Criminal Defense Lawyers in Düsseldorf

As Düsseldorf’s status as a major international business centre brings complex regulatory environments, it is not uncommon for businesses to become entangled in commercial criminal proceedings. Our Düsseldorf criminal defense attorneys provide comprehensive representation for allegations of money laundering, embezzlement, fraud, or violations of competition law, labour law, tax law, or customs law.

Our Düsseldorf criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing comprehensive clarification and exonerating you from any allegations of such offences. With our multilingual capabilities and international legal coordination experience, we provide seamless representation for clients from diverse backgrounds. Through carefully prepared statements and well-thought-out negotiations with the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office and other involved authorities, we first seek to have the investigation proceedings discontinued. Should a main trial occur at the Düsseldorf Regional Court, we will develop a customised defense strategy in close consultation with our clients.

With Düsseldorf’s strategic location as a major port city on the Rhine and its proximity to the Netherlands and Belgium borders, customs criminal law cases are particularly prevalent in the region. Anyone who trades in goods on a large scale through Düsseldorf’s extensive logistics network will inevitably come into contact with customs law – particularly customs criminal law. The Port of Düsseldorf, Germany’s largest inland port, and the city’s position as a significant distribution hub for European trade, mean that customs investigations are increasingly common. Irregularities in handling excise goods or the failure to declare cash can also lead to violations of customs criminal law, even for private individuals.

International customs law provisions are highly complex, dealing with “blanket offences” specified only through general customs law provisions. Our attorneys represent clients before the Main Customs Office Düsseldorf (Hauptzollamt Düsseldorf) and in court proceedings. We immediately lodge appeals against fines or business bans and advise on self-disclosure exemptions.

Our compliance solutions ensure employees understand all applicable regulations and company guidelines. We review compliance systems to identify weaknesses and develop targeted countermeasures based on your corporate culture. This prevents criminal violations and ensures legal security for the future.

As an interdisciplinary full-service law firm, we are also familiar with legal issues relating to nature conservation in Germany. Whether your case involves illegal waste disposal, soil, air or water pollution, or a violation of permits, we guarantee professional and committed legal representation.

Our legal defense covers all allegations relevant to environmental criminal law and the defense against fines. Our attorneys will handle all communication with the German Federal Environmental Agency on your behalf to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. Our services also include comprehensive advice on:

• Issues relating to waste management and recycling,
• The use of “green” information technology (Green IT, ESG),
• The legally compliant design of environmental advertising claims.

The special feature of environmental criminal law lies in its so-called administrative accessory nature. Criminal liability does not arise directly from the environmentally relevant act itself but from the violation of an existing administrative act. Therefore, our attorneys first check whether the necessary official approval was obtained in your case and whether its provisions or an express prohibition were violated. If this is the case, we will provide you with comprehensive information about your legal options.

As a full-service law firm, we offer skilled legal advice to private individuals. Our services in cases of suspected criminal offences cover the entire spectrum of criminal law. Our criminal defense attorneys in Düsseldorf will represent you in court with a dedication to ensure that your rights and interests are always protected.

Theft, fraud, robbery, extortion, or property damage – German criminal law recognises a wide range of offences directed against the property or assets of others or parts thereof. The severity of the punishment depends not only on the type of offence but also on the severity and intensity of the act and the personal circumstances. It ranges from fines to prison sentences of up to fifteen years.

To avoid unnecessary stress, it is essential to know that as a defendant, you are under no obligation to make a statement to the police, the public prosecutor’s office, or the court. In such a situation, you should exercise your right to remain silent. Our defense attorneys in Düsseldorf will first obtain a comprehensive overview of the charges, the evidence, and the current status of the proceedings by reviewing the case files. We will work with you to develop a customised defense strategy.

German criminal law punishes all crimes in which a person is physically abused or harmed. The Criminal Code (StGB) provides for a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine as the legal consequence of simple bodily injury. In addition to simple bodily injury, there are also “qualified” bodily injury offences – such as aggravated bodily injury or bodily injury resulting in death.

Even if your case involves “only” simple bodily injury or attempted bodily injury, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal assistance at an early stage. In addition to the criminal penalties already mentioned, there may also be civil law consequences. For example, the injured party may be entitled to claim damages for pain and suffering in addition to compensation for damages. Schlun & Elseven provides you with competent support in criminal and civil proceedings – with comprehensive advice and dedicated representation.

Anyone suspected of possessing drugs or committing a narcotics offence is generally held accountable under German law. The severity of the charge depends, among other things, on the type of drug, the type of offence, and whether the offence was committed commercially or for personal use.

Such an accusation can significantly impact a person’s professional and private life. Many of those affected are unsettled in this situation and do not know how to behave. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney at an early stage is crucial to protect yourself and your rights in such a case effectively. Our team of attorneys is committed to ensuring your rights are protected at every stage of the proceedings and will strive to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Whether preliminary arrest, detention based on an arrest warrant, or pre-trial detention, all these measures result in deprivation of liberty and constitute significant encroachments on the fundamental rights of the affected persons. While preliminary arrest under Section 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO) can be carried out by anyone, detention – i.e., the ordering of custody – is exclusively ordered by a judge through an arrest warrant. Following the arrest, the affected person is brought before a judge, who then decides whether the arrest warrant remains in effect or is lifted. Suspension of enforcement is also possible. If the judge decides to maintain the arrest warrant, the affected person is placed in pre-trial detention.

