Übersetzung durch Neil Mussett
Translation provided by Neil Mussett
Stand: Die Übersetzung berücksichtigt die Änderung(en) des Gesetzes durch Artikel 4 des Gesetzes vom 17. Juli 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 163)
Version information: The translation includes the amendment(s) to the Act by Article 4 of the Act of 17 July 2025 (Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 163)
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(Gesetz über Ordnungswidrigkeiten – OWiG)
Full citation: Act on Regulatory Offences in the version published on 19 February 1987 (Federal Law Gazette [Bundesgesetzblatt] I p. 602), last amended by Article 4 of the Act of 17 July 2025 (Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 163)
CHAPTER ONE
SCOPE OF APPLICATION
(1) A regulatory offence is an unlawful, reprehensible act constituting the factual elements set forth in a statute that enables the act to be sanctioned by imposition of a regulatory fine.
(2) An act that is subject to a regulatory fine is deemed to be an unlawful act which constitutes the factual elements set forth in a statute within the meaning of subsection (1), even if it is not committed in a reprehensible manner.
Section 2
Substantive application
The present Act applies to regulatory offences in accordance with Federal law and to Land law.
Section 3
No sanctioning without a law
An act may only be sanctioned as a regulatory offence if the possibility to impose a sanction was determined by statute before the act was committed.
(1) The regulatory fine is governed by the statute that is applicable at the time of the act.
(2) If the regulatory fine imposable is modified during commission of the act, the statute in force at the time of completion of the act applies.
(3) If the statute in force at the time of completion of the act is amended prior to the decision, the most lenient statute applies.
(4) A statute which is to apply for a certain period of time only applies to acts committed while it is in force, even if it is no longer in force. This does not apply if there is other statutory provision to the contrary.
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply accordingly to incidental consequences of a regulatory offence.
Section 5
Territorial application
Unless otherwise provided by statute, only those regulatory offences may be sanctioned that are committed within the territorial scope of the present Act, or outside thereof on board a vessel or aircraft authorised to fly the Federal flag or to bear the nationality sign of the Federal Republic of Germany.
An act is deemed to have been committed at the time at which the perpetrator acted or, in the event of an omission, ought to have acted. The time when the result occurs is not decisive.
(1) An act is deemed to have been committed at any place where the perpetrator acted or, in the event of an omission, ought to have acted, or where the success as part of the factual elements of the offence has occurred or should have occurred as foreseen by the perpetrator.
(2) The act of a participant is also deemed to have been committed at the place where the factual elements have been fulfilled, being the elements set forth in the statute that enables the act to be sanctioned by imposition of a regulatory fine, or ought to have been fulfilled as foreseen by that participant.
CHAPTER TWO
BASIS FOR SANCTIONING
Section 8
Commission of an act by omission
Whoever omits to avert a result, being part of the factual elements of a regulatory fining provision, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence in accordance with this provision only if he or she is legally responsible for averting the result and if the omission is tantamount to fulfilment of the factual elements by an act.
1. as an entity authorised to represent a legal person or as a member of such an entity,
2. as a partner authorised to represent a commercial partnership, or
3. as a statutory representative of another,
then a statute in accordance with which special personal attributes, relationships or circumstances (specific personal characteristics) form the basis of sanctioning also applies to the representative if these characteristics do not indeed pertain to him or her, but to the person represented.
(2) If the owner of a business or someone otherwise so authorised
1. commissions a person to manage a business, in whole or in part, or
2. expressly commissions a person to perform on his or her own responsibility duties which are incumbent on the owner of the business,
and if this person acts on the basis of this commission, then a statute in accordance with which specific personal characteristics form the basis of sanctioning also applies to the person commissioned if these characteristics do not indeed pertain to him or her, but to the owner of the business. Within the meaning of sentence 1, an enterprise is the equivalent of a business. If someone acts on the basis of a corresponding commission for an agency which performs duties of public administration, then sentence 1 applies accordingly.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) also apply if the legal act which was intended to form the basis of the power of representation or the agency is void.
Section 10
Intent and negligence
If the law does not expressly impose a regulatory fine on negligent acts, then only intentional acts may be sanctioned as regulatory offences.
(1) Whoever, at the time the act is committed, is ignorant of a circumstance that is a factual element of the act, is not deemed to have acted with intent. The possibility of sanctioning for negligent acts remains unaffected.
(2) If the perpetrator, at the time the act is committed, is incapable of understanding its wrongfulness because he or she is ignorant of the existence or applicability of a legal provision, he or she is not deemed to have acted reprehensibly if he or she was unable to avoid this error.
(1) Whoever is under fourteen years of age upon commission of the act is not deemed to have acted reprehensibly. A juvenile is deemed to have acted reprehensibly only under the prerequisites of section 3 sentence 1 of the Youth Courts Act.
(2) Whoever is incapable upon commission of the act of appreciating the fact that the act was unauthorised or of acting in accordance with such appreciation due to a pathological emotional disorder, profound cognitive disorder, an impairment of intelligence, or any other serious emotional disturbance, is not considered to have acted reprehensibly.
(1) Whoever, in accordance with his or her understanding of the act, takes a direct step towards the realisation of the factual elements of the offence, is deemed to have attempted a regulatory offence.
(2) The attempt may be sanctioned only if expressly provided by law.
(3) If the perpetrator voluntarily renounces further execution of the act, or prevents its completion, he or she is not sanctioned for an attempt. If the act will not be completed without the contribution of the abandoning party, his or her voluntary and earnest efforts to prevent its completion are sufficient.
(4) If more than one person participates in the act, the person who voluntarily prevents its completion is not sanctioned for an attempt. His or her voluntary and earnest efforts to prevent the completion of the act are however sufficient if the act is not completed without his or her contribution, or is committed independently of his or her earlier participation.
(1) If several persons participate in a regulatory offence, each of them is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence. This also applies if specific personal characteristics (section 9 (1)) giving rise to the possibility to impose a sanction pertain only to one participant.
(2) Participation may be sanctioned only if the factual elements of an act set forth in a statute enabling imposition of a regulatory fine are unlawfully fulfilled, or if in cases where an attempt may also be sanctioned, the attempt has at least been made.
(3) If one of the participants does not act reprehensibly, this does not mean that sanctioning of the others is precluded. If the statute provides that specific personal characteristics preclude sanctioning, this only applies to a participant who displays such characteristics.
(4) If the statute provides that an act which would otherwise be a regulatory offence is a criminal offence in view of specific personal characteristics of the perpetrator, this only applies to a participant who displays such characteristics.
(1) Whoever commits an act, required as necessary defence, is not deemed to have acted unlawfully.
(2) Necessary defence is the defence which is required to avert an imminent unlawful assault from oneself or another.
(3) If the perpetrator exceeds the limits of necessary defence due to confusion, fear or fright, then the act is not sanctioned.
Section 16
Necessity as justification
Whoever, faced with an imminent danger to life, limb, freedom, honour, property or another legal interest which cannot otherwise be averted, commits an act to avert the danger from himself or herself or another, is not deemed to have acted unlawfully if, upon weighing the conflicting interests, in particular the affected legal interests and the degree of danger threatening them, the protected interest substantially outweighs the interest that has been placed at a disadvantage. This however applies only to the extent that the act is an appropriate means to avert the danger.
Section 17
Amount of regulatory fine
(1) The amount of the regulatory fine is not less than five euros, and does not exceed one thousand euros, unless otherwise provided by statute.
(2) If the law threatens to impose a regulatory fine for intentional and negligent action without distinction as to the maximum regulatory fine, the maximum sanction for a negligent action does not exceed half of the maximum regulatory fine imposable.
(3) The significance of the regulatory offence and the charge faced by the perpetrator forms the basis for the assessment of the regulatory fine. The perpetrator's financial circumstances are also taken into account; they however are disregarded as a rule in cases involving negligible regulatory offences.
(4) The regulatory fine exceeds the financial benefit that the perpetrator has obtained from commission of the regulatory offence. If the statutory maximum does not suffice for that purpose, it may be exceeded.
Section 18
Easier means of payment
If the person concerned cannot be expected to pay the regulatory fine immediately due to financial circumstances, he or she is granted a payment deadline or allowed to pay in specified instalments. It may also be ordered in doing so that the privilege of paying the fine in fixed instalments be withdrawn if the person concerned fails to pay an instalment in time.
CHAPTER FOUR
CONCURRENCE OF STATUTORY VIOLATIONS
Section 19
Act constituting more than one violation
(1) If the same act violates more than one statute in accordance with which it may be sanctioned as a regulatory offence, or violates such legal provision repeatedly, then only one regulatory fine is assessed.
(2) If more than one statute has been violated, then the regulatory fine is assessed in accordance with the statute that provides for the highest regulatory fine. Incidental consequences provided for in the other statute may be imposed.
Section 20
Commission of more than one violation
If more than one regulatory fine has been imposed, each one is assessed separately.
Section 21
Concurrence of criminal offence and regulatory offence
(1) If an act is at the same time a criminal offence and a regulatory offence, only criminal law applies. The incidental consequences provided for in the other statute may be imposed.
(2) In cases arising under subsection (1), the act may however be sanctioned as a regulatory offence if no criminal penalty is imposed.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONFISCATION OF OBJECTS
Section 22
Confiscation of objects
(1) Objects may only be confiscated as an incidental consequence of a regulatory offence if expressly permitted by statute.
(2) Confiscation is only permissible if
1. the objects belong to the perpetrator at the time of the decision, or he or she is entitled to them, or
2. the objects, due to their nature and the circumstances, constitute a danger to the public, or there is a risk that they will serve the commission of acts subject to a criminal penalty or to a regulatory fine.
(3) Under the prerequisites of subsection (2) number 2, the confiscation of the objects is also permitted if the perpetrator has not acted reprehensibly.
Section 23
Extended prerequisites for confiscation
If the law refers to this provision, then the objects may also be confiscated, in derogation from section 22 (2) number 1 if, at the time of the decision, the person owning or entitled to them
1. has at least recklessly contributed to the object or the right thereto having been the object or instrumentality of the act, or of its preparation, or
2. has acquired the objects in a reprehensible manner with knowledge of the circumstances which would have permitted their confiscation.
Section 24
Principle of proportionality
(1) Confiscation may not be ordered in cases falling under sections 22 (2) numbers 1 and 23 if it is disproportionate to the significance of the act committed or to the reproach attaching to the perpetrator or the third party in cases falling under section 23 affected by the confiscation.
(2) In cases under sections 22 and 23, it is ordered that the confiscation be reserved, and a less incisive measure imposed, if the objective of the confiscation can also be attained thereby. Particular consideration is given to instructions
1. to render the objects unusable,
2. to remove particular fittings or distinguishing marks or otherwise modify the objects, or
3. to deal with the objects in a specified manner.
If the instructions are followed, the reservation on confiscation is lifted; otherwise the court subsequently orders the confiscation.
(3) Confiscation may be limited to a part of the objects.
Section 25
Confiscation of replacement value
(1) If, prior to the ordering of confiscation, the perpetrator has used, particularly through alienation or consumption, the object which he or she owned or to which he or she was entitled at the time of the act, and in respect of which confiscation could have been ordered, or if he or she has otherwise obstructed the confiscation of the object, then the confiscation from the perpetrator of a sum of money may be ordered no greater than an amount equivalent to the value of the object.
(2) Collateral to the confiscation of an object, or in place thereof, such an order, may also be issued if the perpetrator has, prior to the ordering of confiscation, encumbered it with the right of a third party the extinguishment of which cannot be ordered without compensation, or could not be ordered in the case of confiscation (sections 26 (2) and 28); if the order is issued collateral to the confiscation, then the amount of the replacement value is measured according to the value of the encumbrance on the object.
(3) The value of the object and the encumbrance may be estimated.
(4) If the order to confiscate an object cannot be executed, or is insufficient because, subsequent to issuance of the order, one of the prerequisites designated in subsection (1) or (2) has occurred or become known, confiscation of the substitute value may be subsequently ordered.
(5) Section 18 applies to approval of facilitation of payment.
Section 26
Effect of confiscation
(1) If an object is confiscated, then ownership of the property, or of the right confiscated, passes to the state when the decision becomes final, or insofar as provided by law it is conferred to the corporation or institution under public law whose agency or office has ordered the confiscation.
(2) Rights of third persons in the object remain unaffected. The forfeiture of these rights is however ordered if the confiscation is based on the fact that the prerequisites of section 22 (2) number 2 are met. The forfeiture of the right of a third person may also be ordered if this person cannot be granted compensation in accordance with section 28 (2) number 1 or 2.
(3) Prior to its becoming valid, the order of confiscation has the effect of a prohibition to alienate within the meaning of section 136 of the Civil Code; the prohibition also comprises orders other than alienation. The order reserving confiscation has the same effect even if it has no current legal force.
Section 27
Order in its own right
(1) If no particular person can be prosecuted for the regulatory offence on factual grounds, nor a regulatory fine be imposed on a particular person, the confiscation of the object, or of its substitute value, may be ordered in its own right if the prerequisites permitting such measure are fulfilled in all other cases.
(2) Subsection (1) also applies subject to section 22 (2) number 2, or subsection (3), if
1. prosecution of the regulatory offence is barred by the period of limitation, or
2. otherwise for legal reasons no particular person can be prosecuted,
and no statute provides otherwise.
Confiscation may not however be ordered in the absence of a request or authorisation.
(3) Subsection (1) also applies if, in accordance with section 47, the prosecuting authority refrains from prosecuting the regulatory offence, or if the court stays the proceedings.
(1) If a third party had a claim of ownership in the property or the confiscated right at the time the decision on confiscation became final, or if the object was encumbered by a right of a third party which was extinguished or placed at a detriment by the decision, then the third party is appropriately compensated in money, taking into consideration the fair market value. The State or corporation, or institution under public law to which ownership of the object or the forfeited right has been transferred, is obliged to pay such compensation.
