How to Navigate the Criminal Legal System: A Guide for Impacted People

What happens if you are stopped by the police, receive a letter from the court, or are accused of a criminal offense?

Our multilingual brochure provides accessible information about the German criminal legal system and explains your rights in clear and simple language. The brochure is available in German, English, French, and Arabic – all in one document.

Download the brochure here.

This guide is intended to provide an initial overview and general legal information, but it does not replace individual legal advice. It can be especially helpful for people who have had contact with the police or courts and want to better understand their rights, the possible consequences, and what options and support are available to them.

The guide also includes information about how criminal proceedings and convictions can affect asylum procedures and residence status.

In this brochure you will find information about:

• Contact with the police
• Mail from the court, public prosecutor’s office, police or other authorities
• Defense: Lawyer yes or no?
• Court hearing: What will happen and how can I prepare?
• Ruling: What does the ruling mean?
• Consequences of a conviction
• Important resources

If you have questions or need support, feel free to contact us:

Phone: 0176 41061559Email: info@justice-collective.org

You can find more useful sample letters here.

Disclaimer

Justice Collective accepts no liability for the information provided in this brochure. This publication is intended solely as a collection of general legal information. We do not guarantee that the information is complete, accurate, or up to date. The contents of this brochure do not constitute legal advice, and using this information does not create any legal relationship with Justice Collective or any other organization. We strongly recommend seeking advice from a qualified lawyer regarding your individual situation.