Honorary judge Wilfried Böhme: A case full of tension in Greifswald!

Honorary judge Wilfried Böhme: A case full of tension in Greifswald!

The volunteer judges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially lay judges, play an indispensable role in the legal system and are more than just socially committed citizens. This multifaceted task is particularly visible through personalities such as Wilfried Böhme, who has worked as an honorary judge 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 appointment as a lay judge. On July 9, 2025, he took part in a hearing that revolved around an explosive case in which a 16-year-old student is suing the police. The background is that the student posted xenophobic slogans in an Internet video and was then removed from class. Her mother sees the police operation as disproportionate and is demanding that the measure be declared illegal.

Like Wilfried Böhme, many volunteer judges only find out on the day of the trial what exactly the trial is about. “That keeps things exciting,” is how he describes the challenge and appeal of his job. Böhme was a lay judge almost 20 years ago and has since recognized the importance of volunteer work in the judiciary. In this context, the presiding judge Harald Hünecke emphasizes the importance of lay judges, who use their everyday experiences to make the justice system more lively and closer to the citizens.

Volunteer judges: A web of experiences and knowledge

Although there are over 1,400 lay judges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the search for new volunteer judges remains an important point. The Administrative Court and the Higher Administrative Court in Greifswald are currently on the hunt for suitable candidates for the electoral period from 2025 to 2030. Applications will be accepted until February 21, 2025. In order to work as a volunteer judge, you need German citizenship, you should be at least 30 years old and have a place of residence in the judicial district. These citizens bring their life experience and “common sense” to the negotiations, which makes justice more tangible and closer to people's lives.

The composition of the chambers of the administrative courts is also remarkable: These consist of three professional judges and two honorary judges, which gives the lay judges a say in important decisions. Even if you do not have access to 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 the decision-making process and help to strengthen citizens' trust in the judiciary.

Civic engagement and social responsibility

The importance of volunteering is also emphasized by the mayor of Greifswald, Eva-Maria Kröger. She describes the commitment of 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 not subject to instructions and are neutral. The remuneration for their work is 29 euros per hour, with increases if they are used more frequently.

Volunteer judges are a pillar of the judiciary who, through their participation, contribute to bringing a little more justice into the world and making the law tangible. How complex and important these tasks are is shown not least by the example of Wilfried Böhme and others who contribute with passion and commitment to the stability and fairness of the legal system.

You can find out more about the requirements and services of volunteer judges at NDR, Time and isteshaltbar.de.