(2) Compensation is not granted if
1. the third party has at least recklessly contributed to the property or the right thereto having been the object or instrumentality of the act or of its preparation,
2. the third party has acquired the object, or the right in the object, in a reprehensible manner with knowledge of the circumstances which permit its confiscation, or
3. it would be permissible, under the circumstances which justified the confiscation, to confiscate the object from the third party permanently and without compensation on the basis of legal provisions outside of the law concerning regulatory offences.
(3) In cases under subsection (2), compensation may be granted to the extent that its refusal would constitute an undue hardship.
Section 29
Special provision for entities and representatives
(1) If someone has committed an act:
1. as an entity authorised to represent a legal person, or as a member of such an entity,
2. as chairman of the executive committee of an association without legal capacity or as a member of such committee,
3. as a partner authorised to represent a commercial partnership, or
4. as an authorised representative with full power of attorney, or in a managerial position as holder of general commercial power of representation, or an authorised representative with a commercial power of attorney of a legal person or of an association of persons named in numbers 2 or 3, or
5. as another person acting with responsibility for managing the operation or enterprise of a legal person or of an association of persons named in numbers 2 or 3, also including monitoring the management or otherwise exercising monitoring activities in a managerial position which, in relation to him or her and under the other prerequisites of sections 22 to 25 and 28, would permit the confiscation of an object or of its replacement value, or justify the exclusion of compensation, then his or her act is attributed by application of these provisions to the person represented.
(2) Section 9 (3) applies accordingly.
CHAPTER SIX
CONFISCATION OF THE VALUE OF THE PROCEEDS OF AN OFFENCE;
REGULATORY FINE IMPOSED ON LEGAL PERSONS
AND ASSOCIATIONS OF PERSONS
Section 29a
Confiscation of the value of the proceeds of an offence
(1) If the perpetrator has gained something by means of or for an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, and if a regulatory fine has not been assessed against him or her for the act, then the confiscation of a sum up to the amount of the pecuniary advantage gained may be ordered.
(2) The ordering of the confiscation of a sum up to the amount stated in subsection (1) may be directed against another party who is not the offender if
1. he or she has obtained something by means of an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, and the offender acted for him or her,
a) was transferred to him or her free of charge or without lawful reason, or
b) was transferred, and he or she recognised, or should have recognised, that what has been acquired originates from an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, or
a) has passed to him or her as an inheritance, or
b) was transferred to him or her as a person entitled to a compulsory portion or a legatee.
Sentence 1 numbers 2 and 3 do not apply if what has been acquired was previously transferred to a third party who did not recognise, or could not be expected to recognise, that what has been acquired originates from an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, for a fee and with a lawful reason.
(3) The expenditure of the offender or of the third party is deducted when determining the value of what has been acquired. What was expended or used for the commission of the offence or its preparation is however not allowed.
(4) The extent and value of what has been acquired, including the deductible expenditure, may be estimated. Section 18 applies accordingly.
(5) If no regulatory fining proceedings are initiated against the perpetrator, or if they are discontinued, confiscation may be ordered in its own right.
Section 30
Regulatory fine imposed on legal persons and on associations of persons
1. as an entity authorised to represent a legal person, or as a member of such entity,
2. as chairman of the executive committee of an association without legal capacity, or as a member of such committee,
3. as a partner authorised to represent a partnership with legal capacity, or
4. as the authorised representative with full power of attorney, or in a managerial position as holder of general commercial power of representation, or the authorised representative with a commercial power of attorney of a legal person or of an association of persons referred to in numbers 2 or 3,
5. as another person responsible on behalf of the management of the operation or enterprise forming part of a legal person, or of an association of persons referred to in numbers 2 or 3, also covering supervision of the conduct of business or other exercise of controlling powers in a managerial position,
has committed a criminal offence or a regulatory offence as a result of which duties incumbent on the legal person or on the association of persons have been violated, or where the legal person or the association of persons has been enriched or was intended to be enriched, a regulatory fine may be imposed on such person or association.
(2) The regulatory fine amounts
1. in the case of a criminal offence committed with intent, to not more than ten million euros,
2. in the case of a criminal offence committed negligently, to not more than five million euros.
Where there has been commission of a regulatory offence, the maximum regulatory fine that can be imposed is determined by the maximum regulatory fine imposable for the regulatory offence concerned. If the Act refers to this provision, the maximum amount of the regulatory fine in accordance with sentence 2 is multiplied by ten for the offences referred to in the Act. Sentence 2 also applies where there has been commission of an act simultaneously constituting a criminal offence and a regulatory offence, provided that the maximum regulatory fine imposable for the regulatory offence exceeds the maximum in accordance with sentence 1.
(2a) In the event of a universal succession or of a partial universal succession by means of splitting (section 123 (1) of the Reorganisation Act [Umwandlungsgesetz]), the regulatory fine in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) may be imposed on the legal successor(s). In such cases, the regulatory fine may not exceed the value of the assets which have been assumed, as well as the amount of the regulatory fine which is suitable against the legal predecessor. The legal successor(s) take(s) up the procedural position in the regulatory fine proceedings in which the legal predecessor was at the time when the legal succession became effective.
(3) Section 17 (4) and section 18 apply accordingly.
(4) If criminal proceedings or regulatory fining proceedings are not commenced on account of the criminal offence or of the regulatory offence, or if such proceedings are discontinued, or if imposition of a criminal penalty is dispensed with, the regulatory fine may be assessed independently. Statutory provision may be made to the effect that a regulatory fine may be imposed in its own right in further cases as well. Independent assessment of a regulatory fine against the legal person or association of persons is however precluded where there are legal reasons precluding prosecution of the criminal or regulatory offence; section 33 (1) sentence 2 remains unaffected.
(5) Assessment of a regulatory fine incurred by the legal person or association of persons, in respect of one and the same offence, precludes a confiscation order, in accordance with sections 73 or 73c of the Criminal Code, or in accordance with section 29a, against such person or association of persons.
(6) On issuance of a regulatory fining notice, in order to secure the regulatory fine, section 111e (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies on proviso that the judgment is substituted by the regulatory fining notice.
CHAPTER SEVEN
STATUTE OF LIMITATION
Section 31
Prosecution barred by the statute of limitation
(1) Prosecution of regulatory offences and the ordering of incidental consequences is barred after the period of limitation has expired. Section 27 (2) sentence 1 number 1 remains unaffected.
(2) If not otherwise provided by statute, the period of limitation for the prosecution of regulatory offences expires:
1. after three years in the case of regulatory offences for which a maximum regulatory fine of more than fifteen thousand euros may be imposed,
2. after two years in the case of regulatory offences for which a maximum regulatory fine is imposable ranging from more than two thousand five hundred to fifteen thousand euros,
3. after one year in the case of regulatory offences for which a maximum regulatory fine is imposable ranging from more than one thousand euros to two thousand five hundred euros,
4. after six months in all other cases involving regulatory offences.
(3) The statute of limitation begins to run as soon as the act is completed. If a result constituting a factual element of the offence occurs only later, the period of limitation begins to run at that time.
Section 32
Period of limitation tolled by statute
(1) The period of limitation is tolled for as long as prosecution cannot be commenced or continued by operation of the statute. This does not apply if the act cannot be prosecuted due to the absence of a request or authorisation.
(2) If, prior to the expiry of the period of limitation, a judgment of the court of first instance, or a decision in accordance with section 72, has been rendered, the period of limitation does not expire prior to the date on which the proceedings were concluded with final and binding effect.
Section 33
Period of limitation interrupted
(1) The period of limitation is interrupted by
1. the initial examination of the person concerned, the notification that investigation proceedings have been initiated against him or her, or by the order requiring such examination or notification,
2. any judicial examination of the person concerned, or of a witness, or by the order requiring such examination,
3. any appointment of an expert by the prosecuting authority or the judge, if the person concerned has previously been examined or was informed of the initiation of the investigation proceedings,
4. any order by the prosecuting authority or by the judge for seizure or search, and by judicial decisions by which such order is upheld,
5. the temporary discontinuation of the proceedings by the prosecuting authority or the judge because of absence of the person concerned, as well as by any order of the prosecuting authority or the judge issued after such discontinuation of the proceedings to establish the whereabouts of the person concerned or to secure evidence,
6. any request by the prosecuting authority or the judge to undertake an investigatory act in a foreign country,
7. the statutory hearing of another authority by the prosecuting authority prior to conclusion of the investigations,
8. the transfer of the case to the administrative authority by the public prosecution office in accordance with section 43,
9. issuance of a regulatory fining notice, insofar as such notice is served within two weeks, otherwise by service thereof,
10. receipt of the files at the local court in accordance with section 69 (3) sentence 1 and subsection (5) sentence 2, and referral of the case to the administrative authority in accordance with section 69 (5) sentence 1,
11. any fixing of a date for a main hearing,
12. reference to the possibility of rendering a decision without a main hearing (section 72 (1) sentence 2),
13. preferring public charges,
15. a penal order or any other decision equivalent to a judgment.
The period of limitation in independent proceedings involving an order imposing an incidental consequence or a regulatory fine against a legal person or an association of persons is interrupted by the acts referred to in sentence 1 for the purpose of carrying out independent proceedings.
(2) The running of the statute of limitations is interrupted by a written order or decision at the time at which the order or decision is drawn up. If the document has not immediately commenced processing after being drawn up, then the time when it is actually submitted for processing is decisive.
(3) After each interruption, the statute of limitations starts running anew. Prosecution is however barred by the statute of limitations at the latest either when, since the time indicated in section 31 (3), twice the statutory period of limitations has elapsed, or when at least two years have elapsed. If a person is charged with an act in proceedings pending at a court which simultaneously constitutes a criminal offence and a regulatory offence, then the period ensuing from the criminal penalty imposable is deemed to be the statutory period of limitations within the meaning of sentence 2. Section 32 remains unaffected.
(4) The interruption is only effective in respect of the person to whom the act relates. In cases falling under subsection (1) sentence 1 numbers 1 to 7, 11, and 13 to 15, the interruption also occurs if the act is aimed at prosecution of the offence as a criminal offence.
Section 34
Execution subject to the statute of limitations
(1) A regulatory fine imposed with final and binding effect may no longer be executed after expiry of the period of limitation.
(2) The period of limitation amounts to
1. five years in the case of a regulatory fine exceeding one thousand euros;
2. three years in the case of a regulatory fine not exceeding one thousand euros.
(3) The period of limitation begins on the day on which the decision enters into final and binding effect.
(4) The statute of limitation is tolled for as long as
1. execution may not be commenced or continued by operation of statute,
3. easier means of payment have been granted.
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply accordingly to incidental consequences resulting in an obligation to pay. If such incidental consequences have been ordered in addition to a regulatory fine, execution of one legal consequence does not fall under the statute of limitation earlier than that of the others.
PART II
REGULATORY FINING PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER ONE
JURISDICTION CONCERNING PROSECUTION AND
SANCTIONING OF REGULATORY OFFENCES
Section 35
Prosecution and sanctioning by the administrative authority
(1) The administrative authority has jurisdiction over the prosecution of regulatory offences unless, in accordance with the present Act, the public prosecution office has such jurisdiction or, in its place, the judge in respect of specific acts of prosecution.
(2) The administrative authority also has jurisdiction to sanction regulatory offences unless the court has such jurisdiction in accordance with the present Act.
Section 36
Substantive jurisdiction of the administrative authority
(1) Substantive jurisdiction lies with
1. the administrative authority designated by statute,
2. in the absence of such designation
a) the highest substantively competent Land authority, or
b) the substantively competent Federal Ministry insofar as the law is implemented by Federal authorities.
(2) The Land government may, by means of a statutory instrument, delegate jurisdiction in accordance with subsection (1) number 2a to another authority or agency. The Land government may delegate the authorisation to the highest Land authority.
(3) The Federal Ministry competent in accordance with subsection (1) number 2b may delegate its jurisdiction to another authority or agency by means of a statutory instrument that does not require the approval of the Bundesrat.
Section 37
Local jurisdiction of the administrative authority
(1) Local jurisdiction lies with the administrative authority in whose district
1. the regulatory offence was committed or discovered, or
2. the person concerned has his or her domicile at the time the regulatory fining proceedings are initiated.
(2) If the domicile of the person concerned changes after the regulatory fining proceedings have been initiated, the administrative authority in whose district the new domicile is located also has local jurisdiction.
(3) If the person concerned has no domicile within the territorial scope of the present Act, jurisdiction is also determined by the habitual place of residence.
(4) If the regulatory offence was committed outside the territorial scope of the present Act, on board a vessel authorised to fly the Federal flag, the administrative authority also has local jurisdiction in whose district the home port is located, or the port within the territorial scope of the present Act first reached by the vessel after commission of the offence. Sentence 1 applies accordingly to aircraft authorised to bear the nationality sign of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Section 38
Connected regulatory offences
Connected regulatory offences which, in accordance with section 37, would individually be under the jurisdiction of different administrative authorities, fall under the jurisdiction of each of these administrative authorities. A connection between several regulatory offences is deemed to exist if a person is charged with more than one regulatory offence or if, with regard to the same offence, more than one person is accused of a regulatory offence.
Section 39
Jurisdiction of more than one authority
(1) If more than one administrative authority has jurisdiction in accordance with sections 36 to 38, preference is given to the administrative authority which first examined the person concerned on account of the offence, or which first caused the police to examine him or her, or which first received the files from the police after examination of the person concerned. This administrative authority may, in the cases under section 38, sever the proceedings again in respect of the connected offence.
(2) In the cases under subsection (1) sentence 1, however, prosecution and sanctioning may be transferred to one of the other competent administrative authorities by virtue of an agreement between these administrative authorities, if this appears to be expedient in order to accelerate or simplify the proceedings, or for other reasons. If more than one administrative authority has substantive jurisdiction, the administrative authority which is to be given preference in accordance with subsection (1) sentence 1 hears the other administrative authorities that have substantive jurisdiction, at the latest prior to conclusion of the investigations.
(3) In the absence of agreement in accordance with subsection (2) sentence 1, a decision is rendered, at the request of one of the administrative authorities involved, by
1. the common directly superior administrative authority,
2. the common court having jurisdiction in accordance with section 68, in the absence of a common superior administrative authority, and
3. the common superior court for the different courts that would have jurisdiction in accordance with section 68.
