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What does Strafbefehl mean?

Strafbefehl (penalty order) is a penalty from a court without a hearing. It is used for minor crimes, often with a fine.

der Strafbefehl · die Strafbefehle (plural)

You can lodge an Einspruch against the Strafbefehl. Then there is usually a hearing in court. The deadline for the Einspruch is very short and is stated in the Strafbefehl.

If you do not lodge an Einspruch, the Strafbefehl counts like an Urteil. You are then considered convicted.

The fine is calculated in daily rates. The amount of one daily rate depends on your income.

Example sentence

Das Amtsgericht hat gegen Sie einen Strafbefehl mit einer Geldstrafe erlassen.

The Amtsgericht has issued a Strafbefehl against you with a fine.

What you can do

The deadline is short. If you do not understand the Strafbefehl, go to a Rechtsanwalt immediately.

  • Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).
  • Amtsgericht The Amtsgericht (local court) is a court close to where you live. It handles, for example, smaller disputes about money, rental matters and family matters.
  • Rechtsanwalt A Rechtsanwalt (lawyer) advises you on legal questions and can represent you before offices and courts.
  • Zustellung Zustellung means: an office or court delivers a letter to you in a way it can prove later.
  • Urteil An Urteil (judgment) is a court's decision at the end of proceedings, usually after a hearing.
  • Führungszeugnis Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) shows whether you have been convicted of a crime. Employers and offices sometimes ask for it.