General Criminal Law
General Criminal Law
Criminal Defense Lawyer Munich
Attorney for Criminal Law Munich
The general criminal law regulates which acts are punishable in Germany and what penalties are threatened for them. It not only affects more serious crimes such as theft, bodily harm or fraud, but also criminal allegations in everyday life. These include insults, damage to property or coercion, for example in the context of disputes between neighbors. All of these regulations can be found in the Criminal Code (StGB) and stipulate which actions are punishable and what consequences are threatened – from fines to prison sentences.
Anyone who finds themselves in criminal proceedings should definitely hire an experienced criminal defense attorney at an early stage. Often the accusations seem harmless at first, but can have serious consequences – such as entries in the criminal record, high fines or social consequences. A criminal defense attorney protects your rights, examines the evidence and develops a strategy to defend you as best as possible. He can often prevent charges from being brought at all or get the proceedings dismissed. With professional support, your chances of achieving a fair result are much better.
As criminal law encompasses many – sometimes very complex and difficult – sub-areas, it is strongly recommended to consult a qualified specialist in the relevant field! A lawyer specialising in criminal law may be as good as he or she is, but without an experienced litigation lawyer for the court proceedings or an appeals specialist who fights against a judgment that has already been passed, you will often fall far short of your maximum goal.
What many people do not know: In hardly any other area of law can the course for the outcome of the proceedings be set as decisively as in criminal law. A look at the great scope for discretion and the wide-ranging legal consequences is enough: from the discontinuance of proceedings with or without a fine, to the penal order procedure, to a mere warning, the waiver of punishment or prison sentences of a few months to many years (with or without probation).
As one of the leading criminal law firms in Germany, we offer our clients experienced specialists for every criminal matter. We have specialized in particular in criminal defense in court. Because, just like in medicine, the subject matter in criminal law is so extensive that only appropriate experience and specialization guarantee the best possible success.
General criminal law
Beratung|Initial consultation
- The sooner you get advice on criminal law is carried out, the greater the chances of success.
- Well over half of all cases in criminal law can be resolved out of court.
- Often there is simply a need for information or explanation without the need to hire a lawyer.
- Perhaps only a profound second opinion or independent assessment is required.
If criminal investigations are initiated or there are fears that they will be, competent legal advice in criminal law is essential. An initial consultation in criminal law proves to be groundbreaking and helps to make the right decisions and thus also set the course of the proceedings as early as possible. However, many people seeking legal advice would first like an first assessment of the legal options or the best course of action without immediately committing to comprehensive legal representation.
Before hiring a lawyer, it is advisable to select a lawyer who specializes in the relevant criminal law area and to take advantage of an initial consultation. In this context, you can get to know the lawyer personally, ask critical questions and get an idea of his competence and experience.
The initial consultation also offers the opportunity to clarify whether legal representation is actually necessary or whether it is only about individual legal questions or an first assessment of the factual and legal situation. In particular, prospects of success or possible consequences in the best and worst case can be realistically assessed.
The (initial) consultation in criminal law not only serves to clarify legal questions, but also as a basis for deciding whether the chosen lawyer is “the right one” – be it in terms of his competence, experience or interpersonal “chemistry”.
Our law firm offers you a comprehensive initial consultation in order to jointly examine whether legal representation is necessary and what prospects of success exist. The aim is to provide you with a sound basis for further decisions.
Please bring all relevant documents with you to the initial consultation, such as indictment, penalty order, police summons or search warrant. An objective assessment is only possible if the lawyer is fully informed. Of course, all information is subject to the lawyer’s strict duty of confidentiality, even if no attorney-client relationship is established at the end of the consultation!
The lawyer’s competence and experience are crucial in criminal law – similar to that of a doctor. The success of a case depends largely on how well the defense is set up. In criminal law, there are a multitude of scenarios and consequences that require a careful strategy.
The possible consequences of criminal proceedings are often serious: entries in the certificate of good conduct, professional restrictions or problems entering countries such as the USA. In certain professional groups (civil service, security sector, managing directors, tradespeople, etc.), an entry in the certificate of good conduct can lead to massive restrictions, including dismissal or a de facto ban on practicing the profession. Competent legal representation is therefore essential to protect your interests and achieve the best possible result.
Costs
The basic rule is: Legal advice costs money – this is even required by law. Every case is different and requires a careful assessment of the factual and legal situation, which takes time and a thorough examination of the available information. Qualified legal representation has its price – anything else contradicts our self-image of a serious criminal defense.
