Court · Germany
Strafbefehl — a criminal conviction on paper, and two weeks to answer it
A Strafbefehl is a criminal conviction issued without any court hearing — the court decided on the file alone. If nothing is done for two weeks, the conviction stands exactly as written.
How serious: enforcement closeAlso called: penal order, Strafbefehl des Amtsgerichts
A Strafbefehl is a criminal conviction issued on paper, without a trial — used for less serious offenses such as fare dodging, shoplifting, or drunk driving. The Amtsgericht issued it on the written application of the Staatsanwaltschaft (StPO §407).
It can impose a Geldstrafe in daily rates (Tagessätze), a driving ban, confiscation, licence withdrawal — and even a suspended prison sentence of up to one year if you have defense counsel (StPO §407).
The court only assessed probability on the file — you were never heard in person. If you do nothing for two weeks, you are convicted exactly as written: the Strafbefehl then stands equal to a final criminal judgment (StPO §410 Abs. 3).
Who sends it
An Amtsgericht — a local criminal court — on the written application of the Staatsanwaltschaft, the public prosecutor's office. The court decides without a trial (StPO §407).
A yellow envelope with a date stamp from an Amtsgericht; the title 'Strafbefehl'; the Staatsanwaltschaft and an Aktenzeichen (for example a 'Cs' number); the offense; the number and amount of Tagessätze (daily rates); any Fahrverbot; and instructions about the two-week Einspruch.
The deadline
Einspruch within 2 weeks of service, at the issuing Amtsgericht, in writing or declared at the registry (StPO §410).
An Einspruch can be filed within 2 weeks of service, at the issuing Amtsgericht, in writing or declared at the registry (StPO §410). The period runs from Zustellung — the delivery date stamped on the yellow envelope.
If you do nothing
The Strafbefehl becomes equivalent to a final criminal judgment — StPO §410 Abs. 3: 'Soweit gegen einen Strafbefehl nicht rechtzeitig Einspruch erhoben worden ist, steht er einem rechtskräftigen Urteil gleich.' You are then convicted; the fine is collected, and if a Geldstrafe cannot be collected, it is replaced by imprisonment — two daily rates equal one day of Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe (StGB §43).
Compute your date
The rule above is what the law sets. Put in the dates on your own letter and it becomes a date.
Don't miss this date
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We keep only what the reminder needs — type, dates, sender — encrypted. Delete it any time.
How it escalates
- 01The conviction becomes final, with the force of a normal criminal judgment (StPO §410).
- 02The Geldstrafe and costs are enforced.
- 03If the fine proves uncollectible: Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe — one day of imprisonment per two Tagessätze, minimum one day (StGB §43).
- 04Any driving ban or other measure in the Strafbefehl takes effect.
How to respond
Response types
- File the objectionEinspruch gegen den Strafbefehl · § 410 StPO
- Ask for more timeAntrag auf Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand · §§ 44, 45 StPO
Where and how
- Brief an das Gericht
- Einschreiben (Übergabe-Einschreiben / Einschreiben mit Rückschein)
- Telefax an das Gericht
- Erklärung zu Protokoll der Geschäftsstelle des Gerichts
- Sicherer Übermittlungsweg (Mein Justizpostfach / eBO; beA und beBPo für Berufsträger)
- Einfache E-Mail
- Telefon
What makes it count
A response is in time only when it has reached the Amtsgericht that issued the Strafbefehl. §410(1) StPO gives two weeks from service and allows the Einspruch schriftlich oder zu Protokoll der Geschäftsstelle — of that court. The date of posting does not preserve the period. Where it is missed, the cure is Wiedereinsetzung: the application runs one week from the day the obstacle falls away, goes to the court at which the period should have been observed, and the missed act must be performed inside that same week (§45 StPO).
Common questions
Was I already convicted?
The Strafbefehl is a conviction issued on the file, without a hearing. It becomes equivalent to a final criminal judgment only if no Einspruch is filed within 2 weeks of service (StPO §410).
Can the sentence get worse if I object?
It can. After an Einspruch the case normally goes to a real trial, and the 'Verbot der Schlechterstellung' does not apply there — the sentence can turn out higher.
What happens if the fine cannot be collected?
It is replaced by imprisonment: two daily rates equal one day of Ersatzfreiheitsstrafe, minimum one day (StGB §43).
What if I never saw the letter in time?
If the two weeks passed without your fault, Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand can be applied for.
Sources
Facts verified against the sources below on 28 August 2026.