Juvenile Criminal Law – Competent Defense with Judgement and Responsibility

When young people come into conflict with the law, a great deal is at stake for everyone involved. For the young person, because criminal proceedings can be frightening, stressful, and in many cases life-altering. For the parents, who often fluctuate between worry and helplessness. And for the justice system itself, which in juvenile criminal law is not only tasked with judging, but also with educating and supporting.

As a criminal defense lawyer, I stand by adolescents, young adults, and their families in this sensitive situation. Juvenile criminal law – governed by the Youth Courts Act (Jugendgerichtsgesetz, JGG) – consciously sets different standards than adult criminal law. Its goal is not to punish, but above all to educate, protect, and provide opportunities. The aim of the proceedings is to counteract negative developments without placing a lasting burden on the individual’s future. That’s why early, competent, and empathetic defense is so important.

I support my clients from the very first moment – whether in response to a police summons, a search, a provisional arrest, or an impending court case. At this early stage, it is crucial to:

• avoid making rash statements,

• know and exercise one’s rights, and

• plan the next steps with legal certainty.

In close coordination with the family and – where appropriate – in cooperation with the Youth Welfare Office, I help shape the proceedings constructively. Juvenile criminal law offers a variety of measures focused not on punishment, but on personal development. These include in particular:

• Dismissal of proceedings with or without conditions,

• Educational measures such as community service, specific instructions, or supervised counseling,

• Social skills training or anti-violence programs,

• Victim-offender mediation,

• And – only in more serious cases – juvenile detention or youth imprisonment.

In all of this, one principle holds true: the outcome of the proceedings is not determined solely by the allegation, but also by the personal conduct, development prospects, and quality of legal representation. I understand that no young person is the same. Behind every case are personal histories, family stressors, or typical adolescent misjudgments. That’s why I take the time – for the case, for the individual, for careful and responsible defense. My goal is not only to achieve a positive outcome in the proceedings, but also to help open new paths.

What You Can Expect from Me:

• Clear, honest, and comprehensible legal advice

• Prompt action in urgent cases

• Compassionate support for young people and their parents

• Experienced representation before the police, public prosecutor, and courts

• Full commitment to a future without a criminal record

If you or your child are facing juvenile criminal proceedings, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel as early as possible. Early defense can be critical – both for the course of the proceedings and for the personal consequences.

Feel free to contact me – by phone or through the contact form. In urgent cases, I can be reached on short notice and am available as a court-appointed defense lawyer if the legal requirements are met. I am committed to ensuring that young people are not only well defended, but also heard, understood, and treated fairly.

Your inquiry will of course be handled discreetly, confidentially, and with the necessary urgency.