Acquittal after coercion: Older lady remains stuck with a bad electricity contract!

Acquittal after coercion: Older lady remains stuck with a bad electricity contract!

In a remarkable case that greatly moved the minds of the parties involved, a 34-year-old in Vechta was charged with coercion and forgery. The story revolves around a 77-year-old woman from Visbek who unintentionally found herself in a difficult situation last April. The defendant was part of a group of pushers who brokered electricity contracts and had spoken to the elderly woman at her front door, where he finally urged her to allow him access.

The elderly woman initially didn't want to let the man in, but was eventually persuaded. Surprisingly, the defendant ran her hand over a form that turned out to be a tablet. This approach, which made it seem as if she had agreed to the contract, left her with a feeling of inevitability. The woman was later unable to remember the details of the form, adding to her relatives' concerns.

Legal disputes and moral concerns

When the senior's daughter found out about the incident, she was understandably outraged. The family tried in vain to revoke the contract with “eon”, but was unsuccessful. As a result, the senior had to sign a new contract with EWE, under significantly less favorable conditions. Despite these overwhelming circumstances, the defendant denied the allegations and claimed that the elderly woman had wanted and understood everything.

The public prosecutor ultimately requested an acquittal for the defendant, which was ultimately granted by the court, although there were certain doubts about the elderly woman's statement. When the judge urged the defendant to refrain from similar activities, the elderly woman was relieved that the trial was now over. Still, the court date and the entire situation left her with trouble sleeping.

The legal background

In this context, it is interesting to know that coercion and forgery of documents are among the so-called official offenses that are prosecuted ex officio; A criminal complaint is therefore not necessary. Fachanwalt.de explains that in most cases such offenses can have serious consequences as they affect the personal integrity and trust of citizens.

The classification in the Criminal Code (StGB) distinguishes between crimes and misdemeanors, with forgery of documents being listed as a misdemeanor. But here the devil is in the details, because depending on the circumstances, it can be a more serious offense that carries higher penalties. Law individually provides deeper insights into the different types of offenses and their legal consequences.

In conclusion, this case raises not only legal questions, but also moral ones, as it concerns the well-being of vulnerable people and we should all have a good hand in protecting those around us.