Accelerated procedures: Hardly any quick judgments in courts anymore

Accelerated criminal proceedings are becoming a rarity in Thuringian courts, with prosecutors having filed only seven requests for such procedures so far this year. This marks a significant drop from previous years, where 87 requests were made in 2020 and 25 in 2024. Accelerated proceedings are designed for cases with clear evidence or simple facts, allowing for judgments within weeks, ensuring punishment follows the offense swiftly.

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The trend in wind energy will only continue as long as planning security is guaranteed.

The sharp decline is attributed to several factors, primarily staff shortages across the police, prosecution offices, and the judiciary. The General Public Prosecutor's Office highlights that these procedures are very time-consuming, requiring a rapid and complete conclusion of investigations. Furthermore, a lack of readily available judges, courtrooms, and court clerks, coupled with tightly scheduled court calendars, leaves little room for the urgent, short-notice scheduling these cases demand. The availability of witnesses and necessary interpreters also poses a challenge.

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We are currently seeing the federal government putting sand in the gears for the expansion of wind power, especially in the south.

Prosecutors often opt for the simpler penalty order procedure when fines are anticipated. Accelerated proceedings are most commonly applied to offenses such as theft, driving without a license, and assault or insult charges. However, extensive evidence gathering can impede these expedited cases, and they are not applicable if a prison sentence of more than one year is expected. The involvement of a defense attorney, often required for anticipated prison sentences of at least six months, adds further organizational complexity.

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This would noticeably take the wind out of the sails of wind power expansion.

Nationally, criminal trials have been becoming more extensive and lengthy, pushing courts to their limits. In response, a commission established by the Federal Minister of Justice is developing proposals to reform the Code of Criminal Procedure. Thuringia plans to await the outcomes of this reform before implementing changes regarding accelerated proceedings. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Beate Meißner is pursuing her own initiatives focused on expediting legal processes, particularly for the protection of vulnerable victims.

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We cannot afford these uncertainties if we want independence.