(4) The transfer may be revoked in the same way in cases falling under subsections (2) and (3).
Section 40
Prosecution by the public prosecution office
The public prosecution office is also competent in criminal proceedings to prosecute the offence within the legal dimension of a regulatory offence, unless otherwise provided by statute.
Section 41
Transfer of the case to the public prosecution office
(1) The administrative authority transfers the case to the public prosecution office if there are indications to the effect that the offence constitutes a criminal offence.
(2) If the public prosecution dispenses with initiating criminal proceedings it remits the case back to the administrative authority.
Section 42
The public prosecution office taking over the case
(1) If the public prosecution office prosecutes a criminal offence connected with the regulatory offence, it may take over prosecution of the regulatory offence until the regulatory fining notice is issued. There is a connection between a criminal offence and a regulatory offence if a person is accused of a criminal offence as well as of a regulatory offence, or if one person is accused of a criminal offence and another person of a regulatory offence, with regard to the same offence.
(2) The public prosecution office takes over prosecution only for the purpose of accelerating the proceedings, or on account of the factual connection, or if for other reasons it is deemed appropriate for the investigations or for the decision.
Section 43
Transfer of the case to the administrative authority
(1) In cases under section 40, if the public prosecution office discontinues the proceedings only in respect of the criminal offence, or in the cases under section 42, if prosecution is not taken over but there are indications to the effect that the offence may be prosecuted as a regulatory offence, it transfers the case to the administrative authority.
(2) If the public prosecution office has taken over prosecution, it may transfer the case to the administrative authority as long as the proceedings are not yet pending before the court; it must transfer the case if the proceedings are terminated only in respect of the criminal offence.
Section 44
Binding effect for the administrative authority
The administrative authority is bound by the decision of the public prosecution office as to whether or not an offence is to be prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Section 45
Jurisdiction of the court
If the public prosecution office prosecutes the regulatory offence together with a connected criminal offence, the court which has jurisdiction over the criminal case is competent for sanctioning the regulatory offence.
CHAPTER TWO
GENERAL PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS
Section 46
Application of the provisions regarding criminal proceedings
(1) Unless otherwise provided by the present Act, the provisions of general statutes concerning criminal proceedings, particularly those of the Code of Criminal Procedure, of the Courts Constitution Act and of the Youth Courts Act, apply to the regulatory fining proceedings accordingly.
(2) Unless otherwise provided by the present Act, the prosecuting authority has the same rights and obligations in the regulatory fining proceedings as the public prosecution office when prosecuting criminal offences.
(3) Committal to an institution, apprehension, and provisional detention, confiscation of postal items and telegrams, as well as requests for information regarding matters that are subject to post and telecommunications secrecy, are not permissible. Section 160 (3) sentence 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure concerning the court assistance agency does not apply. Proceedings to compel public charges do not take place. The provisions concerning participation of the aggrieved person in the proceedings, and on the national register of proceedings conducted by the public prosecution offices, do not apply; this does not apply to section 406e of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
(4) Section 81a (1) sentence 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies with the restriction that only the taking of blood samples and other minor interventions are permissible. In derogation from section 81a (2) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the taking of a blood sample does not require a court order if specific facts justify the suspicion that a regulatory offence has been committed
1. in accordance with sections 24a and 24c of the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz), or
2. in accordance with section 7 (1) of the Act on Tasks in Inland Waterways (Binnenschifffahrtsaufgabengesetz), in conjunction with a provision contained in a statutory instrument issued on the basis of section 3 (1) sentence 1 number 1 of the Act on Tasks in Inland Waterways, insofar as such provision regulates behaviour in traffic within the meaning of section 3 (1) sentence 1 number 1 (a) (aa) of the Act on Tasks in Inland Waterways.
Blood samples and other body cells taken in criminal proceedings, the taking of which would have been permissible in regulatory fining proceedings in accordance with sentence 1, may be used. Use of blood samples and other body cells for the purpose of conducting an examination within the meaning of section 81e of the Code of Criminal Procedure is inadmissible.
(4a) Section 100j (1) sentence 1 number 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, also in conjunction with section 100j (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, applies with the restriction that the collection of subscriber information is only permissible in order to prosecute regulatory offences on which regulatory fines of a maximum of more than fifteen thousand euros are imposable on natural persons.
(5) The order to bring the person concerned, and any witness who fails to comply with a summons, before the prosecuting authority is only made by the judge. Detention ordered to force the witness to testify (section 70 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure) may not exceed six weeks.
(6) In proceedings against juveniles and adolescents, recourse to the services of the youth court assistance agency (section 38 of the Youth Courts Act) may be dispensed with if their participation is not necessary for the proper conduct of the proceedings.
(7) In court proceedings, the decision is given by divisions for regulatory fining matters at the local court, by chambers for regulatory fining matters at the regional court, and by panels for regulatory fining matters at the higher regional court, as well as at the Federal Court of Justice.
(8) The provisions relating to the implementation of section 191a (1) sentences 1 to 4 of the Courts Constitution Act in the regulatory fining proceedings are determined in the statutory instrument in accordance with section 191a (2) of the Courts Constitution Act.
Section 47
Prosecution of regulatory offences
(1) The prosecution of regulatory offences is within the duty-bound discretion of the prosecuting authority. As long as the proceedings are pending before the prosecuting authority, they may be terminated by such authority.
(2) If proceedings are pending before the court, and if sanctioning is not deemed appropriate by the court, it may, with the consent of the public prosecution office, discontinue the proceedings at any stage. Such consent is not required where a regulatory fine of up to one hundred euros has been imposed in a regulatory fining notice, and the public prosecution office has declared that it will not attend the main hearing. The decision is incontestable.
(3) Discontinuation of the proceedings is not made to depend on, or relate to, payment of a sum of money to a non-profit-making institution or other agency.
Section 49
Inspection of the files by the person concerned and by the administrative authority
(1) The administrative authority grants the person concerned on request inspection of the files insofar as the purpose of the investigation, including in a different set of criminal or regulatory fining proceedings, cannot be endangered, and no third persons have opposing and overriding interests that are worthy of protection. In the event that the files are not kept in electronic form, copies from the files may be provided in place of the inspection of the files.
(2) Where the public prosecution office is the prosecuting authority, the administrative authority that would otherwise have jurisdiction is entitled to inspect the files which have been submitted to the court, or which would have to be submitted in court proceedings, as well as to inspect secured and seized items. Upon application, files which are kept in paper form are sent to the administrative authority for inspection.
Section 49a
Ex officio transmission encompassing several sets of proceedings
(1) Courts, public prosecution offices and administrative authorities may transmit personal data from regulatory fining matters to the competent authorities and courts ex officio if, in the view of the transmitting agency, this is required for
1. the prosecution of criminal offences or of other regulatory offences,
2. decisions in other regulatory fining matters, including decisions relating to the execution of regulatory fining decisions or in pardoning matters, or
3. other decisions or measures in accordance with section 477 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure;
The same applies to the authorities of the police service insofar as this is permitted by corresponding application of section 480 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Sections 478, 479 subsections (1), (2) and (4) sentence 1, as well as subsection (5), and section 480 subsections (1) and (2), of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly.
(2) Transmission is also admissible if there are special circumstances in an individual case requiring transmission for the purposes referred to in section 14 (1) numbers 4 to 9 of the Introductory Act to the Courts Constitution Act in conjunction with corresponding application of subsection (2) sentences 2 and 4 of that provision.
(3) There is no transmission in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) insofar as it is apparent to the transmitting agency that the person concerned has overriding interests that are worthy of protection in excluding transmission.
(4) The following additional provisions apply accordingly to transmission by administrative authorities:
1. sections 12, 13, 16, 17 numbers 2 to 5 and 18 to 21 of the Introductory Act to the Courts Constitution Act, and
2. section 22 of the Introductory Act to the Courts Constitution Act, provided that the procedure in accordance with section 62 (1) sentence 1 and subsection (2) takes the place of the procedure in accordance with sections 23 to 30 of that Act, and that the court referred to in section 68 takes the place of the court referred to in section 25 of the Introductory Act to the Courts Constitution Act.
In addition, the authority with jurisdiction over the regulatory fining proceedings may transmit the decision concluding such proceedings to the administrative authority that initiated the regulatory fining proceedings or otherwise participated in such proceedings, if in the view of the transmitting agency such transmission is necessary for the purpose of exercising a function within the responsibility of the recipient and relating to the subject-matter of the proceedings; where the decision has dismissed an appellate remedy, the contested decision may also be transmitted. The Federal Ministry responsible for regulatory fining provisions under Federal law may, in this respect, and with the consent of the Federal Council, issue general administrative regulations within the meaning of section 12 (5) of the Introductory Act to the Courts Constitution Act.
(5) Furthermore, section 481 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies accordingly. Transmission in accordance with sections 481 (1) sentence 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is dispensed with subject to subsection (3). Only subsection (1) of section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies accordingly, whereby the additional transmission of the file reference to another administrative authority which has given rise to the regulatory fining proceedings or otherwise participated in the proceedings is effected.
Section 49b
Transmission encompassing several sets of proceedings in response to requests; other use of data for purposes encompassing several sets of proceedings
Sections 474 to 476, 478 to 481, and 498 (2), of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly to the issuance of information and granting of inspection of files in response to requests, as well as to other use of data from regulatory fining proceedings for purposes encompassing several sets of proceedings, where
1. in section 474 (2) sentence 1 number 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the criminal offence is replaced by the regulatory offence,
2. in section 474 (2) sentence 1 numbers 2 and 3, and section 481, of the Code of Criminal Procedure, special provisions relating to the transmission or use of personal information from criminal proceedings are replaced by those on the transmission or use of personal data from regulatory fining proceedings,
3. in section 479 (1) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the purposes of the criminal proceedings are replaced by the purposes of the regulatory fining proceedings,
4. in section 479 subsection (3) number 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the period of two years is replaced by a period of one year, and
5. section 480 (3) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is to be applied on proviso that, for the transmission by administrative authorities, the court designated in section 68 rules on the application for a court ruling in proceedings in accordance with section 62 (1) sentence 1 and subsection (2).
Section 49c
Arrangements relating to files
(1) For the processing and use of personal data in files, subject to section 496 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and to special provisions in other statues, the provisions of the Second Chapter of the Eighth Book of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly, subject to the provisions below.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), storage, alteration and use may only be effected by courts, public prosecution offices and administrative authorities, including execution authorities, as well as the authorities of the police service, where this is permissible in accordance with sections 483, 484 (1) and section 485 of the Code of Criminal Procedure; here, the purposes of the criminal proceedings are replaced by the purposes of the regulatory fining proceedings. Personal data from regulatory fining proceedings may also be used where they are required for purposes of criminal proceedings, pardoning proceedings, or international mutual legal and administrative assistance in criminal and regulatory fining matters. The storage of personal data of persons who were not of criminally responsible age at the time of the offence is not permissible for purposes of future regulatory fining proceedings.
(3) The creation of a joint automated file in accordance with section 486 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the agencies named in subsection (2) belonging to the subordinate authorities of various Federal or Land Ministries is only permissible if it is required for properly carrying out tasks and taking account of the interests of the persons concerned that are worthy of protection.
(4) Section 487 (1) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies subject to the proviso that the data stored in accordance with subsections (1) to (3) may be transmitted to the competent agencies only for the purposes named in subsection (2); section 49a (3) applies accordingly to transmission ex officio. Section 487 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies subject to the proviso that transmission may take place where it could be effected from the files in accordance with the present Act.
(5) Where personal data are stored for purposes of the future prosecution of regulatory offences, the period within the meaning of section 489 (4) sentence 2 number 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure may not exceed five years for a regulatory fine of more than 250 euros, two years in all other cases falling under section 489 (4) sentence 2 numbers 1 to 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Section 49d
Protection of personal data in an electronic file
Section 496 subsections (1) and (2), as well as sections 497 and 498 (1), of the Code of Criminal Procedure, apply accordingly, whereby the respective regulatory fining proceedings replace the respective criminal proceedings in section 496 (1) and section 498 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Section 50
Information as to measures taken by the administrative authority
(1) Orders, directives and other measures of the administrative authority are brought to the attention of the person to whom the measure refers without formal service thereof. If a legal remedy subject to a time limit is admissible in respect of the measure, it is brought to such person's attention in a notice to be served.
(2) On issuance of such notice by the administrative authority as may be contested by legal remedy subject to a time limit, the person to whom the measure refers is informed of the possibility of contesting the notice, as well as of the time-limit and the form stipulated therefor.
Section 51
Procedure for service effected by the administrative authority
(1) The provisions of the Act on Service Effected by Administrative Authorities apply to the procedure for the service of documents by the administrative authority if an administrative authority of the Federation conducts the proceedings; the corresponding provisions of Land law apply in all other cases, unless otherwise provided by subsections (2) to (5). If a document is prepared by means of automatic devices, the document so prepared is served.
(2) A notice (section 50 (1) sentence 2) is served upon the person concerned and, where he or she has a statutory representative, is communicated to the latter.
(3) The defence counsel chosen whose power of attorney is proven, as well as the appointed defence counsel, are deemed entitled to receive service and other communications on behalf of the person concerned; this only applies to the service of a summons issued to the person concerned where defence counsel has been expressly authorised in the power of attorney to receive summonses. Transmission of a copy of the power of attorney by defence counsel suffices as proof of the power of attorney. Submission of the original of the power of attorney may be required; it is possible to set a deadline therefor. Where a notice is served on defence counsel in accordance with the first half of sentence 1, the person concerned is informed thereof at the same time; he or she is furnished with a copy of the notice without formal service thereof. Where a notice is served on the person concerned, defence counsel is informed thereof at the same time, even if there is no power of attorney in the files; he or she is furnished with a copy of the notice without formal service thereof.
(4) Where service meant for the participant is effected on more than one person entitled to receive service, the time limit is determined by the service last effected.
