Rechtsstand Herbst 202643 life situations645 topic pages41 roadmapsFree, no account

Life situations

43 life situations in six areas, each with an overview and topic pages: first explained in brief, below that the in-depth section with legal basis.

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Work, training & income8 life situations

Unemployed peopleBasic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld), unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I), Jobcenter, sanctions, further training, debts.Rights and obligations at a glance Applying for Grundsicherungsgeld (Bürgergeld)Unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I)Cooperation plan (formerly integration agreement)Sanctions and breaches of duty Housing and heating costs Assets and protected assets Additional earnings alongside Grundsicherungsgeld Child supplement and family benefits Health insurance during unemployment Further training and retraining One-euro jobs (work opportunities)Objection to a Jobcenter notice Debt and personal insolvency Advice and points of contact
EmployeesProtection against dismissal, pay, holiday, working time, works council: rights and duties for employees.Overview: rights and duties in employment Employment contract and fixed term Protection against dismissal Claim against dismissal Warning letters and how you can respond Employment reference Continued pay during illness Entitlement to leave Pay, minimum wage and back pay Working time and overtime Short-time work and short-time work benefit Works council and co-determination Bullying, discrimination and occupational health and safety Workplace accidents and occupational diseases Advice and points of contact
EmployersHiring, employment contract, mini-job, notifications, minimum wage, holiday, sickness, dismissal: for small businesses and private households.Small employer: overview Registering a home help: private household as employer Employment contract and Nachweisgesetz Family members in the business Mini-job and midi-job 2026 Registration, immediate notification and accident insurance Minimum wage 2026 Granting leave Sickness, continued pay and levies U1/U2 Dismissal in a small business Fixed-term employment contracts Working time recording Data protection and works council Occupational safety and work accidents Advice and contact points for employers
Self-employed peopleStart-up grant, health and pension insurance, taxes, false self-employment, insolvency, advice.Overview: rights and obligations as a self-employed person Start-up grant and entry allowance Health insurance for self-employed people Compulsory pension insurance and planned retirement provision obligation Artists' Social Insurance Fund (KSK)Taxes and advance payments Payment default and liquidity Supplementary basic income support for self-employed people Illness and income replacement for self-employed people Parental allowance for self-employed people Contract law and dunning Recognising and clarifying false self-employment Insolvency as a self-employed person Business insurance for self-employed people Advice and contact points for self-employed people
TradespeopleMaster craftsman requirement, contract for work, invoice, taxes, pension, training, building site: for business owners and journeymen.Overview of trade law Master craftsman requirement, trade register and trades not subject to licensing Setting up and registering a business Contract for work, quotation and cost estimate Acceptance and warranty Late payment and security for construction contractors Invoicing and e-invoices Taxes and the small business scheme Business liability insurance and other insurance Retirement provision and health insurance Training apprentices in the business Hiring journeymen and skilled workers Occupational safety, BG BAU and building site law Undeclared work, false self-employment and immediate notification Advice and contact points
StudentsBAföG (student financial aid), student loans, health insurance, housing, child benefit, side job, exam law, debts.Rights and obligations at a glance Applying for BAföG BAföG objection and repayment Student loans and scholarships Health insurance for students Housing: student halls and shared flats Part-time jobs and working students Child benefit during studies Leave semester and illness Dropping out and reorientation Semester abroad and funding Housing benefit for students Challenging exam results and compensation for disadvantages Debt and over-indebtedness Advice and contact points
PovertyHidden poverty, working poor, food banks (Tafel), education package, debt counselling, garnishment-protected account.Overview: poverty and basic income support in Germany Hidden poverty and non-take-up of benefits Topping up on a low income (working poor)Food banks and other benefits in kind Social pass and concessions Education and participation package (§ 28 SGB II)Child poverty and family benefits at a glance Energy debt and power cut-offs Housing costs and rent arrears Debt counselling and personal insolvency Protected account (P-Konto)Account for everyone and bank fees Health on a low income Poverty in old age Advice and contact points
Debtors & personal insolvencyPayment order (Mahnbescheid), garnishment, P-Konto, consumer insolvency, discharge of residual debt.Overview: debt and ways out Debt counselling: the first step Payment order and enforcement order Limitation of debts Wage garnishment and exemption limits Protected account (P-Konto)Bailiff and asset disclosure Out-of-court settlement with creditors Consumer insolvency and discharge of residual debt Good-conduct period and trustee Procedure costs and deferral Housing and rent arrears Debt among the self-employed Schufa and credit reporting agencies Advice and points of contact

