Voluntary judge Wilfried Böhme: A case full of excitement in Greifswald!

Voluntary judge Wilfried Böhme: A case full of excitement in Greifswald!

Greifswald, Deutschland - The voluntary judges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially Schöffen, play an indispensable role in the legal system and are more than just socially committed citizens. This multifaceted task is primarily visible through personalities such as Wilfried Böhme, who has been a volunteer at the administrative court in Greifswald for 17 years. The 77-year-old commutes to Greifswald at least once a quarter and has never regretted his calling as a lay judge. On July 9, 2025, he took part in a negotiation that revolved around a explosive case in which a 16-year-old student sued the police. The background is that the student had posted xenophobic slogans in an internet video and was then removed from class. Your mother sees the police operation as disproportionate and calls for a determination of the illegality of the measure.

like Wilfried Böhme, many volunteers only find out on the trial day, which is exactly what the negotiation is about. "That keeps things exciting," he describes the challenge and the attraction of his work. Böhme was a lay judge almost 20 years ago and has recognized the importance of volunteering in the judiciary since then. In this context, the presiding judge Harald Hünecke emphasizes the importance of the lay judges, which, through their experiences from everyday life, make the judiciary more lively and citizen seam

volunteer judges: a network of experiences and knowledge

Although there are over 1,400 lay judges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the search for new volunteer judges is still an important point. The Administrative Court and the Higher Administrative Court in Greifswald have been accepted by February 21, 2025, especially on the hunt for suitable candidates for the election period from 2025 to 2030. In order to be a voluntary judge, German citizenship is needed, should be at least 30 years old and have a place of residence in the court district. These citizens bring their living experience and "normal common sense" into the negotiations, which makes the case law more tangible and closer to the lives of people.

The composition of the chambers of the administrative courts is also remarkable: these consist of three professional judges and two volunteer judges, which gives the lay judge a say in important decisions. Even if you have no inspection of the files before the main hearing, you have the right to ask questions and decide on requests for evidence. In this way, they actively contribute to finding the judgment and contribute to strengthening the trust of the citizens in the judiciary.

civil commitment and social responsibility

The importance of the volunteer is also emphasized by the mayor of Greifswald, Eva-Maria Kröger. It describes the commitment of the volunteer judges as indispensable for the social structure and the rule of law. In addition to their rights, the lay judges also have duties, are free of instructions and neutral. The remuneration for your work is 29 euros per hour, with increases with more frequent use.

voluntary judges are a pillar of the judiciary, which, through their participation, contributes to bringing a bit more justice into the world and making it viable. Last but not least, the example of Wilfried Böhme and others, who contribute and commitment to the stability and fairness of the legal system, shows how complex and important these tasks are.

You can find out more about the requirements and services of volunteer judges on NDR , Zeit and iSteshaltbar.de .