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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.

Driving offences can, in some circumstances, lead to criminal convictions. Whether an offence will be deemed criminal or administrative in nature depends on the case’s facts. Different circumstances such as whether a case is a repeat offence, the amount of alcohol consumed in a DUI case and whether there were casualties in the traffic collision will play a large role. However, administrative cases can carry heavy penalties with large fines and driving bans of up to several months applying in some situations. Criminal proceedings carry heavier potential sanctions with prison sentences and driving disqualification amongst the sanctions possible during such cases.

Driving offences in Germany are not merely limited to cars as it is also possible to face criminal cases for traffic offences committed with e-scooters. Using an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol can result in a prison sentence as well as driving bans.

Driving offences committed in Germany can also impact a person when they are not in Germany’s jurisdiction. Even when they return to their home country, a driving ban issued in Germany has consequences and can follow them there. Should you find yourself in such a situation, contact our legal team, and from there, they can examine your individual case.

There are many drug offences for which a person can be found liable under German law. The severity of the charges faced depends on the type of drug, the nature of the offence and factors such as whether the action was committed on a commercial basis or for personal usage. When it comes to the drug type, there is, for example, a difference between possessing marijuana and possessing cocaine for personal usage. Our pages on these individual topics will outline how such differences are recognised. Our lawyers will support you in your case on this matter.

Accusations of drug offences can be damaging to a person’s professional and personal life. It can be difficult to know what to do in such circumstances. Working with a criminal defence lawyer is the best way to proceed in such a scenario. Once our lawyers are in your corner, we can work together to formulate our strategy. We will support you both inside and outside of court. We will provide comprehensive counsel for your case using our knowledge of narcotics law and German criminal procedure.

Extradition cases require lawyers with extensive expertise in the field. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte we have worked alongside clients worldwide in cases of international extradition, especially those related to the removal of Interpol Red Notices. Through our knowledge of the complexities of extradition law, our close contacts with local extradition counsel worldwide and our global mobility, we have succeeded in challenging our clients’ extradition orders. Our clients in the field of extradition law are in exceptional situations that often affect their freedom, life and physical integrity, and this means they require exceptional legal support. In times of crisis, you can rely on the lawyers at Schlun & Elseven.

Allegations of fraud can be damaging on a personal and professional level. Expert defence counsel is needed in such situations, and at Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our criminal defence lawyers are available in cases of individual defence. Our legal team will advise you regarding the German criminal procedure and what to expect when on trial in Germany, analyse your case thoroughly, provide tailored solutions fitted to the characteristics of the matter and we will look for the best possible outcome in your case. As a client of Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, you can expect meticulous preparation in advance of your case, as such pre-trial planning is often the key factor in successful proceedings.

Our lawyers advise clients on subsidy fraud cases, bitcoin & cryptocurrency fraud, investment fraud and litigation fraud matters, among others.

Knowing your rights when it comes to house searches and police seizures is vital. Without knowing the law, your rights and how you should behave in this situation leaves you open to further legal probelms. Moreover, the state’s move to search your property is a significant action, so they need to follow the rules and regulations in place. Should these rules not be followed the state leaves itself open to possible legal challenges.

Similarly, an audit by tax investigators, in the form of a search of premises, can be a concern for businesses. It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed or anxious by the prospect of an investigation, even in cases where you believe everything should be in order. Such forms of tax audits can arise due to mistakes made by the tax authorities or through irregularities in their systems. Expert legal counsel from our lawyers can ensure that you are prepared for what can happen during a business or house search.

The victims of crime should also consider the support of expert criminal lawyers. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our team advise on all areas of German criminal law and criminal procedure, and therefore, can provide you with the insight you need when bringing a criminal complaint. Our team will advise you on your rights relating to compensation claims, legal protections against violent offenders, the standards required concerning evidence in criminal law cases and more. Having a criminal law expert advise you can provide peace of mind and ensure that your rights are kept central to proceedings.