Family & children6 life situations

Parents & familiesChild benefit, child supplement (Kinderzuschlag), daycare, school, sick days for children, youth welfare office (Jugendamt), children's rights.Overview: rights and benefits for families Applying for child benefit Child supplement for low incomes Education and participation (education package)Child benefit for adult children Training and maintenance for adult children Daycare, childminders and all-day care at primary school age Compulsory schooling and choice of school Child sick days and child sickness benefit Custody: the basics Child protection and the Jugendamt: your rights Educational support: your right to assistance The child's own rights, independent of the parents Phones, internet and youth protection Advice and contact points
Single mothersAdvance maintenance payments, child maintenance, relief amount for single parents, child supplement, additional needs, daycare place, custody.Rights and support at a glance Advance maintenance payment (UVG)Enforcing child maintenance Single parent tax relief (Entlastungsbetrag)Child supplement (Kinderzuschlag)Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, Bürgergeld) for single parents Additional needs allowance for single parents in basic income support Housing benefit (Wohngeld) for single parents Finding housing as a single parent Daycare place and childcare Custody and contact rights Balancing work and family Child's illness and time off work Debt and single parents Advice and contact points
Pregnancy & parental leaveMaternity protection, parental allowance (Elterngeld), parental leave, protection against dismissal, entitlement to a daycare place, returning to work.Rights around pregnancy, birth and parental leave at a glance Notifying the pregnancy and maternity protection periods Bans on employment during pregnancy Protection against dismissal during pregnancy and maternity protection Maternity pay (Mutterschaftsgeld)Parental allowance: basic parental allowance, ElterngeldPlus and partnership bonus Parental leave: entitlement, duration, transferability and registration Protection against dismissal during parental leave Part-time work during parental leave Legal entitlement to a daycare place Child sickness benefit (Kinderkrankengeld)Child benefit and child supplement (Kindergeld and Kinderzuschlag)Returning to work after parental leave Adoption and foster care: special rules Advice and contact points
Separation & divorceYear of separation, divorce proceedings, pension and community-of-gains equalisation, maintenance, custody and contact rights.Overview: separation and divorce in Germany Year of separation: requirements and exceptions Separation within the shared home Marital home and household goods on separation Divorce petition and course of proceedings Divorce costs and legal aid for proceedings (Verfahrenskostenhilfe)Consensual vs. contested divorce Pension rights equalisation (Versorgungsausgleich)Equalisation of accrued gains (Zugewinnausgleich)Separation maintenance and post-divorce maintenance Child maintenance and the Düsseldorf Table Custody and contact rights after separation Shared residence model (Wechselmodell): legal basics Tax consequences of separation and divorce Advice, mediation and family advice centres
Care leaversTransition from youth welfare and foster families: help for young adults, aftercare, first own home.Care leavers: overview and legal basics Support for young adults (§ 41 SGB VIII)Becoming independent and support planning (§ 36 SGB VIII)Aftercare after the end of youth welfare (§ 41a SGB VIII)Cost contribution: what you have to hand over from your own income Bürgergeld/basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) for care leavers without family support BAföG and training funding without parental support Financial start-up help: initial equipment, foundations, funds Avoiding debt and financial education without a family network Housing after youth welfare Guardianship and assistance: what ends at the age of majority Contact with your family of origin after youth welfare Securing certificates, documents and your own file Mental strain and after-effects of trauma: finding counselling Advice and contact points for care leavers
Domestic violenceExpulsion of the perpetrator, Protection against Violence Act (Gewaltschutzgesetz), women's refuge, criminal complaint, child protection, financial security after moving out.Forms of domestic violence and first orientation Acute danger: what to do now Police removal order and ban on returning Women's shelters and protective accommodation Gewaltschutzgesetz: restraining order and no-contact order Allocation of the home after separation because of violence Criminal complaint and criminal proceedings Securing evidence: medical certificates and forensic violence clinics Perpetrator programmes and anti-violence programmes Children in the household: child protection, youth welfare office, family court Social compensation for victims of violence (SGB XIV)Financial security after moving out Residence law in cases of violence in marriage Psychological support and trauma counselling Advice and contact points

