Wegweiser Suspects · Your rights in criminal proceedings Deutsch

🤝 Advice and contact points

Where to find a defence lawyer and what help exists nationwide.

advice lawyer directory specialist criminal law lawyer legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) defence lawyer bar association

In brief

You can find a defence lawyer through the Bundesweites Amtliches Anwaltsverzeichnis (nationwide official lawyer directory) of the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (Federal Bar Association, brak.de). The lawyer search in the official directory is available there. The search is free and requires no registration.

The local bar association (Rechtsanwaltskammer) can also help you with the search.

In certain cases you can get a court-appointed defence lawyer (see the page "Defence lawyer").

For imprisonment and a fresh start after the sentence, there is the Wegweiser for offenders (Straffällige). For victims, there is the Wegweiser for crime victims (Kriminalitätsopfer).

If you are in a crisis, talk to a person you trust or an advice centre. This Wegweiser does not name local bodies.

Step by step

  1. Find a defence lawyerUse the BRAK lawyer directory or ask your bar association.
  2. Use the initial consultationClarify the allegation, deadlines and costs.
  3. Check legal advice assistanceIf your income is low, legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) may be possible for advice (not representation).

Deadlines

Immediately
With deadlines such as 2 weeks (penalty order, fine) and 1 week (judgment), get advice promptly§ 410 StPO, § 67 OWiG, § 314 StPO
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The Wegweiser does not name local advice centres and phone numbers because they could not be verified.
  • Legal advice assistance in criminal law: advice only, no representation (§ 2 para. 2 BerHG).
  • Be careful whom you trust: do not pass on information in the proceedings without checking.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Lawyer directory

According to the information retrieved, the Bundesweites Amtliches Anwaltsverzeichnis (BRAV) of the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer contains all lawyers admitted in Germany and enables the lawyer search in the official directory. Access via the internet is free and requires no registration. Source: brak.de.

Legal advice assistance

Under § 2 para. 2 BerHG, in criminal law and administrative offence law only advice is granted; representation is excluded. For representation in criminal proceedings, a court-appointed defence lawyer may come into consideration.

Not examined

Not researched were nationwide advice centres specifically for suspects, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) in criminal proceedings and legal expenses insurance. Local advice services were deliberately not listed.

Who is responsible
  • Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (lawyer directory)
  • Local bar association
  • Local court (legal advice assistance, application)
Further reading
Defence lawyer and court-appointed defencePenalty order and objection (2 weeks)Overview: Suspected in criminal proceedings

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Advice and contact points“?
Where to find a defence lawyer and what help exists nationwide.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
Immediately: With deadlines such as 2 weeks (penalty order, fine) and 1 week (judgment), get advice promptly (§ 410 StPO, § 67 OWiG, § 314 StPO)
What should I do first?
  • Find a defence lawyer: Use the BRAK lawyer directory or ask your bar association.
  • Use the initial consultation: Clarify the allegation, deadlines and costs.
  • Check legal advice assistance: If your income is low, legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) may be possible for advice (not representation).
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The Wegweiser does not name local advice centres and phone numbers because they could not be verified.
  • Legal advice assistance in criminal law: advice only, no representation (§ 2 para. 2 BerHG).
  • Be careful whom you trust: do not pass on information in the proceedings without checking.
Evidence
  • Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (brak.de), Bundesweites Amtliches Anwaltsverzeichnis, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz, Gesetze im Internet: BerHG § 2 (gesetze-im-internet.de/berathig/__2.html), retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz, Gesetze im Internet: § 141 StPO, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.