Excerpts from the verdict of the Neumünster County Court, dated June 14, 1978. Verdict in the name of the people.
In the criminal case against the student Christiane Vera F., for offenses against narcotics laws: The accused is guilty of continuous purchase of narcotics in concurrence with continuous tax evasion. Sentence of youth detention is suspended and the accused is placed on probation.
Grounds: The accused experienced normal development up to her thirteenth year. She possesses above-average intelligence and fully understood that the purchase of heroin represented a punishable offense. Although there is sufficient evidence that the accused was already addicted to drugs by May 20, 1976 (before becoming criminally liable), this fact precludes neither her criminal responsibility nor her criminal liability. The accused was able to recognize the seriousness of her situation, and made an effort to stop using these drugs. She was therefore fully capable of recognizing the illegality of her conduct, and to act on that realization.
The prognosis for her future is, at the moment, positive— even though her sobriety is far from guaranteed. In the near future, the continued progress of the accused must be monitored with care and attention.