Health & mental health10 life situations

DepressionFirst point of contact, treatment, cost coverage, sick note, reduced earning capacity, severe disability.Overview: help for depression First points of contact and the role of the GP Acute treatment and crisis service Hospital stay and admission Finding a therapy place Cost coverage for psychotherapy Medication: the basics Sick leave for depression Return to work after depression Depression and employment law Reduced earning capacity in depression Severe disability in depression Relatives of people with depression Self-help groups for depression Advice and contact points
Burnout & exhaustionSick note, continued pay, sickness benefit (Krankengeld), gradual return to work, rehabilitation, rights at work.What is burnout? Medical and legal classification Sick leave for burnout and exhaustion Continued pay in case of illness (EFZG)Sickness benefit for longer-lasting exhaustion Gradual return to work (Hamburg model)Workplace integration management (BEM)Psychotherapy and outpatient treatment Medical rehab for exhaustion Mother-child and father-child cure for exhaustion Reduced earning capacity pension for chronic exhaustion Prevention: risk assessment of psychological stress Your rights in case of overload at work Self-help and stress management Relatives and social circle Advice and contact points
AddictionAdvice, treatment and rights for alcohol, drug, medication and gambling addiction.Overview: help with addiction Finding addiction counselling Self-help groups Advice and contact points Withdrawal and detoxification Substitution treatment Rehabilitation / addiction treatment Relapse and aftercare Treatment instead of punishment (§ 35 BtMG)Driving licence and addiction (MPU)Cooperation plan in cases of addiction (formerly Eingliederungsvereinbarung)Work and addiction Debt caused by addiction Family and relatives Gambling addiction
LonelinessRecognising loneliness, finding contact points, ways out of isolation – from immediate help to self-help groups.Recognising loneliness: overview When professional help is needed TelefonSeelsorge and crisis services Loneliness in old age Loneliness among young people Loneliness after bereavement or separation Social groups and meeting opportunities Volunteering as a way out of isolation Loneliness and physical health Digital participation against loneliness Loneliness at work Self-help groups for loneliness Relatives and neighbourhood help Psychotherapy for loneliness: cost coverage Advice and contact points for loneliness
Crisis of meaningGuidance in existential crises and life upheavals – from the TelefonSeelsorge (telephone counselling service) to psychotherapy.Recognising a crisis of meaning: an overview When professional help is needed TelefonSeelsorge and church pastoral care Psychosocial advice centres Philosophical life counselling Crisis of meaning in midlife Career reorientation and retraining Sabbatical and time out from your job Educational leave for orientation Monastery stay and retreat days Self-help groups and discussion circles Psychotherapy for a crisis of meaning: cost coverage Crisis of meaning after an upheaval in life Faith, spirituality and worldview Advice and contact points for a crisis of meaning
Chronically ill peopleExemption from co-payments, home nursing care, aids and appliances, DMP (disease management programmes), rehabilitation, rights at work.Rights and entitlements in chronic illness: an overview Co-payment exemption and burden limit (§ 62 SGB V)Home nursing care (§ 37 SGB V)Aids and appliances and therapies: prescription and cost coverage Disease management programmes (DMP)Travel costs for treatment (§ 60 SGB V)Sick leave and sickness benefit in chronic illness Occupational integration management (BEM) in chronic illness Medical rehabilitation in chronic illness Reduced earning capacity pension in chronic illness Severe disability card and degree of disability (GdB) in chronic illness Care level in chronic illness Patient rights and second opinion Travel, insurance and everyday life with chronic illness Advice and contact points
DisabilitySevere disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis), integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe), Budget for Work (Budget für Arbeit), protection against dismissal, care level (Pflegegrad).Rights of people with disabilities at a glance Applying for a severe disability ID Degree of disability: assessment and objection Compensation for disadvantages in everyday life Integration assistance: participation benefits at a glance Personal budget Budget for Work Work and sheltered workshops for people with disabilities (WfbM)Protection against dismissal for severely disabled people Barrier-free housing and conversion Mobility and public transport Care level in cases of disability School and inclusion Pension and reduced earning capacity in cases of disability Advice and points of contact
Patients & medical errorsInformation before treatment, access to records, medical errors, compensation for pain and suffering, health insurer, advice.Overview: Your patients' rights Information and consent Living will and inability to consent Access to records and copy of the treatment record Recognising treatment errors and first steps Burden of proof in treatment errors Expert opinions: Medizinischer Dienst and arbitration board Compensation for pain and suffering (Schmerzensgeld) and damages Limitation periods for claims Support from your health insurer (§ 66 SGB V)Reimbursement and refusal by your insurer IGeL: Services you pay for yourself Second opinion before an operation Discharge management in hospital Advice, complaints and contact points
Occupational disabilityReduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente), private occupational disability insurance, rehabilitation before pension, basic income support for reduced earning capacity.Reduced earning capacity pension and private occupational disability insurance compared Reduced earning capacity pension: requirements, qualifying period and application Rehabilitation before pension Objection against the rejection notice for the reduced earning capacity pension Additional income with the reduced earning capacity pension Basic income support in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity Private occupational disability insurance: contract basics Rejection and referral to another occupation in private occupational disability insurance Review, objection and lawsuit in private occupational disability insurance Taxes on the reduced earning capacity pension and private BU pension Occupational disability in Riester and Rürup contracts Protection against dismissal and workplace reintegration management (BEM)Severe disability card and reduced earning capacity: how the two are connected Occupational disability among self-employed people Advice and contact points for occupational disability
People with reduced earning capacityIf your health no longer allows you to work full time: reduced earning capacity pension (EM-Rente), rehabilitation, end of sickness benefit entitlement, transitions.No longer able to work full-time: the overview Amount of the pension: credited period and deductions Temporary pension, extension and permanent status Working with a reduced earning capacity pension: additional income 2026 and trial work Application, medical report, assessment and pension notice Rejection: objection, lawsuit, expert opinion under § 109 SGG Sickness benefit: 78 weeks, end of entitlement (Aussteuerung) and request to apply for rehabilitation Unemployment benefit with reduced work capacity (Nahtlosigkeit, § 145 SGB III)Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or basic income support for reduced earning capacity: who pays when Rehabilitation, participation in working life and when rehabilitation becomes a pension application Workshop for disabled people (Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen) and Budget für Arbeit Health insurance and long-term care insurance with a reduced earning capacity pension Tax, housing benefit, co-payment exemption and further help Legal position 2026: what applies, what is only proposed Advice and contact points