(5) Section 6 (1) of the Act on Service Effected by Administrative Authorities and the corresponding provisions of Land law do not apply. Where the person concerned has defence counsel, section 7 (1) sentences 1 and 2, and subsection (2), of the Act on Service Effected by Administrative Authorities and the corresponding provisions of Land law also do not apply.
Section 52
Restoration of the status quo ante
(1) Sections 44, 45, 46 subsections (2) and (3), and section 47, of the Code of Criminal Procedure concerning restoration of the status quo ante apply to the legal remedy, subject to a time limit, in respect of the notice issued by the administrative authority, unless otherwise provided for in subsection (2).
(2) The administrative authority decides in respect of restoration of the status quo ante and of postponement of execution. If the court that would have had jurisdiction to render a decision on the merits in the case of a legal remedy that was sought in good time deals with the legal remedy, it also renders a decision on restoration of the status quo ante and on postponement of execution. If the administrative authority rejects the application for restoration of the status quo ante, the application for a court decision in accordance with section 62 is admissible in respect of the notice within two weeks of service.
CHAPTER THREE
PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS
Section 53
Responsibilities of the police
(1) The police authorities and officials investigate regulatory offences according to their duty-bound discretion, and make all such orders as should not be postponed for the prevention of concealment of facts. When investigating a regulatory offence, they have the same rights and duties as apply to the prosecution of criminal offences, unless otherwise provided by the present Act. They forward their files to the administrative authority without delay, in cases of connected offences (section 42), to the public prosecution office.
(2) Officials of the police force appointed as investigative personnel of the public prosecution office (section 152 of the Courts Constitution Act) may order seizures, searches, investigations and other measures in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure applying to them.
Section 55
Hearing of the person concerned
(1) Section 163a (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies subject to the restriction that it is sufficient for the person concerned to be afforded an opportunity to make a statement in response to the accusation.
(2) The person concerned need not be informed that he or she may consult defence counsel of his or her own choice even prior to his or her examination. Section 136 (1) sentences 3 to 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure do not apply.
Section 56
Cautioning by the administrative authority
(1) In cases of negligible regulatory offences, the administrative authority may caution the person concerned, and impose a cautionary fine from five to fifty-five euros. It may administer a caution without imposing a cautionary fine.
(2) The caution in accordance with subsection (1) sentence 1 is only effective if the person concerned, having been informed of his or her right of refusal, agrees to being cautioned and pays the cautionary fine as required by the administrative authority, either immediately or within a period which is to be set at one week, at the agency indicated therefor or at the post office by remittance to such agency. The above time limit is to be set if the person concerned is unable to pay the cautionary fine immediately, or if it amounts to more than ten euros.
(3) A certificate is issued in respect of the caution in accordance with subsection (1) sentence 1 of the amount of the cautionary fine, of payment or, where applicable, of the time limit set for payment. Costs (fees and expenses) are not charged.
(4) If the caution in accordance with subsection (1) sentence 1 has become effective, the offence may no longer be prosecuted in respect of the factual and legal aspects giving rise to the caution.
Section 57
Cautioning by officials on external duty and by police officers
(1) Persons authorised to exercise, on external duty, the power in accordance with section 56 on behalf of the administrative authority must furnish proof of such authorisation.
(2) The power in accordance with section 56 is also exercised by duly authorised police officers who discover or prosecute a regulatory offence in flagrante delicto and prove their authorisation by virtue of their uniform or in some other way.
Section 58
Authorisation of cautioning
(1) The authorisation in accordance with section 57 (2) is issued by the official's highest superior authority, or by the office designated by such authority. The highest superior authority contacts the competent authority in respect of the question as to the regulatory offences where authorisations are to be issued. The relevant competent Federal Ministry has jurisdiction over regulatory offences the prosecution and sanctioning of which falls within the jurisdiction of an administrative authority of the Federation, in other cases jurisdiction lies with the relevant competent highest Land authority.
(2) Insofar as uniform treatment is appropriate in relation to certain regulatory offences having regard to their frequency and similarity, general authorisations issued to administrative staff and police officials for the purpose of cautioning contain detailed provisions regarding the cases and the conditions under which cautioning is to take place, and regarding the amount of the cautionary fine to be imposed.
III. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY
Section 59
Remuneration of experts, interpreters and translators, compensation of witnesses and third parties
The Justice Remuneration and Compensation Act applies accordingly to the remuneration of experts, interpreters and translators, as well as to the compensation of witnesses and third parties (section 23 of the Justice Remuneration and Compensation Act).
If participation of defence counsel is imperative in the proceedings of the administrative authority (section 140 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure), the administrative authority is competent to appoint such counsel. The administrative authority also renders a decision on admission of other persons as defence counsel, and on rejection of defence counsel (section 138 (2) section 146a (1) sentences 1 and 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
Section 61
Conclusion of investigations
As soon as the administrative authority has concluded its investigations, it makes a note of this in the files it if is considering further prosecution of the regulatory offence concerned.
Section 62
Legal remedy against measures of the administrative authority
(1) The person concerned, and other persons against whom the measure is directed, may file a request for a court decision in respect of orders, directives and other measures taken by the administrative authority in the regulatory fining proceedings. This does not apply to measures which are taken only for the preparation of the decision as to whether a regulatory fining notice will be issued, or whether the proceedings will be terminated, and where such measures themselves lack relevance in their own right.
(2) The court with jurisdiction in accordance with section 68 decides on the request. Sections 297 to 300, 302, 306 to 309 and 311a of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding imposition of the costs of proceedings upon a complaint, apply accordingly. The court's decision is not contestable unless otherwise provided by statute.
IV. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION OFFICE
Section 63
Participation of the administrative authority
(1) If the public prosecution office has taken over prosecution of the regulatory offence (section 42), the staff of such administrative authority as would otherwise be competent, being entrusted with the investigation of regulatory offences, has the same rights and duties as police officials in regulatory fining proceedings. Such administrative authority may order confiscations, emergency sales, searches and investigations in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure applicable to investigative personnel of the public prosecution office.
(2) Such administrative authority is informed of the indictment and of the request for issuance of a penal order to the extent that they relate to a regulatory offence.
(3) If the public prosecution office considers discontinuing the proceedings in respect of a regulatory offence in cases falling under section 40 or 42, it hears the administrative authority that would otherwise be competent. The public prosecution office may dispense with this if the administrative authority's particular expertise may be dispensed with for the decision.
Section 64
Public charges extended to the regulatory offence
If, in cases falling under section 42, the public prosecution office prefers charges on account of a criminal offence, those charges extend to the regulatory offence where a sufficient reason exists according to the investigations.
CHAPTER FOUR
REGULATORY FINING NOTICE
Unless otherwise determined by the present Act, regulatory offences are sanctioned by a regulatory fining notice.
Section 66
Contents of the regulatory fining notice
(1) The regulatory fining notice contains:
1. information concerning the identity of the person concerned and of any other persons involved;
2. defence counsel's name and address;
3. the designation of the offence with which the person concerned is charged, time and place of commission, and the statutory elements of the regulatory offence and the regulatory fining provisions applied;
5. the regulatory fine and the incidental consequences.
(2) The regulatory fining notice further contains
1. an indication to the effect that
a) the regulatory fining notice becomes final and binding and enforceable if no objection is filed in accordance with section 67,
b) in the event of an objection, a decision may be rendered that is more disadvantageous to the person concerned,
2. a request addressed to the person concerned that
a) the regulatory fine, or specified instalments, be paid to the relevant public treasury, or
b) in the event of inability to pay, a declaration be made, in writing or for the record, to the enforcement authority (section 92) stating why he or she cannot reasonably be expected, in the light of his or her financial circumstances, to pay on time,
no later than two weeks after entry into force, or at any later date specified (section 18),
3. the information that coercive detention (section 96) may be imposed if the person concerned does not comply with his or her obligation under number 2.
(3) The regulatory fining notice need not be substantiated by any information beyond that contained in subsection (1) numbers 3 and 4.
CHAPTER FIVE
OBJECTION AND COURT PROCEEDINGS
I. OBJECTION
(1) The person concerned may file an objection to the regulatory fining notice within two weeks after service, either in writing or for the record with the administrative authority that issued such notice. Sections 297 to 300, and section 302, of the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding appellate remedies apply accordingly.
(2) The objection may be confined to specific points of complaint.
Section 68
Court with jurisdiction
(1) The local court in whose district the administrative authority has its seat renders a decision on an objection to the regulatory fining notice. The local court judge renders a decision sitting alone.
(2) The youth court judge has jurisdiction in proceedings in respect of juveniles and adolescents.
(3) If there is more than one local court district, or more than one part of such district, within the district of the administrative authority of a Land, the Land government may determine, by statutory instrument, and in derogation from subsection (1), the jurisdiction of the local court according to where
1. the regulatory offence, or one of the regulatory offences, was committed (place of commission), or
2. the person concerned has his or her domicile (place of residence)
if it appears appropriate, given the large number of cases or the great distance between the place of commission or the place of residence and the seat of the local court having jurisdiction in accordance with subsection (1), to assign the sets of proceedings to more than one local court; section 37 (3) applies accordingly. The district determining the jurisdiction of the local court in accordance with sentence 1 may comprise the districts of more than one local court. The Land government may transfer the authorisation to the Land department of justice.
Section 69
Intermediate proceedings
(1) If the objection has not been filed in due time, not in the prescribed form, or otherwise not validly filed, the administrative authority rejects it as being inadmissible. An application for a court decision in accordance with section 62 in respect of the notice is admissible within two weeks of service.
(2) If the objection is admissible, the administrative authority examines whether to uphold or withdraw the regulatory fining notice. For this purpose, it may
1. order or itself undertake further investigations;
2. request statements concerning official observations, examinations and knowledge (section 77a (2)) from authorities and other agencies.
The administrative authority may also afford the person concerned the opportunity to make statements, within a time limit to be determined, on whether he or she wishes to adduce facts and evidence in his or her defence in the further proceedings, and if so, what facts and evidence; he or she is informed in this connection that, by statute, he or she is free to respond to the accusation, or not to make a statement on the matter.
(3) The administrative authority forwards the files via the public prosecution office to the local court if it does not withdraw the regulatory fining notice and does not proceed in accordance with subsection (1) sentence 1; it states the reasons therefor in the files insofar as the factual situation so requires. The decision on an application for inspection of the files, and on granting of same, is taken prior to transmission of the files (section 49 (1) of the present Act and section 147 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
(4) The functions of the prosecuting authority are assumed by the public prosecution office on receipt of the files by the public prosecution office. The public prosecution office submits the files to the local court judge if it neither discontinues the proceedings nor conducts further investigations.
(5) If the facts of the case have evidently not been sufficiently clarified, the local court judge may refer the matter back to the administrative authority, indicating the reasons and with the consent of the public prosecution office; upon receipt of the files, the administrative authority again has jurisdiction over prosecution and sanctioning. If the local court judge does not, on renewed transmission, see a sufficient suspicion of commission of a regulatory offence, he or she may remit the case back to the administrative authority in a final order. Such ruling is incontestable.
Section 70
Court decision on the admissibility of an objection
(1) If the provisions concerning the filing of an objection have been disregarded, the court rejects the objection as being inadmissible.
(2) An immediate complaint is admissible in respect of the ruling.
(1) Unless otherwise provided by the present Act, the procedure following an admissible objection is governed by the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure applicable following an admissible objection to a penal order.
(2) For enhanced clarification of the matter, the court may
1. order specific evidence to be taken,
2. request submission of statements from authorities and other agencies regarding official observations, examinations and knowledge (section 77a (2)).
In preparation for the main hearing, the court may also afford the person concerned the opportunity to state, within a time limit to be determined, whether he or she wishes to adduce facts and evidence in his or her defence, and if so, what facts and evidence; section 69 (2) second half of sentence 3 applies.
Section 72
Decision in a ruling
(1) If the court determines that a main hearing is not required, it may render its decision in a ruling if the person concerned and the public prosecution office do not object to such procedure. Prior to that, the court notifies them of the provision made for such procedure and such objection, and affords them the opportunity to make a statement within two weeks upon service of such notification; section 145a subsections (1) and (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly. The court may dispense with notification to the person concerned and may, even against his or her objection, render its decision in a ruling if it acquits the person concerned.
(2) An objection received only after expiry of the time limit is disregarded. In this case, however, restoration of the status quo ante may be requested against the decision within one week of service under the same conditions as against failure to observe a time limit; the person concerned is informed accordingly on service of the ruling.
(3) The court determines whether the person concerned is to be acquitted, whether a regulatory fine is to be imposed on him or her, whether any incidental consequence is to be ordered, or whether the proceedings are to be discontinued. The court may not deviate from the decision in the regulatory fining notice to the detriment of the person concerned.
(4) Where a regulatory fine is imposed, the regulatory offence is indicated in the ruling; if the factual elements of the offence for which a regulatory fine is imposed have a statutory title, such title is to be used to designate the regulatory offence. Section 260 (5) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies accordingly. The reasons given for the ruling contain the facts deemed to have been proven and which, in the court's opinion, constitute the factual elements of the regulatory offence. Insofar as evidence can be inferred from other facts, reference is also to be made to those facts. The circumstances governing the assessment of the regulatory fine and the order imposing an incidental consequence are also indicated.
(5) If the person concerned is acquitted, the reasoning discloses whether the person concerned has been deemed not guilty, or whether and for which reasons the offence assumed to be proven has not been deemed to be a regulatory offence. If the ruling cannot be contested by a complaint on a point of law, it need only be stated whether it was for factual or for legal reasons that the regulatory offence with which the person concerned was charged has not been determined.
(6) Provision of reasoning may be dispensed with if the participants in the proceedings so agree. In such case, reference to the content of the regulatory fining notice suffices; the court may make additional statements at its discretion and having regard to the circumstances of the individual case. The full reasons are placed on file within five weeks if a complaint on a point of law is filed in respect of the ruling.
Section 73
Presence of the person concerned at the main hearing
(1) The person concerned is obliged to appear at the main hearing.
