Legal Assistance for Incidents at the Airport
Those who are detained, questioned or accused at the airport encounter experienced authorities with standardised procedures and tight timeframes. Save our emergency number in your mobile phone now, because if something happens at the airport, every minute counts.
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Immediate Legal Representation in the High-Pressure Legal Environment of the Airport
Why Immediate Legal Intervention is Decisive
Airport authorities work to tight timeframes. The first interview frequently takes place within a few hours of the check, seizures of cash or objects are initiated within minutes, and custodial hearings under § 128 StPO must take place without delay, at the latest on the day after the arrest. In this phase, what is decided is whether proceedings are expanded or brought to an early close. Our emergency service assumes representation immediately upon first contact, examines the lawfulness of the measure, secures your right to silence under § 136 StPO and communicates directly with the Federal Police, customs investigation units and the public prosecutor's office.
Customs Criminal Law and Cash Violations
Mandates at airports frequently arise from cash checks. Those travelling from or to a non-EU country who carry cash or equivalent means of payment of 10,000 euros or more must declare this in writing under § 12a ZollVG and EU Regulation 2018/1672. Violations constitute administrative offences that can be sanctioned with fines of up to one million euros and regularly lead to a clearing procedure with provisional seizure. We represent you in the clearing procedure, structure the presentation of the origin and intended use of the funds and coordinate the approach closely with the criminal defence.
Employment Law Protection for Airport Staff
Incidents at the workplace of an airport carry particular significance. A termination of employment frequently coincides with the withdrawal of the security clearance under § 7 LuftSiG, which is an essential requirement for security-relevant activities. The loss of clearance effectively operates as a professional ban throughout the entire airport area. We represent in cases of summary dismissal under § 626 BGB, conduct unfair dismissal proceedings under §§ 1 ff. KSchG and accompany the procedure for regaining clearance before the competent aviation security authority.
Specialised Legal Representation with International Coordination
GLADICA Lawyers offers specialised legal representation for all incidents at the airport, with immediate availability, international coordination and criminal law precision. Our clients benefit from rapid intervention, discreet conduct of proceedings and in-depth knowledge of the particular procedures at airports and the authorities involved, whether the Federal Police, customs investigation units, the public prosecutor's office or the aviation security authority.
Legal Support for All Airport Incidents
Our Services at a Glance
Immediate criminal defence in cases of arrest, provisional detention under § 127 StPO and custodial hearings
Defence in cases involving drug allegations under the BtMG and the Cannabis Control Act in connection with entry and exit
Assistance in customs and cash checks under § 12a ZollVG including clearing procedures
Defence in cases involving document offences under §§ 267, 276 StGB, in particular forged passports and visas
Representation in cases of alleged resistance to law enforcement officers under § 113 StGB and assault on law enforcement officers under § 114 StGB
Defence in cases involving allegations of bodily harm and theft under §§ 223 ff., 242 StGB in the airport context
Defence in cases involving violations of the Aviation Security Act (LuftSiG) and the Air Traffic Act (LuftVG)
Assistance in cases involving European and international arrest warrants, Interpol notices and extradition proceedings
Employment law representation in cases of dismissal and formal warnings of airport staff
Support in cases of withdrawal or refusal of security clearance under § 7 LuftSiG
Traffic law representation in cases of accidents, hit and run under § 142 StGB and administrative fine proceedings on airport grounds
Support during seizures, confiscations and searches of travel luggage
Typical Incident Categories at the Airport
Our cases cover all constellations that regularly arise in the high-speed environment of an airport. Drug allegations concern the importation, possession and trafficking under §§ 29 ff. BtMG as well as the carrying of cannabis contrary to the requirements of the Cannabis Control Act, even in small quantities with significant criminal law consequences. Customs offences typically arise from the failure to declare cash of 10,000 euros or more under § 12a ZollVG, with a parallel suspicion of money laundering under § 261 StGB or tax evasion under § 370 AO.
In addition, document offences involving forged passports, visas or boarding cards regularly occur, as do conflicts with security and control personnel, theft allegations in the duty-free area, bodily harm offences between passengers and aviation security violations involving prohibited items under § 11 LuftSiG. International detentions on the basis of European arrest warrants or Interpol Red Notices require the parallel conduct of multiple proceedings.
Traffic Law on Airport Grounds
Airports are partly public and partly private traffic areas with their own regulations. Accidents in car parks, access roads and no-stopping zones raise particular questions of liability and evidence that differ from ordinary road traffic accidents.
We represent in cases of hit and run under § 142 StGB, in administrative fine proceedings for stopping and parking violations, in cases of accidents involving rental cars and airport vehicles and in complex claims handling with leasing and car rental companies. In parallel, we always assess the employment law consequences for airport staff of a traffic incident on the operational grounds.
