Offizialprinzip
ex-officio principle (state prosecutes crimes without victim complaint)
noun o-fit-see-AHL-prin-tsip Rare
Origin: from Latin officium (duty)
Usage Note
Offizialprinzip means that the state has a duty to prosecute certain crimes regardless of whether the victim requests it. It contrasts with the Antragsdelikt rule for minor offences.
Examples
"Mord unterliegt dem Offizialprinzip — die Staatsanwaltschaft muss von Amts wegen ermitteln."
Natural Translation
Murder is subject to the ex-officio principle — the public prosecutor must investigate on its own initiative.
Literal Translation
Murder underlies the ex-officio-principle — the state-prosecutor must from office's-sake investigate.
Related Words
- Abmahnschreiben formal warning letter (demanding cessation of unlawful conduct)
- Abschiebung deportation
- Akteneinsicht access to files
- Amtsgericht local court
- Amtspflicht official duty; duty of care owed by a public official
- Anfechtungsklage action for annulment
- Angeklagte defendant
- Anhörung hearing; right to be heard (before a decision is made)
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