Old age, care & inheritance5 life situations

SeniorsPension, basic income support in old age, care, living will (Patientenverfügung), power of attorney for care and health matters (Vorsorgevollmacht), inheritance law.Rights and points of contact in old age: an overview Applying for an old-age pension Objecting to a pension notice Earning extra income in retirement Applying for a care level Care benefits and care allowance Assisted living and nursing homes Basic income support in old age Tax relief in old age Health insurance and co-payments Living will and power of attorney Inheritance law and wills: the basics Fraud and protection against rip-offs Digital participation and help Advice and points of contact for seniors
PensionersStatutory pension, taxes, health insurance, basic income support in old age, housing benefit (Wohngeld): the money guide for retirement age.Overview: money in retirement Retirement age, types of old-age pension and deductions Pension application, deadlines and pension statement Checking the pension notice and objection Pension adjustment 2026 and state of reform Additional earnings and Aktivrente Pension and taxes: taxable share, basic allowance, tax return Health and long-term care insurance for pensioners (KVdR)Basic income support in old age (SGB XII) and basic pension supplement Housing benefit for pensioners Widow's pension, widower's pension and pension splitting on divorce Occupational pension, Riester, Rürup and the 2026/2027 reform Pension abroad and proof of life Recognising pension fraud and fake messages Advice and contact points for pensioners
Family carersCare leave (Pflegezeit), family care leave (Familienpflegezeit), protection against dismissal, respite care, relief amount, your own security.Rights of family carers at a glance Short-term absence from work in an acute care situation Care leave (PflegeZG)Family care leave (FPfZG)Protection against dismissal during care leave and family care leave Combining care and work in everyday life Care level assessment: process and objection Care allowance, benefits in kind and combined benefits Respite care (§ 39 SGB XI)Relief amount (§ 45b SGB XI)Pension insurance for carers Accident insurance for carers Parental maintenance and the Angehörigen-Entlastungsgesetz (Relatives Relief Act)Mental strain and self-help for family carers Advice and contact points for family carers
Grief & lossDeath of a loved one, funeral, inheritance, survivors' pensions, grief support.Grief and bereavement: an overview Death: the first steps Organising a funeral and costs Death grant and coverage of funeral costs Estate and inheritance: the basics Disclaiming an inheritance and its deadlines Digital estate Widow's pension and widower's pension Orphan's pension Grief support: forms and contact points Grief at work and time off Grief in children and young people Sudden loss and crisis intervention Grief after miscarriage and loss of a child Advice and support services for grief
Heirs & estatesDeath, will, disclaiming an inheritance, certificate of inheritance, compulsory portion, debts, inheritance tax.Inheritance and estates: overview Death: first steps and handing in a will Statutory succession: who inherits without a will?Will and contract of inheritance Disclaiming an inheritance: 6 weeks Accepting the inheritance and taking stock Certificate of inheritance and European Certificate of Succession Compulsory portion: minimum share for close relatives Lifetime gifts and supplementary compulsory portion Community of heirs: inheriting together and dividing the estate Estate debts and limiting liability Inheritance tax: allowances, reporting, tax classes Burial and funeral costs Bank account, property and digital estate Advice and contact points