We are convinced that every criminal matter deserves serious and careful consideration in an initial consultation. Therefore, we take the necessary time for each initial consultation.
For an initial consultation we charge a fee of €226.10 in accordance with the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (RVG), payable upon arrival at the office (card reader available). Of course, you will receive an invoice for this.
The duration or difficulty of the consultation does not affect the initial consultation fee. This means that you, as a potential client, have the security that there are no hidden costs!
The fee of €226.10 applies to both telephone or video-based consultation and a personal meeting on site. However, we recommend a personal consultation in our office if possible, as experience has shown that this gives the best impression.
There are of course no costs for simply requesting a consultation appointment!
In very complex individual cases, a serious initial consultation only makes sense if the lawyer has first familiarized himself with the basics of the specific case – for example, if it is necessary to review extensive documents in order to understand it. In such cases, an individual fee agreement may have to be made for the initial consultation, but always in advance, in writing and with full cost transparency.
There are never any costs for a simple inquiry to the law firm regarding the possible acceptance of a mandate or brief information on the options and costs of criminal representation. However, the law stipulates that attorney fees must be charged for every serious legal assessment by a lawyer. After all, potential clients should be able to rely on the value of sound legal advice. Accordingly, a “non-binding” brief inquiry without compromising the quality of the advice is not possible, which is why we do not provide such information as a matter of principle. However, our law firm will always inform you transparently before any costs are incurred for an initial consultation.
The question of the costs of a subsequent mandate depends largely on the scope and complexity of the case. In criminal law, hourly rates and flat rates are common for certain stages of the proceedings, complex written submissions or main hearing days, since the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act is designed more for simple cases (e.g. proven possession of small quantities of drugs) and not for defense in complex economic and sexual offenses. However, the lawyer’s fee must be explicitly agreed in writing so that the client is always informed of the expected costs. However, a fair agreement that is tailored to the complexity of the case can usually only be reached after serious and thorough training.
Important: Extreme caution is required when making immediate promises or pushing for a lawyer to be appointed without first obtaining sufficient information from the client about the facts of the case – true to the motto: “No matter what the case, I’ll do/win everything.”
Attention should also be paid to cost transparency: Hourly rates and flat rates are common in criminal law. However, these must be explicitly agreed in writing beforehand and kept transparent. A reputable lawyer will find out more from the client in advance in order to be able to roughly estimate the cost of the case.
Therefore, never be afraid to openly address the question of fees with your lawyer. A reputable lawyer will always provide you with transparent information and will not hold you back with vague or blanket promises. Even if a realistic estimate of the expected legal costs is still pending, your lawyer will communicate this openly.
In very complex individual cases, a serious initial consultation only makes sense if the lawyer has first familiarized himself with the basics of the specific case – for example, if reviewing extensive documents is necessary for understanding. In such cases, an individual fee agreement may have to be made for the initial consultation, but always in advance, in writing and with full cost transparency.
There are never any costs for a mere inquiry to the law firm regarding the possible acceptance of a mandate or brief information on the options and costs of criminal representation. However, the law requires the charging of attorney fees for every serious legal assessment by a lawyer. After all, potential clients should be able to rely on the value of sound legal advice. Accordingly, a “non-binding” brief inquiry without compromising the quality of the advice is not possible, which is why we do not provide such information as a matter of principle. However, our law firm will always inform you transparently before any costs are incurred for an initial consultation.
The question of the costs of a subsequent mandate depends largely on the scope and complexity of the case. In criminal law, hourly rates and flat rates are common for certain stages of the proceedings, complex written submissions or main hearing days, as the Lawyers’ Remuneration Act is designed more for simple cases (e.g. proven possession of small quantities of drugs) and not for defense in complex economic and sexual offense cases. However, the lawyer’s fee must be explicitly agreed in writing so that the client is always informed of the expected costs. However, a fair agreement that is tailored to the complexity of the case can usually only be reached after serious and thorough training.
Important: Extreme caution is required when making immediate promises or pushing for a lawyer to be appointed without first obtaining sufficient information from the client about the facts of the case – true to the motto: “No matter what the case, I’ll do/win everything.”
Attention should also be paid to cost transparency: Hourly rates and flat rates are common in criminal law. However, these must be explicitly agreed in writing beforehand and kept transparent. A reputable lawyer will get information from the person seeking advice in advance in order to be able to roughly estimate the amount of work involved.
