Sources and method – Suspects & Defendants

All information comes from legal texts and association websites. Uncertain points are named openly below.

List of sources

Bundesministerium der Justiz (Federal Ministry of Justice), Gesetze im Internet: StPO §§ 44, 45, 102, 105, 106, 112, 115, 117, 121, 128, 136, 136a, 137, 140, 141, 142, 147, 153, 153a, 163a, 311, 314, 341, 345, 407, 410, 411, 464, 465, 467. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
Bundesministerium der Justiz, Gesetze im Internet: OWiG § 67; JGG §§ 1, 68, 105; StGB § 19; BerHG § 2 (gesetze-im-internet.de/berathig/__2.html). Retrieved 20 September 2026.
Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (brak.de): Bundesweites Amtliches Anwaltsverzeichnis (nationwide official lawyer directory). Retrieved 20 September 2026.

Uncertain and open points

§ 140 StPO: cases of mandatory defence were reviewed only in excerpts; please read the full list in paragraph 1 in the statute itself.
Not retrieved: § 112a, § 201, § 257c, § 412 StPO. Not covered: amounts of fees, repayment of court-appointed defence lawyer remuneration, proceedings in absentia, remedies against searches, tax and commercial criminal cases, extradition.
No local advice centres, addresses or phone numbers; a nationwide advice service specifically for suspects could not be verified.

What this platform does – and what it does not

Wegweiser explains rights in criminal proceedings in plain language and gives legal bases, deadlines and figures from the sources named. It is not a substitute for legal advice or for a review of your individual case. It names no local advice centres, addresses or phone numbers other than nationally documented bodies. No personal data is stored. Imprisonment and rehabilitation are covered by the Wegweiser for offenders (Straffällige), the rights of victims by the Wegweiser for crime victims (Kriminalitätsopfer). Deadlines for penalty orders, fine notices and judgments are strict: get advice early.