Housing, consumers & transport8 life situations

TenantsRent increase, service charges, defects, termination, rent arrears – with the most important deadlines.Overview of tenants' rights Tenancy agreement and deposit Rent, rent brake and index-linked rent Rent increase and modernisation Service charge statement Defects and rent reduction Termination by the landlord and personal use Eviction action and hardship Rent arrears and grace-period payment Termination by the tenant Subletting and shared flats Handover of the flat and cosmetic repairs Housing benefit (Wohngeld) for tenants Heating costs and CO2 cost sharing Advice and contact points
Small landlordsChoosing tenants, deposit, rent level, operating costs, termination, late payment, taxes.Overview for small landlords Choosing tenants, AGG and self-disclosure Tenancy agreement and deposit Rent level and rent brake Rent increase up to the comparable rent Index-linked rent, graduated rent and modernisation Service charge statement Defects, cosmetic repairs, handover and return Energy, CO2 costs and heating Termination and own use Late payment and eviction Taxes on letting Insurance for landlords Subletting and holiday flats Advice and contact points
Owners & self-buildersProperty purchase, building finance, building contract, owners' association, property tax, heating, letting.Overview: owners and builders Purchase contract, notary and land register Purchase incidental costs and real estate transfer tax Construction financing, withdrawal and termination Developers, payment schedule and security Consumer building contract, acceptance and defects Condominium ownership: meeting, resolution, manager, service charge Neighbour law Property tax (Grundsteuer)Heating, Building Modernisation Act and funding Letting by owners Buildings insurance and natural hazards Forced auction (Zwangsversteigerung)Inheriting or gifting property Advice and contact points
Homeless peopleAccommodation, emergency shelters, social benefits, documents and legal protection without a fixed address.Your rights at a glance: homeless (wohnungslos) and roofless (obdachlos)Public-order accommodation Emergency overnight shelter and cold-weather aid Avoiding loss of your home: rent arrears and eviction Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld/Bürgergeld) without a fixed address Postal address and contact with authorities without a fixed address ID card without a fixed address Health insurance without a fixed address Health care for homeless people Finding your own home: specialist advice and Housing First Debt and homelessness Rights in public space: orders to leave and begging Children and housing need: youth welfare office and women's shelters Work despite homelessness Advice and points of contact
ConsumersWithdrawal, defects, subscriptions, advertising calls, Schufa (credit agency), energy, bank account, loans.Overview of consumer rights Right of withdrawal and the withdrawal button Statutory warranty and defects Guarantee and complaints Subscription traps, cancellation button and contract terms Cold calling and unwanted calls Reminders, debt collection and Schufa Online shopping and fraud Travel and air passenger rights Energy suppliers, tariff changes and price increases Bank account, basic account and bank fees Loans, instalment purchases and consumer insolvency Data protection and advertising for consumers Consumer arbitration and court options Advice and contact points
Vehicle ownersRegistration, insurance, vehicle tax, vehicle inspection (HU), fines, driving licence, buying a used car.Overview for vehicle keepers Registration, change of address, deregistration and i-Kfz Motor insurance: obligation, eVB and cancellation Vehicle tax and exemption for electric cars Main inspection (TÜV), emissions test, low-emission zone and tolls Fine catalogue, points and driver fitness register Driving ban and objection to a fine notice Driving licence: exchange, EU licence and renewal Probationary period, withdrawal of the driving licence and MPU Parking, tickets, towing and keeper liability Buying a used car: warranty and rescission Garage, repairs, guarantee and recall Car financing and leasing: revocation Car theft and loss of vehicle documents Advice and contact points
Road accident victimsAccident scene, evidence, liability, claims settlement, compensation for pain and suffering, deadlines.Overview: After a road accident What to do at the scene and securing evidence Liability and contributory fault Hit and run and Verkehrsopferhilfe Cyclists and pedestrians as accident victims Claims settlement through motor liability insurance Fictitious settlement and expert reports Rental car and loss of use Comprehensive insurance and loss of no-claims discount Personal injury and compensation for pain and suffering Loss of earnings and household-help damages Legal expenses insurance and lawyer's costs Limitation of accident claims Criminal proceedings and administrative offences Advice and contact points
TravellersPackage holiday, flight, rail, luggage, accommodation, rental car, entry, customs, insurance.Overview: your rights when travelling Package holiday: withdrawal, defects, insolvency protection Accommodation and booking platforms Rental car and vehicle abroad Flight: delay, cancellation, denied boarding Luggage: loss, damage, delay Train: passenger rights in case of delay and cancellation Ferry and cruise ID card, passport, ETA, EES and ETIAS Customs: what you may bring back Travelling with children and animals Travel insurance and illness abroad Travel warnings, crisis preparedness, Auswärtiges Amt Credit card, cash and roaming Advice and contact points