(2) Upon his or her application, the court may relieve him or her of this obligation if he or she has made a statement on the matter, or if he or she has declared that he or she will not make a statement on the matter in the main hearing, and if his or her presence is not required to clarify important aspects of the facts.
(3) If the court has relieved the person concerned of the obligation of personal appearance, he or she may be represented by defence counsel with documented power of attorney.
Section 74
Proceedings in absentia
(1) The main hearing is conducted in the absence of the person concerned if he or she has not attended, and was relieved of the obligation of attending in person. Previous examinations of the person concerned, and his or her statements put on record and other statements, are introduced at the main hearing by communication of their essential content, or by reading them out. It suffices to give defence counsel the indications required in accordance with section 265 subsections (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) If the person concerned fails to attend without sufficient excuse, although he or she was not relieved of the obligation to attend, the court rejects the objection in a judgment without a hearing on the merits.
(3) In the summons, the person concerned is informed of subsections (1) and (2) and section 73 and section 77b (1) sentences 1 and 3.
(4) If the main hearing has been held without the person concerned in accordance with subsection (1) or (2), he or she may request, within one week of service, restoration of the status quo ante in respect of the judgment, on the same conditions as apply in respect of failure to observe a time limit. He or she is informed thereof upon service of the judgment.
Section 75
Attendance of the public prosecution office at the main hearing
(1) The public prosecution office is not obliged to attend the main hearing. The court informs the public prosecution office if it deems its attendance to be appropriate.
(2) If the public prosecution office does not attend the main hearing, its approval is not required to discontinue the proceedings (section 47 (2)), or to withdraw the objection at the main hearing.
Section 76
Participation of the administrative authority
(1) The court affords the administrative authority an opportunity to state those aspects which, in its opinion, are important for the decision. This also applies when the court is considering discontinuation of the proceedings in accordance with section 47 (2). The date set down for the main hearing is communicated to the administrative authority. Its representative is heard upon request.
(2) The court may dispense with involving the administrative authority in accordance with subsection (1) if its particular expertise is not needed for the decision.
(3) If the public prosecution office considers withdrawing the case, section 63 (3) applies accordingly.
(4) The administrative authority is informed of the judgment, and of other decisions concluding the proceedings.
Section 77
Scope of the taking of evidence
(1) The court determines the scope of the evidence to be taken, notwithstanding the duty to establish the truth ex officio. Here the court also refers to the importance of the matter.
(2) If the court considers that the facts of the case have been cleared up in the light of the evidence taken so far, it may also reject an application for the taking of evidence, apart from the cases falling under section 244 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, where
1. upon exercise of its duty-bound discretion, the taking of evidence is not required to establish the truth, or
2. upon its unfettered assessment, the evidence or the fact to be proved is adduced without reasonable cause at such a late stage that the taking of evidence would lead to suspension of the main hearing.
(3) The reasons given for the rejection of an application to take evidence in accordance with subsection (2) number 1 may, in the court decision (section 244 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure), usually be confined to a statement to the effect that evidence does not need to be taken in order to establish the truth.
Section 77a
Simplified procedure for taking evidence
(1) Examination of a witness, of an expert, or of another person concerned, may be replaced by reading aloud the records regarding a previous examination, or documents containing a statement made by them.
(2) Statements by authorities and other agencies regarding their official observations, investigations and knowledge, as well as regarding those of their staff, may be read out even if the preconditions contained in section 256 of the Code of Criminal Procedure do not apply.
(3) The court may also obtain a telephone statement from an authority (subsection (2)), and state its substantial content at the main hearing. The content of such statement is included in the record upon application.
(4) The procedure in accordance with subsections (1) to (3) requires the approval of the person concerned, of defence counsel, and of the public prosecution office insofar as they are present at the main hearing. Section 251 (1) numbers 3 and 4, subsection (2) numbers 1 and 2, subsections (3) and (4), as well as sections 252 and 253, of the Code of Criminal Procedure remain unaffected.
Section 77b
Dispensing with stating reasoning for the judgment
(1) Written reasoning for the judgment may be dispensed with where all those entitled to contest it refrain from lodging a complaint on a point of law, or where no such complaint is lodged within the time-limit. If the public prosecution office has not attended the main hearing, it is not necessary for it to declare its waiver; written reasons for the judgment are however necessary if so requested by the public prosecution office prior to the main hearing. A declaration of waiver by the person concerned is dispensable if he or she has been released from the obligation to attend the main hearing, if he or she was represented by defence counsel at the main hearing, and if the regulatory fine assessed in the judgment was not more than two hundred and fifty euros.
(2) The reasoning for the judgment is placed on file within the time-limit provided for in section 275 (1) sentence 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure if restoration of the status quo ante is granted in respect of failure to observe the time-limit set for the complaint on a point of law, or if a complaint on a point of law has been lodged by the public prosecution office in cases under subsection (1) first half of sentence 2, or by the person concerned in cases under subsection (1) sentence 3.
Section 78
Other measures simplifying the proceedings
(1) In lieu of reading out a document, the court may state its substantial content; this does not however apply where the actual wording of the document is decisive. If the person concerned, defence counsel, and the representative of the public prosecution office attending the main hearing, have taken cognisance of the wording of the document, or had an opportunity to do so, it is sufficient to include a statement to that effect in the record. Where reading out documents is dependent on the consent of the persons participating in the proceedings, this also applies to the procedure in accordance with the first and second sentences.
(2) Section 273 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure does not apply.
(3) Section 78 (3) of the Youth Courts Act applies accordingly to proceedings in respect of juveniles.
(4) Where a regulatory fine is assessed in respect of a juvenile or an adolescent, the youth court judge may at the same time issue an enforcement order in accordance with section 98 (1).
Section 79
Complaint on a point of law
(1) A complaint on a point of law is admissible in respect of a judgment and a ruling in accordance with section 72 if
1. a regulatory fine of more than two hundred and fifty euros has been assessed in respect of the person concerned,
2. an incidental consequence has been ordered, unless such incidental consequence involves property the value of which has been assessed, in the judgment or in the ruling in accordance with section 72, as not exceeding two hundred and fifty euros,
3. the person concerned has been acquitted of a regulatory offence, or the proceedings have been discontinued, or imposition of deprivation of the right to drive has been dispensed with and, in respect of the offence, the regulatory fine assessed in the regulatory fining notice or in the penal order amounted to more than six hundred euros, deprivation of the right to drive was imposed, or the public prosecution office applied for imposition of such regulatory fine or deprivation of the right to drive,
4. the objection has been rejected by judgment as being inadmissible, or
5. a decision has been given in a ruling in accordance with section 72, although the complainant had objected to this procedure in good time, or a hearing in accordance with the law has been otherwise denied to him or her.
A complaint on a point of law is also admissible where it is admitted (section 80).
(2) If the judgment, or the ruling in accordance with section 72, concerns more than one offence, and if the preconditions of sentence 1 of subsection (1) numbers 1 to 3, or of sentence 2, apply only with regard to individual offences, a complaint on a point of law is admissible to that extent only.
(3) In respect of a complaint on a point of law and the further proceedings, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure and of the Courts Constitution Act concerning an appeal on a point of law only apply accordingly, unless otherwise provided by the present Act. Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure also applies accordingly to an application for restoration of the status quo ante in accordance with section 72 (2) first half of sentence 2.
(4) The time-limit allowed for lodging a complaint on a point of law commences upon service of the ruling in accordance with section 72, or of the judgment in which it has been pronounced in the complainant's absence and the latter has also not been represented by defence counsel with documented power of attorney in accordance with section 73 (3).
(5) The court hearing the complaint renders its decision in a ruling. Where the complaint on a point of law is directed against a judgment, the court hearing the complaint may render its decision in a judgment following a main hearing.
(6) Where the court hearing the complaint quashes the contested decision, it may itself, in derogation from section 354 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, render a decision on the merits, or may remit it to the local court whose decision is quashed, or to another local court of the same Land.
Section 80
Leave to lodge a complaint on a point of law
(1) The court hearing the complaint, upon application, grants leave to lodge a complaint on a point of law in accordance with section 79 (1) sentence 2 where this is necessary
1. to enable the judgment to be reviewed for the purpose of developing the law, or of ensuring the uniformity of court decisions, unless otherwise provided in (2), or
2. to quash the judgment for want of a hearing in accordance with the law.
(2) Leave to lodge a complaint on a point of law is not granted in respect of the application of legal rules concerning procedure, and is granted in respect of the application of other legal rules only for the purpose of developing the law where
1. a regulatory fine not exceeding one hundred euros has been assessed in respect of the person concerned, or an incidental consequence involving property has been imposed the value of which has been assessed in the judgment at a sum not exceeding one hundred euros, or
2. the person concerned has been acquitted of a regulatory offence, or the proceedings have been discontinued and, in respect of the offence, the regulatory fine assessed in the regulatory fining notice or in the penal order did not amount to more than one hundred and fifty euros, or the public prosecution office applied for imposition of such regulatory fine.
(3) The provisions on the lodging of a complaint on a point of law apply accordingly to the application for leave to lodge a complaint on a point of law. The application is deemed to be a complaint on a point of law lodged by way of precaution. The provisions concerning submission of the notices of complaint on a point of law and the reasoning therefor (sections 344 and 345 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) are complied with. The reasoning stated in the notices of complaint also includes the reasons why the preconditions referred to in subsection (1) apply. Section 35a of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies accordingly.
(4) The court hearing the complaint renders a decision on the application in a ruling. Sections 346 to 348 of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly. Reasoning need not be given for the ruling rejecting the application. If the application is rejected, the complaint on a point of law is deemed to have been withdrawn.
(5) If it emerges, prior to the decision on the application for leave to lodge a complaint on a point of law, that an impediment to the proceedings exists, the court hearing the complaint discontinues the proceedings only if the impediment to the proceedings occurred after delivery of the judgment.
Section 80a
Composition of the regulatory fining divisions of the higher regional courts
(1) The regulatory fining divisions of the higher regional courts are composed of one judge, unless other provision has been made.
(2) The regulatory fining divisions of the higher regional courts are composed of three judges, including the presiding judge, in proceedings on complaints on a point of law in the cases referred to under section 79 (1) sentence 1 where a regulatory fine exceeding five thousand euros, or an incidental consequence the value of which exceeds five thousand euros involving property, has been assessed or applied for. The value of a regulatory fine, and the value of an incidental consequence involving property, is calculated together where appropriate.
(3) In cases referred to under subsection (1), the judge transfers the case to the regulatory fining division composed of three judges, if it is necessary to review the judgment or ruling in accordance with section 72 for the purpose of developing the law, or for the purpose of ensuring consistency of decisions. This also applies in proceedings on a complaint on a point of law which has been admitted, but not in proceedings on its admission.
CHAPTER SIX
REGULATORY FINING PROCEEDINGS AND CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Section 81
Transition from regulatory fining proceedings to criminal proceedings
(1) In regulatory fining proceedings, the court is not bound by the evaluation of the offence as a regulatory offence. It may however only render a decision based on a criminal provision if the person concerned has previously been informed of the change in the legal assessment of the case, and has been afforded the opportunity to defend himself or herself.
(2) The person concerned is informed of the change in the legal assessment at the request of the public prosecution office, or ex officio. Upon this information, he or she has the legal status of a defendant. The hearing is interrupted if the court considers this to be necessary, or if the defendant so applies. The defendant is informed of his or her right to apply for such interruption.
(3) The special provisions of the present Act no longer apply in the further proceedings. The evidence taken up to that point in the presence of the person concerned may however also be used if it has been taken in accordance with these provisions; this does not however apply to the taking of evidence in accordance with section 77a and section 78 (1).
Section 82
Imposition of a regulatory fine in criminal proceedings
(1) In criminal proceedings, the court evaluates the offence referred to in the indictment also from the legal point of view of a regulatory offence.
(2) Where the court admits the indictment for a main hearing only from the legal point of view of a regulatory offence, the special provisions of the present Act apply in the further proceedings.
Section 83
Proceedings relating to regulatory offences and criminal offences
(1) Where regulatory offences and criminal offences are the subject of the proceedings, and where specific offences are prosecuted as regulatory offences only, section 46 (3), (4) and (5) sentence 2, and subsection (7), sections 47, 49, 55, 76 to 78, 79 (1) to (3), as well as section 80, also apply to the proceedings relating to such offences.
(2) Where, in the cases under subsection (1), a complaint on a point of law is lodged against the judgment where the latter relates only to regulatory offences, and an appeal on points of fact and law in respect of all other cases, a complaint, if lodged in time and in the prescribed form, is treated as an appeal on points of fact and law as long as the appeal on points of fact and law is not withdrawn or dismissed as inadmissible. Notices of complaint including the reasoning therefor is nevertheless submitted in the prescribed form and served on the opponent (sections 344 to 347 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); there is however no need to grant leave in accordance with section 79 (1) sentence 2. A complaint on a point of law, in accordance with section 79 subsections (1) and (2), as well as section 80, is admissible against a judgment rendered in an appeal on points of fact and law.
(3) If the court hearing the complaint quashes a judgment where the latter relates to regulatory offences only, it may render its own decision on the merits.
CHAPTER SEVEN
LEGAL FORCE AND RE-OPENING OF THE PROCEEDINGS
Section 84
Effect of the legal force
(1) If the regulatory fining notice has become legally effective, or if the court has rendered a final decision on the offence as a regulatory offence or as a criminal offence, the same offence can no longer be prosecuted as a regulatory offence.
(2) The final judgment on the offence as a regulatory offence also precludes its prosecution as a criminal offence. The ruling in accordance with section 72, and the ruling of the court hearing the complaint on the offence as a regulatory offence, is deemed equivalent to the final judgment.
Section 85
Re-opening of the proceedings
(1) Sections 359 to 373a of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply accordingly to the re-opening of proceedings that have been concluded by a final regulatory fining decision, unless otherwise determined by the provisions below.
(2) The re-opening of the proceedings in favour of the person concerned supported by new facts or evidence (section 359, number 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) is not permissible if
1. only a regulatory fine of up to two hundred and fifty euros has been assessed against the person concerned, or
2. three years have passed since the regulatory fining decision has become legally effective.
