Principles of German Criminal Procedure by Bohlander, Michael -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Copyright Preface Summary Contents Contents List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction

Scope of the book German materials used Historical development Mode of citation Chapter overview

2 Basic Concepts

Introduction—Germany as an inquisitorial system The applicable law The stages of procedure Juvenile Courts Terminological issues Forms of decisions Stages of legal examination The position of the offender at different stages in the proccedings The major procedural maxims—an overview Constitutional principles Judicial independence The right to a predetermined judge (Gesetzlicher Richter) The right to be heard (Rechtliches Gehör) The right to a fair trial The presumption of innocence (Unschuldsvermutung) The principle of proportionality (Grundsatz der Verhältnismäßigkeit and Übermaßverbot) The judicial duty of care (Gerichtliche Fürsorgepflicht) Ne bis in idem—Strafklageverbrauch Systemic principles Accusatory principle (Anklagegrundsatz) Principle of public prosecution (Offizialprinzip) Principles of mandatory and discretionary prosecution (Legalitätsprinzip and Opportunitätsprinzip) Inquisitorial principle (Ermittlungsgrundsatz) Principle of oral presentation of evidence (Mündlichkeitsprinzip) Presentation of evidence before the deciding judges (Unmittelbarkeitsprinzip) Concentration and speedy trial principles (Konzentrationsprinzip and Beschleunigungsgrundsatz) Free evaluation of evidence (Freie Beweiswürdigung) In dubio pro reo Open justice (Öffentlichkeitsgrundsatz)

3 Actors in the Criminal Justice System

Courts and judges Court structure—general overview Jurisdiction ratione materiae and ratione loci Ratione materiae Ratione loci Conflicts of jurisdiction Staffing of the courts—professional and lay judges Exclusion and recusal of judges The prosecution The defence The police Victims Court support services—Gerichtshilfe, Jugendgerichtshilfe and Bewährungshilfe The Clerk of the Court

4 Pre-trial Investigation 67

Introduction Initiation of the investigations Intrusive measures during investigation Arrest, holding and detention Arrest and holding without warrant Arrest on the basis of a warrant or a provisional mental hospital/addiction treatment order Special provisions in juvenile proceedings Search and seizure Search Seizure Bodily samples and DNA analysis Bodily samples in general DNA analysis Dragnet investigations (Raster-and Schleppnetzfahndung) Electronic surveillance of telecommunications Undercover agents (Verdeckte Ermittler) Interrogation of the suspect General issues Section 136 Section 136a

5 From the Decision to Prosecute to Judgment at First Instance

Introduction The decision to prosecute General rules under § 170 Indictment and admission for trial Discontinuances other than under § 170: §§ 153 ff and §§ 154 ff Sections 153 ff Sections 154 ff Juvenile proceedings—§§ 45 and 47 JGG Section 45 JGG Section 47 JGG The trial Preparation for trial Outline of the trial proceedings Individual issues Role of the judge and the parties Plea agreements—Absprachen im Strafprozess Changes in the legal or factual basis of the charge during trial—§§ 265, 266 The court record The judgment—the Urteil Introduction Form and essential components—an overview Juvenile proceedings A few words on costs Special procedures Overview The Strafbefehl The Sicherungsverfahren The expedited procedure (Beschleunigtes Verfahren) The simplified juvenile procedure (Vereinfachtes Jugendverfahren)

6 Evidence

Introduction Means of evidence—strict form of proof Witnesses—Zeugen General definition and hearsay witnesses The defendant as witness? Distinction from experts Fitness to testify—protective measures for vulnerable witnesses Judges, prosecutors and counsel as witnesses Procedural issues—duty to testify, oath, contempt The specific problem of § 252—a privileged witness who testified previously uses her right to refuse testimony at trial Experts—Sachverständige Definition and terminology—court-appointed experts, privately-retained experts and witnesses because of expert knowledge Role, selection and function of court experts Recusal of experts; right to refuse appointment Documentary evidence General rules Records of previous statements—Vorhalt Inspection General Introducing audio-visual media and technical records into the trial General rules of evidence The fundamental rule in § 244 Types of evidential motions—Beweisantrag, Beweisermittlungsantrag, prozessual bedingter Beweisantrag, Eventualbeweisantrag, Hilfsbeweisantrag Reasons for denying evidential motions—§ 244(3) to (5) Section 244(2) and its relationship to § 257(1) and (2)—the court’s ex officio duty to establish the truth and the parties’ duty to object (Widerspruchslösung) The defendant’s exercise of his right to silence—adverse inference?

7 Sentencing and Enforcement—An Overview

Introduction Sentencing principles under the criminal code—adult proceedings Foundations of the sentencing decision: §§ 46–46b StGB Severity of consequence—Erfolgsunwert Degree of responsibility—Handlungsunwert Effect of the proceedings and punishment on the offender and considerations of fairness The rule against double-counting The role of prevention The rule on special mitigating circumstances in § 49 StGB—shifting the sentencing frame Time spent in custody Multiple offences of adult offenders—calculation of the combined/aggregate term Sentencing principles under the Juvenile Courts Act General rule—education, not punishment The case of juvenile imprisonment Multiple offences by juvenile offenders—unified sentence Young adults The arsenal of penalties and early release—adult and juvenile proceedings Adult proceedings Fines Temporary driving ban Loss of ability to hold public office, to vote and be elected in public elections Suspended sentences of imprisonment Early release Warning combined with deferment of sentence Juvenile proceedings Educational measures Corrective measures Juvenile imprisonment Suspended sentence of juvenile imprisonment Deferment of sentence Early release Young adults The two-track sanctions model (Zweispurigkeit)—measures of rehabilitation and incapacitation Mental hospital and custodial addiction treatment orders Incapacitation order The basic concept The special case of the ex post extension of the Sicherungsverwahrung and the ECHR The decision of the BVerfG of 4 May 2011 General rules on duration, sequence and transfer of measures, etc Supervision order Disqualification from driving Disqualification from exercising a profession Confiscation (Verfall), deprivation (Einziehung) and destruction orders

8 Appeals and Post-conviction Review

Introduction Appeals—general rules Form and interpretation Right to appeal; waiver and withdrawal No appeals before a decision or under a condition; no appeal out of time Grievance Moot appeals Individual modes of appeal Berufung Revision Procedural aspects Grounds for appeal and judgment Judgment Beschwerde Juvenile proceedings Post-conviction review Grounds for review Procedure

Annex 1 Indictment to the Schwurgericht for aggravated murder and other offences Annex 2 Judgment of the Schwurgericht (imposition of life sentence) Annex 3 Judgment of the Bundesgerichtshof (acquittal) Index

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