Law, state & society6 life situations

Citizens and authoritiesUnderstanding a notice of decision (Bescheid), hearing, objection (Widerspruch), lawsuit, authority inaction, access to files, information, costs.Overview: your rights towards authorities Understanding a notice of decision Hearing before the notice of decision Filing an objection Court action before the administrative or social court When the authority does not decide Request for review under § 44 SGB X Access to files Information about your data (Art. 15 DSGVO)Information from authorities (IFG)Deadlines and restoration of the original position Fees and costs Legal advice assistance and legal aid Petition and complaint Advice and points of contact
SocietyKnowing and using fundamental rights: voting, demonstrating, requesting information, defending yourself against discrimination.Overview: fundamental rights and participation Right to vote and voting (postal vote, voting age)Freedom of assembly and demonstrations Petition, citizens' petition for a referendum, referendum Freedom of information: information from authorities Data protection and the right of access (GDPR)Volunteering and civic engagement: flat-rate allowances, accident insurance Naturalisation and citizenship (as of 2026)Discrimination under the AGG outside work Freedom of expression, online hate, reporting centres Lay judges and honorary offices in the justice system Legal advice assistance and legal aid Your rights during police checks and identity checks Civil courage and helping in an emergency Advice and contact points
Associations & NGOsFounding, non-profit status, board liability, donations, taxes, flat-rate allowances: for board members and volunteers.Overview: association and NGO law Founding an association and registration in the register of associations Articles of association: mandatory content and tax requirements Non-profit status (§§ 51 ff. AO) and exemption notice (Freistellungsbescheid)Board, liability and insurance General meeting and resolutions Donations and donation receipts (Zuwendungsbestätigung)Taxes in the association: thresholds, commercial activity, tax return Volunteer and trainer's allowances 2026 Grants and funding Employees, mini-jobs and freelancers in the association Data protection in the association Transparency register, bookkeeping, accounting, dissolution Political activity and non-profit status Advice and contact points
Suspects & defendantsSummons, right to remain silent, defence lawyer, search, pre-trial detention, penalty order (Strafbefehl), appeals, costs.Overview: Suspected in criminal proceedings Summons and questioning Right to remain silent and prohibited methods Search Arrest and pre-trial detention Defence lawyer and court-appointed defence Access to the case file Penalty order and objection (2 weeks)Discontinuation under §§ 153, 153a StPO Indictment and main hearing Appeals: Berufung and Revision Costs of the proceedings Fine proceedings: objection (2 weeks)Young people and young adults Advice and contact points
People convicted of offencesRights in prison, release preparation, probation, certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis), fresh start with housing, work and money.Rights and duties in prison – the overview Rights in prison: mail, visits, complaints Family and contact during prison Release preparation: sentence plan and transition management Open prison and relaxations of custody Suspended sentence on probation Certificate of good conduct: what employers may see Criminal record and deletion Housing after release Work after release: disclosure and the right to ask Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld) after release Debts after release Victim-offender mediation and making amends Addiction during and after prison Advice and points of contact
Crime victimsJoining a prosecution as a private accessory (Nebenklage), psychosocial support during trial, social compensation, compensation for pain and suffering, victim protection.Rights of victims of crime at a glance Criminal complaint and securing evidence Joint plaintiff status (Nebenklage): taking an active part in criminal proceedings as a victim Witness counsel and legal representation Psychosocial trial support Social compensation under SGB XIV Compensation for pain and suffering and damages Offender-victim mediation (Täter-Opfer-Ausgleich)Victim and witness protection at the main hearing Stalking (Nachstellung, § 238 StGB)Victim protection for online offences Health insurance and treatment costs Continued pay during sick leave after a crime Compensation as a witness (JVEG)Advice and points of contact

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