Zeugenladung

Anyone who is summoned as a witness in a criminal or civil case is obliged to appear at the specified date.

If you are summoned as a witness in criminal or civil proceedings, you are obliged to appear at the specified date. If you fail to appear, you must expect that a fine will be imposed - or even imprisonment if you fail to pay - and that you will be ordered to pay the costs of the hearing at which you were unable to appear due to your absence. Furthermore, your absence may result in you being forcibly produced by the police.

Witnesses are generally obliged to testify. Only close relatives of the accused or the parties to the proceedings have the right to refuse to testify. You will be informed of this at the beginning of your testimony. You also do not need to make any statements that would put yourself or one of your close relatives at risk of being prosecuted for a criminal offense or a misdemeanor.

If you are unable to appear on the day of the hearing due to a serious reason (e.g. serious illness), please inform the court immediately. You are only released from the obligation to appear at the hearing if you are expressly informed of this by the court; in case of doubt, it is advisable to contact the court by telephone.

As a witness, you are entitled to compensation (e.g. reimbursement of travel expenses), which must be claimed within three months of the hearing. You will be informed of the details in connection with your summons.

To the court that has summoned you as a witness.