Our legal assistance naturally includes personal care in the event of detention at JVA Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Correctional Facility) on Ulmenstraße. To ensure efficient defense, our attorneys visit detained clients regularly and develop tailored defense strategies in close consultation with you to create the most favourable starting position for proceedings at the Düsseldorf courts.

Our team ensures file access is granted as quickly as possible and carefully examines whether evidence has been secured properly. We consult with you to determine which witnesses and experts should be called upon to strengthen your legal position. Our ultimate goal is to guide you safely and decisively through the entire criminal proceedings while minimising the emotional burden on you and your family.

Preliminary Arrest (Section 127 StPO)

Anyone can carry it out when a person is caught in the act or pursued immediately after committing an offence. The arrested person must be brought before a judge without delay.

Arrest Warrant and Judicial Detention

Exclusively ordered by a judge when specific grounds for detention exist. We immediately review the legal basis of such measures and analyse whether they are lawful and whether grounds for detention exist.

Pre-Trial Detention Review and Appeals

Our criminal defense attorneys provide sound advice on the next steps, from applying for a detention review (Section 117 StPO) to filing an appeal against detention (Section 304 StPO).

Pre-Trial Detention Services:

• Regular attorney visits to detained clients,
• Strategic defense planning while in custody,
• Expedited file access and evidence review,
• Witness and expert consultation,
• Family communication coordination.

Arrests often occur at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), Germany’s third-largest airport, which serves over 25 million passengers annually. The international nature of this major aviation hub means cross-border legal issues frequently arise during arrests.The first contact with law enforcement authorities is particularly critical here – especially if there are language barriers or no immediate legal assistance is available. In such situations, there is a risk that those affected will not be informed, or only inadequately informed, about the allegations against them, their legal implications, and their procedural rights.

Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys in Düsseldorf is at your side quickly and reliably during this sensitive phase. We ensure that your rights as a defendant are protected and that you are fully informed about your options in the criminal proceedings – from the initial police interrogation to the court decisions.

Airport arrests often involve extradition agreements, international arrest warrants, or proceedings in the country of origin. Our multilingual team coordinates with legal counsel across Europe, North America, and Asia, providing seamless defense strategies for complex international cases.

Our international experience includes:

• Extradition Proceedings: Defense against European Arrest Warrants and international requests
• Interpol Cases: Red Notice removal and protection against international alerts
• Cross-Border Coordination: Managing multi-jurisdictional legal systems
• Diplomatic Relations: Embassy and consular representative coordination

In the event of an arrest, we immediately review the legal basis for the measure. We analyse whether it is lawful and whether there are any grounds for detention. Our criminal defense attorneys provide sound advice on the next steps, from applying for a review of detention (Section 117 StPO) to lodging an appeal against detention (Section 304 StPO). We will immediately take over communication with family members and consular representatives upon request.

If you are affected yourself or wish to act on behalf of a detained person, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will support you in every phase of the proceedings with legal expertise, strategic foresight, and personal commitment.

A police summons for questioning – whether from Düsseldorf Police Headquarters on Jürgensplatz or surrounding stations in the greater metropolitan area – can be extremely unsettling, especially if you do not have legal counsel. Without legal support, the necessary transparency in the questioning process cannot be guaranteed. Right at the outset, the crucial question arises regarding your right to remain silent and the possible consequences of making a statement – because everything you say can be used against you under certain circumstances. Don’t leave your rights as an accused person to chance.

Our criminal defense lawyers in Düsseldorf will be at your side at an early stage – even before you make any hasty statements. We will explain your rights to you in detail, thus creating the best possible starting position for an effective criminal defense when dealing with local law enforcement agencies. For international clients, we provide interpretation services and cultural guidance to ensure a full understanding of German legal procedures.

The same protective approach applies to searching your private and business premises and the seizure and confiscation of documents and data carriers. Do not react unprepared—seek professional advice. Our attorneys will guide you through:

• Pre-Search Rights: Understanding what authorities can and cannot do
• During Search Procedures: Ensuring proper protocols are followed
• Evidence Protection: Challenging improperly obtained evidence
• Digital Privacy: Protecting electronic data and communications

Being accused of a criminal offence regularly places a considerable legal and emotional burden on those affected. In addition to the criminal consequences, such a situation often has profound implications for personal and professional life. To counter all these dangers, an efficient and comprehensive criminal defense must look beyond the core area of criminal law.

Right from the preliminary investigation stage, our criminal defense attorneys work hard to close the case so it does not even get to the indictment stage and a public trial. Especially for public figures -particularly CEOs, board members, and supervisory board members – it is essential to avoid public criminal proceedings whenever possible to prevent negative media coverage. In such cases, swift and discreet resolution of the matter is our top priority.

If charges cannot be avoided, we will, of course, represent you in court -both in the main hearing and in any necessary appeal proceedings.

Our ultimate goal is to guide you safely and decisively through the entire criminal proceedings while reducing the emotional strain on you and your family as much as possible. Our approach includes:

• Early Intervention: Engaging at the preliminary investigation stage to prevent charges,
• Strategic Planning: Developing customised defense strategies for each case,
• Reputation Protection: Minimising public exposure and media attention,
• Complete Support: From initial consultation through appeals if necessary.