Sentence 1 number 1 applies accordingly if an incidental consequence involving property has been ordered the value of which does not exceed two hundred and fifty euros.
(3) The re-opening of the proceedings to the disadvantage of the person concerned is permissible under the prerequisites of section 362 of the Code of Criminal Procedure only for the purpose of creating a conviction in accordance with criminal law. For this purpose, it is also permissible if new facts or items of evidence have been submitted which are apt, separately or in conjunction with former evidence taken, to substantiate the conviction of the person concerned for a major crime.
(4) In the re-opened proceedings against the regulatory fining notice, the court with jurisdiction in accordance with section 68 renders a decision. If such re-opening of the proceedings is requested by the person concerned, or if circumstances become known to the administrative authority which permit the proceedings to be re-opened, it sends the records to the public prosecution office. Section 69 (4) sentence 1 applies accordingly.
Section 86
Rescission of the regulatory fining notice in criminal proceedings
(1) If a regulatory fine has been issued against the person concerned, and if he or she is subsequently sentenced in criminal proceedings for the same act, the regulatory fining notice is rescinded to this extent. The same applies if a sentence is not imposed in the criminal proceedings, but the findings of the court as delivered in the final decision oppose the regulatory fining notice.
(2) Amounts of money which have been paid or collected on the basis of the rescinded regulatory fining notice first deducted from an assessed criminal fine, then from the incidental consequences ordered which obligate the offender to effect payment, and lastly from the costs of the criminal proceedings.
(3) The decisions in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) are rendered in the judgment or in another final decision.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PROCEDURE IF INCIDENTAL CONSEQUENCES OR A REGULATORY FINE ARE ORDERED AGAINST A LEGAL PERSON OR ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS
Section 87
Order for confiscation
(1) If the administrative authority must decide in the regulatory fining proceedings on the confiscation of an object, it is also responsible for ordering participation in the proceedings, the appointment of an attorney or another person who may be appointed as defence counsel, as well as for a decision on compensation (sections 424, 425, 428 (2), section 430 (3) and section 438 (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure); section 60 sentence 2 applies accordingly.
(2) Upon issuance of the regulatory fining decision, the person involved in the confiscation procedure, unless otherwise provided by law, has the powers accruing to a person concerned. The regulatory fining notice ordering confiscation is served on him or her. At the same time, he or she is advised that a decision concerning him or her in respect of the confiscation has also been delivered.
(3) Confiscation is ordered in separate proceedings by means of a separate confiscation notice; section 66 (1), (2) number 1a and (3) apply accordingly. The confiscation notice is deemed equivalent to a regulatory fining notice. The administrative authority which would be competent in case of prosecution of a particular person is responsible; local competence is also had by the administrative authority in the district of which the object has been secured.
(4) A request for subsequent proceedings (section 433 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) against a regulatory fining notice is submitted to the administrative authority which has ordered confiscation. The court with jurisdiction in accordance with section 68 renders the decision. The administrative authority sends the records to the public prosecution office, which submits them to the court; section 69 (4) sentence 1 applies accordingly.
(5) The decision of the court on the confiscation of an object the value of which does not exceed two hundred and fifty euros is incontestable.
(6) Subsection (2) sentence 3, subsection (3) second half of sentence 3, and subsection (5), do not apply in proceedings involving the confiscation order in accordance with section 29a.
Section 88
Assessment of the regulatory fine against legal persons and associations of persons
(1) If the administrative authority must decide in the regulatory fining proceedings on the assessment of a regulatory fine against a legal person or an association of persons (section 30), that authority is also competent to order participation in the proceedings and the appointment of an attorney, or of any other person who may be appointed as defence counsel (section 444 (1) and section 428 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure); section 60 sentence 2 applies accordingly.
(2) The administrative authority assesses the regulatory fine in a separate regulatory fining decision in separate proceedings. The administrative authority which would be competent in case of prosecution of a specific person is competent; local competence also lies with the administrative authority in the district of which the legal person or association of persons has its seat or branch.
(3) Section 87 (2) sentences 1 and 2, and subsection (5), apply accordingly.
CHAPTER NINE
ENFORCEMENT OF DECISIONS CONCERNING REGULATORY FINES
Section 89
Enforceability of decisions concerning regulatory fines
Decisions concerning regulatory fines are enforceable if they have become legally valid.
Section 90
Enforcement of regulatory fining notices
(1) Unless otherwise provided by law, the regulatory fining notice is enforced in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Enforcement Act dated 27 April 1953 (Federal Law Gazette I, page 157) in their current version, if an administrative authority of the Federation has issued the regulatory fining notice, in other cases in accordance with the pertinent Land provisions.
(2) Unless otherwise provided for by law, regulatory fines benefit the Federal Treasury if an administrative authority of the Federation has issued the regulatory fining notice, in other cases the Land treasury. Sentence 1 applies to incidental consequences constituting an obligation to effect payment.
(3) If the confiscation or rendering unusable of an object has been ordered, the order is enforced by the object being taken away from the person concerned, or from the party involved in the confiscation. If the object is not found in the possession of these persons, they must, upon the request of the administrative authority, swear an affirmation in lieu of oath before the local court concerning the whereabouts of the object. Section 883 subsections (2) and (3) of the Code of Civil Procedure apply accordingly.
(4) Subsection (1) applies accordingly to the enforcement of a disciplinary regulatory fine assessed by the administrative authority.
Section 91
Enforcement of the decision concerning regulatory fines issued by the court
Sections 451 subsections (1) and (2), sections 459 and 459g (1), as well as subsection (2) in conjunction with section 459, of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply to the enforcement of the court's decision concerning regulatory fines; section 82 (1), section 83 (2), as well as sections 84 and 85 subsection (5), of the Youth Courts Act apply accordingly in proceedings against juveniles and adolescents.
Section 92
Enforcement authority
In cases falling under section 90, within the meaning of the provisions of this Chapter below, the term "enforcement authority" means the administrative authority which has issued the regulatory fining notice, and in other cases the office which is responsible for enforcement in accordance with section 91.
Section 93
Easier means of payment
(1) After the decision concerning a regulatory fine has become effective, the enforcement authority decides on easier means of payment (section 18).
(2) The enforcement authority may subsequently amend or rescind a decision on easier means of payment in accordance with subsection (1), or with section 18. In doing so, it may derogate from a prior decision to the disadvantage of the person concerned only on the basis of new facts or evidence.
(3) Section 66 (2) numbers 2 and 3 apply accordingly to decisions on easier means of payment. The decision also extends to the costs of the proceedings; it may also be separately rendered with regard to the costs.
(4) If the concession granted in accordance with section 18 sentence 2 is cancelled, this is noted in the files. The execution authority may again grant the person concerned easier means of payment.
Section 94
Offsetting of instalments
If the person concerned does not make an arrangement when effecting payment, instalments are offset, firstly, against the regulatory fine, then against any incidental consequences that have been ordered constituting an obligation to effect payment, and lastly against the costs of the proceedings.
Section 95
Collection of the regulatory fine
(1) The regulatory fine, or instalments towards a regulatory fine, are only collected prior to the expiration of two weeks from the date the amount has become due if specific facts reveal that the person concerned wishes to evade payment.
(2) Should it emerge in accordance with his or her economic circumstances that the person concerned is unable to effect payment in the foreseeable future, the enforcement authority may order enforcement not to be carried out.
Section 96
Ordering of coercive detention
(1) After expiration of the period set in accordance with section 95 (1), the court may, upon request of the execution authority, or if it is responsible for enforcement itself, order coercive detention ex officio if
1. the regulatory fine, or the assessed instalment thereof, has not been paid,
2. the person concerned has not made his or her insolvency known (section 66 (2) number 2b),
3. he or she has been instructed in accordance with section 66 (2) number 3, and
4. no circumstances are known on which his or her insolvency can be based.
(2) If it is revealed in accordance with his or her economic circumstances that the person concerned cannot be expected to pay the amount of the regulatory fine immediately, the court grants an easier means of payment, or leaves the decision thereon to the enforcement authority. An order already given for coercive detention is rescinded.
(3) The period of coercive detention involving a regulatory fine may not exceed six weeks; it may not exceed three months for several regulatory fines assessed in one regulatory fining decision. The period is fixed by days in consideration of the amount of the regulatory fine to be paid, and may not be extended subsequently, but may be reduced. Coercive detention may not be repeated on account of the same amount.
Section 97
Enforcement of coercive detention
(1) Section 451 subsections (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply to the enforcement of coercive detention; section 82 (1), section 83 (2), as well as sections 84 and 85 (5), of the Youth Courts Act also apply accordingly in proceedings against juveniles and adolescents.
(2) The person concerned may avert enforcement of coercive detention at any time by paying the due amount of the regulatory fine.
(3) If the person concerned, after coercive detention has been ordered, asserts that he or she cannot be expected to pay the amount of the regulatory fine immediately in view of his or her economic circumstances, enforcement of the order is not delayed thereby. The court may however suspend enforcement.
Section 98
Enforcement against juveniles and adolescents
(1) If the regulatory fine assessed against a juvenile is not paid after the expiration of the period fixed in accordance with section 95 (1), the youth court judge may, upon request of the execution authority, or if he or she himself is responsible for enforcement, adjudge ex officio that in lieu of a regulatory fine the juvenile
1. complies with an order to work,
2. makes restitution to the best of his or her ability for damage caused by the act,
3. attends traffic classes if a violation of traffic regulations is involved,
4. performs other specified services,
if granting easier means of payment, collection of the regulatory fine or the ordering of coercive detention is not deemed possible or appropriate. The youth court judge may give the orders in accordance with sentence 1 in combination with each other, and subsequently amend them.
(2) If the juvenile fails to comply with an order in accordance with subsection (1) through his or her own fault, and also fails to pay the regulatory fine, youth detention (section 16 of the Youth Courts Act) may be imposed on him or her if he or she has been instructed accordingly. Youth detention imposed in accordance with this may not exceed one week if a regulatory fining decision has been delivered. Prior to the imposition of youth detention, the juvenile is afforded the opportunity to make an oral statement before the judge.
(3) Youth detention may not be repeatedly imposed in respect of the same amount. The judge refrains from enforcing youth detention if the juvenile on imposition complies with the instruction or pays the regulatory fine. If youth detention has been enforced, the youth court judge may declare entire or partial dismissal of the regulatory fine.
(4) Subsections (1) and (3) also apply to the enforcement of the regulatory fine assessed against an adolescent.
Section 99
Enforcement of incidental consequences constituting an obligation to effect payment
(1) Sections 93 and 95 apply accordingly to the enforcement of obligations to effect payment directed as incidental consequences; sections 94, 96 and 97 also apply to the enforcement of the regulatory fine against a legal person or association of persons.
(2) If confiscation of a sum of money (section 29a) has been ordered with legal effect, and if the person concerned, or the party involved in confiscation, submits a final decision by which a claim of the injured person has been established against him or her for the act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, the enforcement authority orders that the order for confiscation no longer be enforced to this extent. If the sum of money declared to be confiscated has already been paid or collected, and proof of payment to the injured person is furnished on the basis of the final decision, the execution authority orders reimbursement in this respect to the person concerned, or to the party involved in confiscation.
Section 100
Subsequent decisions on confiscation
(1) A decision on the cancellation of the reservation concerning confiscation, and the subsequent order to confiscate an object or a substitute value (section 24 (2) sentence 3, section 25 (4), is rendered by
1. the administrative authority which has issued the regulatory fining notice,
2. the court if the regulatory fining decision has been issued by the court.
(2) Within two weeks after service of the notification, the request for a decision by the court in accordance with section 62 is admissible against the subsequent order for confiscation, in cases falling under subsection (1) number 1. An immediate complaint against the decision of the court is admissible if the value of the object in controversy exceeds two hundred and fifty euros.
Section 101
Enforcement against the estate
A regulatory fine must not be enforced against the estate of the person concerned.
Section 102
Subsequent criminal proceedings
(1) If charges are preferred for the same act after the regulatory fining notice has become legally valid, the enforcement authority suspends enforcement of the regulatory fining notice in this respect.
(2) If no decisions in accordance with section 86 (1) and (2) have been made in the criminal proceedings, they must be rendered subsequently by the court.
Section 103
Decision of the court
(1) The court decides on objections against
1. the admissibility of enforcement,
2. orders given by the enforcement authority in accordance with sections 93, 99 (2) and section 102 (1),
3. other measures taken for enforcement based on a regulatory fining notice.
(2) Execution is not delayed by objections filed in accordance with subsection (1). The court may however suspend enforcement.
Section 104
Procedure in case of court decisions
(1) The decisions of the court which become necessary in connection with enforcement is issued
1. by the court which has jurisdiction in accordance with section 68, if a regulatory fining notice has to be enforced,
2. by the court of first instance, if a regulatory fining decision rendered by the court is to be enforced,
3. by the youth court judge responsible for the execution of a regulatory fining decision rendered by a court, unless a decision in accordance with section 100 (1) number 2 is to be made,
4. by the court of first instance in criminal proceedings, if a decision in accordance with section 102 (2) is to be rendered.
(2) The decision is rendered without an oral hearing. The persons concerned are given the opportunity to submit requests prior to the decision, and to substantiate them.
(3) Immediate appeal is admissible against
1. the ordering of coercive detention and the imposition of youth detention;
2. the subsequent decision on confiscation (section 100 (1) number 2);
3. the court decision in cases falling under section 103 (1) number 2 in conjunction with section 99 (2);
this applies in cases falling under numbers 2 and 3, but only if the value of the object in controversy exceeds two hundred and fifty euros. In other cases, the decision is incontestable.
I. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY
(1) Section 464 subsections (1) and (2), sections 464a and 464c insofar as the costs of sign language interpreters are concerned, sections 464d, 465, 466, 467a subsections (1) and (2), section 469 subsections (1) and (2), as well as sections 470, 472b and 473 subsection (7), of the Code of Criminal Procedure, apply accordingly in the proceedings of the administrative authority; section 74 of the Youth Courts Act also applies in the proceedings against juveniles and adolescents.
