Blackmail is considered as a criminal law offence in Germany and therefore carries heavy sanctions should one be found guilty. Should a person be found guilty of it, they can face punishment of up to five years imprisonment. Those guilty can also face fines for this action. Attempted blackmail is also punishable by law. Should a case involve those in a gang or in organised crime, then the sentencing will be likely to be on the higher end of the scale. Other factors will also be considered such as cases involving violence and dangers to the life of the person, these cases will carry heavy sanctions.

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our criminal law defence team provides our clients with comprehensive legal advice regarding such cases in Germany. We will provide you with clear defence strategies and guidance to defend you against damaging accusations.

If you face accusations of criminal offences in Germany, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defence lawyer at your side. Criminal law cases are complicated, and criminal law procedure does not start in the courtroom. If you have not previously been involved in a criminal law case, it can be a daunting experience. Before even reaching a court, there may be house searches, interrogations and police summonses, having a lawyer during this time is vital to your future success.

Criminal law cases follow certain patterns. There are rules in place for every aspect; from how witnesses and experts should be called to how evidence should be presented and whether bail applies. Although you may not have experienced a criminal law case in Germany before, our criminal defence lawyers have seen this scenario many times before now. They will outline to you how a case will proceed and what you can expect during it.

The changes and developments in technology in recent decades have changed everything about our lives, including crime. Fraudulent activity due to cybercrime incidents is rising. Should you be the victim of such a fraud action, or a victim of another cybercrime offence, it is in your interest to contact a lawyer for advice. In such a relatively new law area, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Our lawyers will advise you of the next steps to take.

Similarly, it is easy to be falsely accused of benefitting from such a scam. It is not uncommon for accusations and investigations to find the wrong person. Therefore, contacting a lawyer in such circumstances is crucial to ensure that the case goes no further than it needs to. Our lawyers also advise and provide defence services when it comes to accusations of cyberstalking, online harassment, copyright infringements and other internet criminal law offences. Contact our team of lawyers to find out more about the services we offer in these fields.

Defamatory statements – whether written or spoken – can cause harm to others. If defamatory statements go unchallenged, they can significantly affect a person’s professional career and personal life. False accusations of crime or misconduct in the workplace can have serious consequences, as can lies about a person’s private life. Occasionally, such events can spill over, and it may be necessary to seek advice from expert legal counsel.

On the other hand, freedom of expression and freedom of the press from § 5 (1) German Constitution must also be respected. Defamation, insult and slander law should not be used irresponsibly to prevent opinion-forming debates and discussions. This is especially true for matters involving influential figures, such as politicians and events of public interest. How can a fair balance be achieved between the competing interests of protecting personal honour or respect for personality and the right to freedom of the press and freedom of expression?

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our legal team is ready to represent you in cases of defamation, slander, malicious gossip and insult.