Suche
Mein Konto
Hammer Flash: Statute of limitations saves rioters in Neubrandenburg court!
A man in Neubrandenburg was convicted of damaging property and attacking law enforcement officers, 6 years after the crimes.
Hammer Flash: Statute of limitations saves rioters in Neubrandenburg court!
In a case that ended unexpectedly for many, a 37-year-old man who vandalized the Neubrandenburg Justice Center with a hammer in June 2019 was sentenced to a fine. But the punishment was rather lenient since most of his crimes had already expired. Loud Northern Courier The damage caused by his actions was estimated at around 3,000 euros.
Why did a trial only take place more than six years later? Various factors played a role here. The defendant could not be found at times, and there were also internal delays in processing the charges, which were due, among other things, to several changes of judges and the corona pandemic. These circumstances ultimately meant that the trespass, which the man had also committed in 2019, was time-barred.
Court hearing and the verdict
During the adjourned hearing, the defendant confessed to several allegations, including damage to property at a hospital and a doctor's office. Nevertheless, the verdict was comparatively mild: the jury sentenced him to a fine of 1,500 euros, which corresponds to 100 daily rates of 15 euros each. The long processing time and his impunity since 2021 were taken into account in the verdict mv-justice holds on.
Another point that came up for discussion was an attack by the defendant on a security guard in the regional court. After he was asked to take a pocket knife from his pocket, he reacted aggressively. This was considered an “attack on law enforcement officers,” although a longer statute of limitations applies. This regulation plays a crucial role in the German legal system, as the statute of limitations prevents unlimited criminal prosecution Lawyer Bongard explained.
The importance of the statute of limitations in the legal system
The statute of limitations in criminal law ensures that prosecution is no longer possible after certain periods, even if the evidence is clear. This also applies to offenses that were dealt with during the trial in the Neubrandenburg Justice Center. Limitations vary and are clearly regulated in the German Criminal Code. For example, the deadline for property damage of up to 750 euros is only three years.
Although seven of the ten charges against the defendant were dropped, the legal processing of the case is not without challenges. While his defense attorney accepted the verdict in court, the prosecution is still considering possible appeals.