(2) The necessary expenses which the Treasury bears in accordance with subsection (1) in connection with section 465 (2), section 467a subsections (1) and (2), as well as sections 470 and 472b, of the Code of Criminal Procedure are imposed on the Federal Treasury if an administrative authority of the Federation conducts the proceedings, otherwise the Treasury of the Land bears the costs, unless otherwise provided by law.
Section 106
Assessment of costs
(1) The amount of the costs and expenses which a person involved must reimburse to another person is assessed by the administrative authority upon request. It is stated upon request that interest is payable on the assessed costs and expenses in accordance with section 104 (1) sentence 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure from the date when the request for assessment is submitted. A calculation of costs which were incurred by the applicant, one information duplicate to the other person concerned, and the receipts to verify the individually assessed amounts, are to be enclosed with the request for assessment. For taking an assessed amount into consideration, it is sufficient that it has been made credible. With regard to the expenses incurred by an attorney, such as postal and telecommunications services, the statement of the attorney that the expenses have been incurred is sufficient.
(2) The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure concerning the coercive enforcement of costs decisions apply accordingly to the enforcement of a decision on administrative costs. Coercive enforcement is permitted only if the administrative costs decision has become incontestable. The executable copy is issued by the record officer of the office of the court with jurisdiction in accordance with section 68.
(1) The fee in the proceedings of the administrative authority is set according to the regulatory fine which has been assessed against the person concerned in the regulatory fining notice. If a regulatory fine is assessed against a legal person or an association of persons in accordance with section 30, a fee is levied on the legal person or association of persons which is measured in line with the regulatory fine imposed on them. In assessing a regulatory fine, 5 % of the amount of the assessed regulatory fine is levied as a fee, but at least 25 euros and no more than 7,500 euros.
(2) If the administrative authority has rendered a final decision in the case of section 25a of the Road Traffic Act, the fee is 20 euros.
(3) The following fees are levied as expenses:
2. a flat amount of 3.50 euros for each service with notice of delivery, registered item with advice of delivery, or by personnel of the administrative authority;
4. Expenditure for publication; expenditures is not collected for the announcement in an electronic information and communication system if the fee is not calculated for the individual case, or not for an individual set of proceedings;
5. the amounts to be paid in accordance with the Justice Remuneration and Compensation Act, even if no payments are to be made for reasons of reciprocity, to simplify administrative matters, or for comparable reasons; if no fee is to be levied because of section 1 (2) sentence 2 of the Justice Remuneration and Compensation Act, the amount is levied which would have been payable without this provision; if the expenditure is caused by various legal matters, it is adequately apportioned to the individual legal matters; expenses for translators consulted to enforce the rights of blind persons or persons with impaired vision (section 191a (1) of the Court Constitution Act), as well as expenses for experts arising as a result of the investigation of an accused person in accordance with section 43 (2) of the Youth Courts Act (Jugendgerichtsgesetz), are not levied; expenses for sign language interpreters are only levied in accordance with sections 464c, 467a (1) sentence 2 in conjunction with section 467 (2) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure;
6. with regard to out-of-office business transactions
a) the compensation (travel costs, reimbursement of expenses) granted to personnel of the administrative authority on the basis of legal provisions,
b) and the expenditure for making premises available,
c) for the use of official vehicles, 0.30 euros for each kilometre driven;
expenditure caused by various legal matters is adequately apportioned to the individual legal matters;
7. amounts to be paid to attorneys;
8. the expenditure for the transportation of persons;
9. amounts granted to destitute persons for travelling to the place of a hearing, an examination or investigation and back, up to the amounts to be paid in accordance with the Justice Remuneration and Compensation Act;
10. amounts payable to third parties for
a) the transportation of animals and items, with the exception of postal fees accruing therefrom; the safekeeping of animals and items, as well as the feeding of animals;
b) the search or examination of premises and items, including measures in preparation for the search or examination;
c) surveillance of ships and aircraft;
11. the costs of coercive detention;
12. amounts payable in accordance with section 12 of the Federal Fees Act (Bundesgebührengesetz), with Part 5 of the Act on Consular Services (Konsulargesetz), and with the Special Fees Ordinance of the Federal Foreign Office (Besondere Gebührenverordnung des Auswärtigen Amts) in accordance with section 22 (4) of the Federal Fees Act in the context of administrative assistance;
13. fees payable to German authorities for the performance of their own tasks, and the amounts due to these authorities, public facilities, or their personnel, replacing expenditure of the nature designated in numbers 1 to 11, even if for reasons of reciprocity, to simplify administrative matters, or for comparable reasons, no payments are to be made; the amount of this expenditure is limited by the minimum amounts for the designated expenditure;
14. the amounts due to foreign agencies, institutions or persons abroad, as well as costs of international mutual legal and administrative assistance, even if no payments are to be made for reasons of reciprocity, to simplify administrative matters, or for comparable reasons.
(4) If an administrative authority of the Federation has issued the regulatory fining notice, section 14 (2), as well as sections 19 to 21 of the Administrative Costs Act dated 23 June 1970 (Federal Law Gazette I, page 821) in the version applicable until 14 August 2013, apply to the cancellation of costs in case of improper treatment of subject matter, as well as to the cancellation, remission, lapse and reimbursement of costs, or costs falling under the statute of limitation, otherwise the pertinent legal provisions of the Land apply.
(5) Persons requesting transmittal of files are charged a flat-rate of 12 euros as expenses per item transmitted, including return by the authorities. No flat rate is charged if the file is kept in electronic form, and if it is transmitted by electronic means.
Section 108
Legal remedy and enforcement
(1) In the proceedings of the administrative authority, the request for a court decision in accordance with section 62 is admissible against
1. the separate administrative cost notice,
2. the notice assessing administrative costs (section 106), and
3. the assessed amount of fees and expenses.
In cases falling under numbers 1 and 2, the request must be submitted within two weeks after service of the notice; immediate recourse against the decision of the court in cases falling under number 2 is admissible if the value of the matter in controversy exceeds two hundred euros.
(2) Sections 89 and 90 (1) apply accordingly to the enforcement of the costs of the regulatory fining proceedings.
II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION OFFICE
(1) If, upon the objection against the regulatory fining notice, the public prosecution office discontinues the proceedings before submitting the files to the court, it renders the decision in accordance with section 467a subsections (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) Within two weeks after service, a decision by the court may be requested against the decision of the public prosecution office; section 50 (2), sections 52 and 62 (2) sentences 1 and 2, and section 108 (1) second half of sentence 2, apply accordingly.
(3) The decision on the request for assessment (section 464b sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) is rendered by the record officer of the public prosecution office. The court with jurisdiction in accordance with section 68 decides on the reminder against the assessment order of the record officer of the office.
III. PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING ADMISSIBILITY OF THE OBJECTION
Section 109
Costs in case of withdrawal and rejection of objection
(1) If the notice of the administrative authority concerning the dismissal of
1. the objection (section 69 (1)), or
2. the request for restitution of the status quo ante because of failure to observe the period for filing an objection
is rescinded in the proceedings in accordance with section 62, the final decision in accordance with section 464 subsections (1) and (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure also applies to the costs and expenses of these proceedings.
(2) If the objection of the person concerned to the regulatory fining notice is dismissed (sections 70 and 74 (2) sentence 1), he or she also bears the costs of the court proceedings.
IV. EXPENSES OF THE PERSON CONCERNED
(1) If, in a regulatory fining notice because of the offence, only a regulatory fine of up to ten euros has been assessed against the person concerned, attorney's fees and expenses are only considered as necessary expenses (section 464a (2) number 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) if it was necessary to appoint an attorney due to the difficult factual and legal situation, or the importance of the matter.
(2) Insofar as the person concerned has incurred expenses which could have been avoided if he or she had submitted mitigating circumstances in time, it is possible to dispense with charging the Treasury with such costs.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
COMPENSATION FOR PROSECUTION MEASURES
(1) The decision on the obligation to pay compensation for a loss of property which has been caused by a prosecution measure in regulatory fining proceedings (section 8 of the Act on Compensation for Criminal Prosecution Measures) is rendered by the administrative authority by a separate notice once it has concluded such proceedings.
(2) A request for a court decision on notice in accordance with section 62 is admissible within two weeks of service. Immediate appeal is admissible against the court decision.
(3) In cases falling under subsection (1), the administrative authority decides on the claim for compensation (section 10 of the Act on Compensation for Criminal Prosecution Measures).
(4) The Federation is liable to pay compensation (section 15 of the Act on Compensation for Criminal Prosecution Measures) in cases falling under subsection (1), unless otherwise provided by the law, if an administrative authority of the Federation conducts the proceedings, otherwise the Land is liable.
CHAPTER TWELVE
FILING AND COMMUNICATION DURING THE PROCEEDINGS
Section 110a
Electronic filing; power to issue statutory instruments
(1) The files may be kept in electronic form. The Federal Government and the Land governments determine for their fields, by statutory instrument, the point in time from which the files are to be kept in electronic form. In doing so, they may restrict the introduction of electronic files to individual courts or authorities, or to generally determined proceedings, and may provide that files which were established in paper form may be continued in paper form, even after the introduction of electronic files; if the possibility to restrict is taken up, the statutory instrument may provide that an administrative provision, which is published, regulate the proceedings in which the files are to be kept in electronic form. The empowerment may be transferred to the competent Federal or Land ministries by statutory instrument.
(1a) The Federal Government and the Land governments may determine by legal ordinance, each for their respective areas, that files which were established in paper form prior to 1 January 2026 are to be continued in electronic form from a specific date or event onwards. Authorisation of continuation in electronic form may be restricted to individual courts or authorities, or to generally-determined procedures; if use is made of this possibility, it may be determined in the legal ordinance that an administrative provision, which is to be publicly notified, regulates in which procedures files are to be continued in electronic form. The legal ordinance of the Federal Government does not require the approval of the Bundesrat. The authorisation may be transferred by a legal ordinance to the competent Federal or Land ministries.
(1b) Documents and parts of files which are categorised as confidential matters higher than CONFIDENTIAL: FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY in accordance with the instructions of the Federation or the Länder on confidential matters may be drawn up, continued and transmitted in paper form up to 31 December 2035. Documents and parts of files which are categorised as confidential matters as CONFIDENTIAL: FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY in accordance with the instructions of the Federation or the Länder on confidential matters may be transmitted in paper form up to 31 December 2035. The provisions on classification of information for handling confidential matters remain unaffected.
(1c) The Federal Government and the Land governments may determine by legal ordinance, each for their respective areas, that files which were established in electronic form may be continued in paper form from a specific event onwards up to 31 December 2025. Authorisation of continuation in paper form may be restricted to individual courts or authorities, or to generally-determined procedures; if use is made of this possibility, it may be provided in the legal ordinance that an administrative provision, which is to be publicly notified, regulates in which procedures files are to be continued in electronic form. The legal ordinance of the Federal Government does not require the approval of the Bundesrat. The empowerment may be transferred by a legal ordinance to the competent Federal or Land ministries.
(2) The Federal Government and the Land governments determine for their fields by statutory instrument the organisational and technical framework corresponding to the state-of-the-art which is to be adhered to for electronic filing, including the requirements of data protection and accessibility. They may transfer the power to the competent Federal or Land Ministries by means of a statutory instrument.
(3) The Federal Government determines, by statutory instrument with the consent of the Bundesrat, the standards applicable to the transmission of electronic files between authorities and courts, as well as those applicable to the inspection of electronic files. It may transfer the empowerment to the competent Federal Ministries by statutory instrument without the consent of the Bundesrat.
(4) Authorities within the meaning of this chapter are deemed to be the public prosecution offices and administrative authorities, including the enforcement authorities, as well as the authorities of the police service insofar as the latter perform tasks in regulatory fine proceedings.
Section 110b
Electronic forms; empowerment to issue statutory instruments
The Federal Government may introduce electronic forms by statutory instrument with the consent of the Bundesrat. The statutory instrument may provide that the information contained in the forms is to be transmitted, completely or partly, in a structured machine-readable form. The forms are made available on the Internet for use on a communication platform to be determined in the statutory instrument. The statutory instrument may provide that the form user may be identified by using the electronic proof of identity in accordance with section 18 of the Act on Identity Cards (Personalausweisgesetz), with section 12 of the Electronic Identity Card Act (eID-Karte-Gesetz), or with section 78 (5) of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), in derogation from section 32a (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Federal Government may transfer the power to the competent Federal or Land ministries by means of a statutory instrument.
Section 110c
Corresponding application of the Code of Criminal Procedure to filing and communication in proceedings
Sections 32a, 32b, and 32d to 32f, of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the statutory instruments issued on the basis of section 32a (2) sentence 2 and (4) sentence 1 number 6, of section 32b (5), and of section 32f subsection (6), of the Code of Criminal Procedure, apply accordingly in all other cases. In derogation from section 32b (1) sentence 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in case of an electronic document that requires to be signed being prepared in an automated process, the accompanying order is signed in its place. In derogation from section 32e (4) sentence 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, source documents need not be stored or kept if the transmitted documents additionally contain a note affixed with a qualified electronic signature to the end that the content and image of the document to be placed on file correspond to the source document.
PART III
SPECIFIC REGULATORY OFFENCES
CHAPTER ONE
VIOLATION OF GOVERNMENTAL ORDERS
Section 111
Stating false names
(1) Whoever makes a false statement to a competent authority, to a competent office-holder, or to a competent soldier of the Federal Armed Forces, or refuses to make a statement concerning his or her first name, family name or name at birth, place or date of birth, marital status, profession, place of residence, address or nationality, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) A perpetrator who through negligence fails to recognise the competence of the authority, of the office-holder, or of the soldier, is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) The regulatory offence in cases falling under subsection (1) may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine not exceeding one thousand euros, in cases falling under subsection (2) by a regulatory fine of up to five hundred euros, unless the act may be sanctioned in accordance with other provisions.