So never be afraid to openly address the question of fees with your lawyer. A reputable lawyer will always provide you with transparent information and will not fob you off with vague or blanket promises. Even if a realistic assessment of the expected legal costs is still pending, your lawyer will communicate this openly.
Second opinion
When it comes to fundamental decisions, people often want a second expert advice. Since a lot, sometimes even everything, is at stake in criminal law, we offer those seeking legal advice an independent assessment and advice – without having to hire a second lawyer directly or change the current lawyer.
Although changing lawyers in criminal law is generally possible at any time and at any stage of the proceedings, it should be carefully considered. Conversely, a confirming second opinion can often be the decisive factor for further action and thus provide important clarity.
Especially when it comes to questions about defense strategy – whether confession, acquittal, confrontational defense or team defense – as well as when filing appeals, a neutral second opinion is often a useful and valuable support.
There are situations in which an experienced local lawyer knows the case, the client and the court very well, but needs the support of an external specialist for technical questions in a legal specialty or a confrontational trial defense in order to optimally set up the defense.
In such cases We are regularly commissioned by clients and colleagues on site to put together an optimal defense team or to strengthen an existing team in a targeted manner.
Speak to us at any time if necessary. You can of course turn to us in confidence. As part of our legal confidentiality, we are also obliged to maintain absolute confidentiality towards previously commissioned colleagues.
In suitable cases, a selection of lawyers from different firms with specific areas of focus is effective. Special areas such as commercial, medical, sexual and tax criminal law require special subject-specific knowledge, the enforcement of which in criminal proceedings can only be ensured by an experienced litigation lawyer – especially with regard to criminal legal remedies, the chances of success of which must be established in the first trial.
Even in cases in which the court has already appointed a public defender, there may be a desire for an additional lawyer (as a so-called defense attorney of choice).
What many people do not know: In criminal law, it is always possible to be represented by several lawyers. Criminal procedural law even allows up to three freely selectable lawyers per accused/defendant – in addition to any public defender who may already have been appointed.
Given the possible consequences of criminal proceedings, it is extremely important to be 100% confident in the work and abilities of your lawyer. After all, a lot is at stake for the person concerned – often everything. Entries in the certificate of good conduct, high fines or prison sentences as well as drastic professional and private consequences are not uncommon.
Many clients therefore ask themselves what to do if they are no longer sure that their lawyer is representing them well and competently. There can be various reasons for this: for example, the feeling of having been given incorrect advice, unfulfilled expectations, interpersonal differences or the recommendation of a supposedly better or more specialized lawyer. Often, those affected only look for a new lawyer for the appeal or revision after they have lost a court case.
This feeling can be deceptive. Especially in district courts, prosecutors and judges often try to discredit the position of the defense and undermine the client’s trust in their defense attorney – whether to push through a “deal” or to convey to the client the supposed hopelessness of a promising appeal.
In most cases, clients should therefore keep their lawyer, as the lawyer is already familiar with the case and has accompanied the proceedings competently from the beginning. Nevertheless, an additional second opinion can eliminate uncertainties and give a better feeling, namely that you are definitely on the right track. In rare cases, when the relationship of trust has been shattered or objectively sensible measures have actually been neglected, a complete change of lawyer can also make sense. Serious advice can help the client to understand their own situation and gain certainty about which decision is appropriate.
Sometimes further support can also make sense in the form of a new, fresh perspective from an experienced litigation lawyer. This support can be called upon at any time without having to withdraw the mandate from the current lawyer.
Especially in proceedings with high expected punishment or great public interest – for example in sexual offenses, detention cases or economic crimes with high financial losses – the accused is often faced with an overwhelming number of procedural opponents: public prosecutors, joint plaintiffs, lay judges and, not infrequently, biased experts, even the media. In addition, if you are convicted by a regional court, you actually have no second chance to have the evidence thoroughly reviewed again by a higher court. The burden that this places on the client is enormous. Any failure by the defense is particularly serious given the severely limited legal remedies against district court rulings.
True to the motto “four eyes see more than two”, an additional defense attorney can restore the imbalance between the parties involved in the trial. A team enables witness questioning to be carried out with much greater force (keyword: “cross-examination”). Lying witnesses for the prosecution have no time to think up suitable answers if several lawyers take turns questioning them. In addition, the higher recognition of formal and legal errors by the court is further increased, as applications can be submitted in parallel, procedural actions can be objected to, or statements prepared.
Obtaining a second opinion – just like with the initial consultation – is completely non-binding for the client. Depending on the scope of the matter, the lawyer’s fee can be clarified in advance so that there are no hidden costs.
