminal offences have in court and what kind of support they are entitled to.

Finding a lawyer

Persons affected by a criminal offence can exercise many of their rights on their own, without being represented by a lawyer. However, it may often be helpful to seek legal advice in order to better assess the next steps

Witness - Rights and obligations of witnesses

Victims and witnesses of a criminal offence can be summoned to appear in court. This is what they need to know.

Support in criminal proceedings - Securing evidence

Offenders must be proven guilty of a criminal offence in court. For this, evidence is very important.

Victims and witnesses of a criminal offence can be summoned to appear in court. This is what they need to know.

Offenders must be proven guilty of a criminal offence in court. For this, evidence is very important.

Support in criminal proceedings - Right to inspect files and to information

If you have been affected by a crime, you have a right to receive certain information. Here you can find out what information you can get and how to get it.

Support in criminal proceedings - Costs of proceedings

Court proceedings cost money. However, victims, other affected persons and witnesses do not have to pay anything for the proceedings as such. As far as lawyer’s fees are concerned, this could be different.

Rights and support in criminal proceedings - Private accessory prosecution

For the most part, those affected by criminal offences appear in the ensuing criminal proceedings as witnesses. In the case of specific criminal offences, however, affected persons are entitled to more rights if they join the proceedings as private accessory prosecutors.

If you have been affected by a crime, you have a right to receive certain information. Here you can find out what information you can get and how to get it.

Psychological support - Psychosocial support in criminal proceedings

For persons affected by particularly serious criminal offences, criminal proceedings are a huge additional burden. Psychosocial support services provide assistance at the various stages of the criminal proceedings.

Compensation for damages

As the victim of a criminal offence, you might have a claim for damages for pain
and suffering or compensation for damage.

Ansprechpartner Beratungsstellen - Öffentliche Stellen

Not all investigative proceedings lead to an indictment before a court. There are various reasons why the public prosecutor's office may discontinue investigative proceedings before the case goes to trial.

Persons who do not understand or have difficulty understanding German are entitled to assistance in communicating.

It’s all about the search for a common denominator

Victims of criminal offences have the possibility of having their conflict with the offender resolved through out-of-court mediation. Johanna Muhl is head of a service bureau for victim-offender mediation and explains in this interview how that procedure works.

Navigation and service

Rights and support in investigative and criminal proceedings

Finding a lawyer

Information for witnesses

Securing evidence

Finding a lawyer

Information for witnesses

Securing evidence

Know how the case is progressing

Who has to pay for what in court cases?

More rights as a private accessory prosecutor

Know how the case is progressing

Who has to pay for what in court cases?

More rights as a private accessory prosecutor

Psychosocial support in court proceedings

Compensation for damages

Possible courses of action if investigative proceedings are discontinued

Assistance in communicating

It’s all about the search for a common denominator

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Rights and support in investigative and criminal proceedings

Finding a lawyer

Information for witnesses

Securing evidence

Finding a lawyer

Information for witnesses

Securing evidence

Know how the case is progressing

Who has to pay for what in court cases?

More rights as a private accessory prosecutor

Know how the case is progressing

Who has to pay for what in court cases?

More rights as a private accessory prosecutor

Psychosocial support in court proceedings

Compensation for damages

Possible courses of action if investigative proceedings are discontinued

Assistance in communicating

It’s all about the search for a common denominator

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