Section 112
Violation of the house rules of a legislative organ
(1) Whoever acts contrary to orders issued by a legislative organ of the Federation or of a Land, or by its President, concerning entry to the building of the legislative organ or the land belonging to it, or concerning length of stay, or security and order in the building or on the land in general, or in a specific case, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine of up to five thousand euros.
(3) In case of orders issued by a legislative organ of the Federation or by its President, subsections (1) and (2) apply neither to members of the Bundestag nor to members of the Bundesrat and the Federal Government and their representatives, in case of orders by a legislative organ of a Land or by its President, neither to members of the legislative organs of this Land, nor to members of the Land government and its commissioners.
Section 113
Unauthorised gatherings
(1) Whoever joins a public gathering, or fails to leave it in cases where a holder of sovereign power has lawfully requested the crowd to disperse three times, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) A perpetrator who negligently fails to recognise that the request is lawful is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) In cases falling under subsection (1), a regulatory fine not exceeding one thousand euros, and in cases under subsection (2), a regulatory fine of up to five hundred euros, may be imposed in respect of the regulatory offence.
Section 114
Entering military installations
(1) Whoever, intentionally or negligently, contrary to a prohibition of the competent unit, enters a military facility or installation, or a locality which, in compliance with the fulfilment of official tasks of the Federal Armed Forces, is off limits for security reasons, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
Section 115
Contact with prisoners
(1) Whoever, without authorisation,
1. transmits objects or messages to a prisoner or receives objects or messages from him or her, or
2. establishes contact with a prisoner who is inside a penal institution, by words or signs from outside,
is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) Whoever, on the basis of a decision rendered by the criminal court, or as a temporarily arrested person, is in the custody of an authority, is deemed to be a prisoner.
(3) The regulatory offence and the attempt to commit a regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
CHAPTER TWO
VIOLATION OF PUBLIC ORDER
Section 116
Public instigation to regulatory offences
(1) Whoever in public, at a meeting or by dissemination of content (section 11 (3) of the Criminal Code), instigates an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine. The maximum amount of the regulatory fine is assessed according to the maximum amount of the regulatory fine provided for the act to which the perpetrator has instigated.
Section 117
Non-permissible noise
(1) Whoever, without a justified reason, or to a non-permissible extent, or to an extent avoidable under the circumstances, causes noise which is suitable to create considerable disturbance to the general public or to the neighbourhood, or to inflict harm upon the health of another, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned with a regulatory fine of up to five thousand euros, unless the act may be sanctioned in accordance with other provisions.
(1) Whoever commits a grossly offensive act which is likely to disturb or endanger the public and to prejudice public order is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, unless the act may be sanctioned in accordance with other provisions.
Section 119
Grossly offensive and disturbing acts
1. in public, in a manner which is likely to disturb others, or
2. in a grossly offensive manner by disseminating content (section 11 (3) of the Criminal Code) or making it publicly accessible,
offers, announces or recommends a possibility for the performance of sexual acts, or publishes statements of such contents, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) Whoever offers, announces, recommends or publishes in the manner designated in subsection (1), means or objects serving sexual use, or publishes statements of such content, is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) Whoever makes sexual content (section 11 (3) of the Criminal Code) accessible in public places where this is grossly offensive is furthermore deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(4) The regulatory offence may, in cases falling under subsection (1) number 1, be sanctioned by a regulatory fine not exceeding one thousand euros, in other cases by a regulatory fine not exceeding ten thousand euros.
Section 120
Prohibition to engage in prostitution
(1) Whoever acts contrary to a prohibition issued by statutory instrument to engage in prostitution at certain places, or at certain times during the day, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
Section 121
Keeping dangerous animals
(1) Whoever, intentionally or negligently,
1. allows free movement to a dangerous animal of a species living in the wild, or to a vicious animal, or
2. has responsibility for the supervision of such animal and fails to take the necessary precautionary measures to avoid damage which may be caused by the animal,
is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
(1) Whoever, intentionally or negligently, due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants, places himself or herself in a state of intoxication, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence if he or she commits in such a state an act which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine, and a regulatory fine cannot be assessed against him or her for such an act because, due to intoxication, he or she has not acted reprehensibly, or because it cannot be ruled out that he or she has not acted reprehensibly.
(2) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine. The regulatory fine may not exceed the amount of the regulatory fine which is provided for the act committed while being in a state of intoxication.
Section 123
Confiscation, rendering unusable
(1) Objects used in connection with a regulatory offence in accordance with section 119 may be confiscated.
(2) When confiscating incorporations of content (section 11 (3) of the Criminal Code), it may be ordered in the cases of section 119 subsections (1) and (2) that
1. confiscation be extended to all incorporations, and
2. devices used or designed for production be rendered unusable,
where the incorporations and devices are in the possession of the perpetrator or of another person for whom the perpetrator has acted, or are designed for dissemination by these persons. Such order is however given only as required to prevent acts which may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine in accordance with section 119 (1) or (2). Section 27 (2) applies to the confiscation, section 27 and 28 apply accordingly to rendering objects unusable.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply in cases falling under section 119 (2) only to advertising material and to the devices used or designed for its production.
CHAPTER THREE
ABUSE OF STATE INSIGNIA OR INSIGNIA PROTECTED BY THE STATE
Section 124
Use of coats of arms or official flags
(1) Whoever, without authorisation, uses
1. the coat of arms of the Federation or of a Land, or the Federal Eagle, or the pertinent part of a coat of arms of a Land, or
2. an official flag of the Federation or of a Land, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) Coats of arms, parts of coats of arms and flags which so closely resemble those designated in subsection (1) that they may be mistaken for them, are deemed equivalent to those.
(3) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
Section 125
Use of the red cross or of the Swiss coat of arms
(1) Whoever, without authorisation, uses the insignia of the Red Cross against a white background or the designation "Red Cross" or "Geneva Cross", is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) Whoever, without authorisation, uses the coat of arms of the Swiss Confederation, is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) Insignia, designations and coats of arms which so closely resemble those designated in subsections (1) and (2) that they may be mistaken for them, are deemed equivalent to those.
(4) Subsections (1) and (3) apply accordingly to those insignia or designations which are equivalent, in accordance with international law, to the insignia of the red cross against a white background, or to the designation "Red Cross".
(5) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
Section 126
Abuse of vocational clothing or badges
(1) Whoever, without authorisation, wears
1. vocational clothing or a badge which are state-recognised or approved in the Federal Republic being designed for persons engaged in nursing or welfare work, or
2. vocational clothing or a badge of a religious association,
recognised by a church or another religious association under public law, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) Working clothes and badges which so closely resemble those designated in subsection (1) that they may be mistaken for them are deemed equivalent to those.
(3) The regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine.
Section 127
Production or utilisation of items which may be used to falsify money or documents
(1) Whoever, without the written permission of the competent office, or of the persons authorised to give such permission, produces or procures for himself or herself, or for another person, offers, keeps, assigns to another or imports or exports
1. plates, moulds, printing devices, printing blocks, negatives, stencils, computer programs or similar devices which according to their type are suited for the production of
a) money, securities equivalent to money (section 151 of the Criminal Code), official stamps, payment cards within the meaning of section 152a (4), of the Criminal Code, cheques, promissory notes or guaranteed payment cards within the meaning of section 152b (4) of the Criminal Code; or
b) public documents or stamps for certification;
2. blank forms for official documents or stamps for certification,
3. paper which is similar to such type of paper, or which so closely resembles it as to be mistaken for it, being designed for the production of paper designated in numbers 1 or 2 especially prepared against counterfeiting,
4. holograms or other elements serving to ensure the items designated in number 1 (a) against counterfeiting,
is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The perpetrator who negligently fails to recognise that there is no written permission of the competent office, or of the person authorised to give such permission, is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) Subsection (1) also applies to money, securities, stamps, documents, stamps for certification, payment cards within the meaning of section 152a (4) of the Criminal Code, cheques, promissory notes and guaranteed payment cards within the meaning of section 152b (4) of the Criminal Code originating in a foreign currency area.
(4) The regulatory offence may, in cases falling under subsection (1), be sanctioned by a regulatory fine of up to ten thousand euros, in cases falling under subsection (2) by a regulatory fine of up to five thousand euros.
Section 128
Production or dissemination of prints similar to paper money or illustrations
(1) Whoever produces or disseminates
1. printed papers or illustrations which, according to their type, are likely
a) to be confused with paper money or securities equivalent to paper money (section 151 of the Criminal Code) being in circulation, or
b) to be used to produce such papers, or which may be confused with others
2. produces, procures for himself or herself or for another, offers, keeps, assigns to another, or imports or exports, plates, moulds, printing devices, printing blocks, negatives, stencils, computer programs or similar devices which, according to their type, are suited for the production of printed papers or illustrations designated in number 1,
is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(2) The perpetrator who negligently fails to recognise the aptitude for confusion or production within the meaning of subsection (1) number 1 is also deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.
(3) Subsection (1) also applies to paper money and securities originating in a foreign currency area.
(4) In cases falling under subsection (1), the regulatory offence may be sanctioned by a regulatory fine of up to ten thousand euros, and by a regulatory fine of up to five thousand euros in the case of subsection (2).
Objects used in connection with a regulatory offence in accordance with sections 124, as well as 126 to 128 may be confiscated.
CHAPTER FOUR
VIOLATION OF OBLIGATORY SUPERVISION IN OPERATIONS AND ENTERPRISES
(1) Whoever, as the owner of an operation or undertaking, intentionally or negligently omits to take the supervisory measures required to prevent contraventions, within the operation or undertaking, of duties incumbent on the owner and the violation of which carries a criminal penalty or a regulatory fine, is deemed to have committed a regulatory offence in a case where such contravention has been committed as would have been prevented, or made much more difficult, if there had been proper supervision. The required supervisory measures also comprise appointment, careful selection and surveillance of supervisory personnel.
(2) An operation or undertaking within the meaning of subsection (1) includes a public enterprise.
(3) Where the breach of duty carries a criminal penalty, the regulatory offence may carry a regulatory fine not exceeding one million euros. Section 30 (2) sentence 3 is applicable. Where the breach of duty carries a regulatory fine, the maximum regulatory fine for breach of the duty of supervision is determined by the maximum regulatory fine imposable for the breach of duty. Sentence 3 also applies in the case of a breach of duty carrying simultaneously a criminal penalty and a regulatory fine, provided that the maximum regulatory fine imposable for the breach of duty exceeds the maximum in accordance with sentence 1.
(1) The administrative authority within the meaning of section 36 (1) number 1
1. in case of regulatory offences in accordance with section 112 involving contraventions of orders
a) issued by the Bundestag or its President, is the director at the German Bundestag;
b) issued by the Bundesrat or its President, is the director of the Bundesrat;
2. concerning regulatory offences in accordance with section 114, is the Federal Office of Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services of the Bundeswehr;
3. in case of regulatory offences in accordance with section 124, concerning a coat of arms or an official flag of the Federation, is the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community;
4. in case of regulatory offences in accordance with sections 127 and 128, concerning
a) securities of the Federation or its special funds, is the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority;
b) money or paper for the production of money, is the Deutsche Bundesbank (German Federal Bank);
c) official stamps, is the Federal Ministry responsible for the area in which the stamps have been produced or issued.
Sentence 1 number 4a and c also apply to regulatory offences involving corresponding securities or stamps originating from a foreign currency area. Section 36 (3) applies accordingly in cases falling under numbers 3 and 4c of sentence 1.
(2) In cases falling under sections 122 and 130, the regulatory offence is prosecuted only upon request or authorisation if the act committed in a state of intoxication, or the violation of duty, could only be prosecuted upon request or by authorisation.
(3) The procedural provisions also apply accordingly to prosecutions for regulatory offences in accordance with sections 116, 122 and 130, applicable to prosecution of acts committed upon instigation, acts committed in a state of intoxication, or violations of duty which would be applicable in cases falling under sections 130 if the violation of duty subject to sanctioning would be subject to a regulatory fine only.
Section 132
Restriction of basic rights
The basic rights of inviolability of the person (Article 2 paragraph (2) sentence 1 of the Basic Law), the freedom of the individual (Article 2 paragraph (2) sentence 2 of the Basic Law), and the inviolability of the home (Article 13 of the Basic Law) are restricted under the provisions of this Law.
Section 133
Transitional provisions
(1) Attendance by the person concerned at the main hearing and the proceedings in absentia is in accordance with the law applicable at the time when the first summons to the main hearing is sent to the person concerned.
(2) The admissibility and admission of legal remedies are effected in accordance with the law applicable at the time when a judgment is delivered or a ruling is received by the registry.
(3) Resumption of the proceedings is effected in accordance with the law applicable at the time when an application is received by the court.
(4) In the proceedings of the administrative authority, fees and expenses are levied in accordance with the law applicable at the time when the regulatory fining notice was issued.
(5) Section 49c does not apply to files existing on 1 October 2002 until 1 October 2003.
(6) If the order of confiscation of the value of the proceeds of the offence relating to an act that is subject to a regulatory fine committed prior to 1 July 2017 is ruled on after this date, section 29a applies in the version of the Act Reforming the Siphoning off of Assets under Criminal Law (Gesetz zur Reform der strafrechtlichen Vermögensabschöpfung) of 13 April 2017 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 872). Section 29a applies in the version applicable until 1 July 2017 in proceedings in which a ruling has already been handed down regarding the forfeiture of the replacement value prior to 1 July 2017.
Section 134
Transitional arrangement regarding the Act on the Introduction of Electronic Files in Criminal Matters and the Further Promotion of Electronic Legal Transactions (Gesetz zur Einführung der elektronischen Akte in Strafsachen und zur weiteren Förderung des elektronischen Rechtsverkehrs); powers to issue statutory instruments
The Federal Government and the Land governments may determine by statutory instrument in their respective areas that the submission of electronic documents, in derogation from section 32a of the Code of Criminal Procedure, is not possible until as per 1 January 2019 or 2020, and that section 110a in the version applicable on 31 December 2017 continues to apply until 31 December 2018 or 2019, respectively. They may transfer the power in accordance with sentence 1 to the competent Federal or Land ministries by means of a statutory instrument.