The importation, exportation and possession of controlled substances at entry or exit is prosecuted under §§ 29 ff. BtMG. Even after the Cannabis Control Act came into force, carrying cannabis across borders remains generally impermissible. This applies both upon entry from non-EU states and within the EU. Even small quantities regularly lead to the initiation of criminal proceedings at the airport. Medical cannabis requires special documentation and a country-specific legal assessment. We secure the right to silence from the first contact with the authorities, examine the lawfulness of the check and develop an early defence strategy.
Upon entry or exit from a non-EU country, § 12a ZollVG and EU Regulation 2018/1672 require a written declaration for cash or equivalent means of payment of 10,000 euros or more per person. Violations constitute administrative offences that can be sanctioned with fines of up to one million euros. The customs authorities regularly investigate a parallel suspicion of money laundering under § 261 StGB or tax evasion under § 370 AO. Seized cash can be retained for up to 30 days, with judicial extension to up to 90 days. We represent in the clearing procedure, structure the presentation of the origin and intended use of the funds and coordinate the approach closely with the criminal defence.
Allegations of document forgery under § 267 StGB, indirect false certification under § 271 StGB and falsification of evidential data under § 269 StGB arise at airports in particular in connection with forged passports, visas or boarding cards. Document forgery is sanctioned with custodial sentences of up to five years or a fine, with higher sentencing ranges in particularly serious cases. Residence law consequences and entry bans frequently follow. In cases of arrest on the basis of a European arrest warrant or an Interpol Red Notice, bail review, extradition proceedings under the IRG and coordination with defence lawyers in the requesting state must be conducted in parallel. We examine extradition obstacles and conduct proceedings strategically.
Allegations of resistance to law enforcement officers under § 113 StGB and assault on law enforcement officers under § 114 StGB arise in particular in connection with measures by the Federal Police or customs authorities. In conflicts with private security personnel, general offences such as bodily harm (§ 223 StGB), coercion (§ 240 StGB) or insult (§§ 185 ff. StGB) regularly arise instead. Bodily harm offences also occur between passengers, frequently under the influence of alcohol or during flight delays. We examine the proportionality of the official measure, secure witness statements and video recordings as evidence and develop a consistent defence strategy for all parallel proceedings.
Carrying prohibited items under § 11 LuftSiG and administrative offences under § 62 LuftSiG also affect travellers who carry relevant items in their hand luggage without being aware of it. Where weapons or weapon-like objects are concerned, additional criminal liability under the Weapons Act and the Explosives Act may arise. The boundary between administrative offence and criminal offence depends on the precise classification of the item carried and the traveller's intent. We examine the lawfulness of the control measure, the specific classification of the item seized and assess whether discontinuation of the proceedings is possible.
Security clearance under § 7 LuftSiG is a prerequisite for all activities in the security-relevant airport area. It covers in particular the checking of criminal records, police intelligence and further security-relevant information. Where clearance is not established, withdrawn or not renewed, the person concerned may no longer carry out any security-relevant activities. In practice, this regularly leads to the loss of employment or exclusion from certain operational areas. We conduct administrative law remedies against negative decisions by the aviation security authority and represent in parallel in cases of summary dismissal under § 626 BGB and unfair dismissal proceedings under §§ 1 ff. KSchG.
Why Clients Choose GLADICA Lawyers
Incidents at the airport require rapid availability, international experience and criminal law expertise in an environment with high time pressure. We work with discretion, respond at short notice and align our strategy precisely to the particular constellation of authorities involved, whether the Federal Police, customs investigation units, the public prosecutor's office or the aviation security authority. No mandate is delegated to junior associates.
Highly Specialised Lawyers
Experienced lawyers with specialised expertise in representing victims across all categories of criminal offences.
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30+ Years of Experience
Urgent legal help whenever you need it, including nights and weekends.
Multilingual Team
Legal representation in German, English and Russian.
Nationwide Representation
Representation before all German courts, from local courts to higher regional courts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Incidents at the Airport
Stay calm, make no statements on the substance of the matter and request legal assistance immediately. § 136 StPO grants you the right to silence; only personal details are mandatory. The Federal Police are required to inform you of this right. Our emergency service assumes representation immediately and communicates directly with the competent authority.
Upon entry or exit from a non-EU country, § 12a ZollVG and EU Regulation 2018/1672 require a written declaration for cash or equivalent means of payment of 10,000 euros or more per person. Within the EU, a duty to report applies upon request from customs. Cheques, precious metals and precious stones may also be treated as equivalent means of payment.
Customs can initially seize cash for up to 30 days under § 12a (7) ZollVG, with judicial extension to up to 90 days possible. In the subsequent clearing procedure, the origin, beneficial owner and intended use must be set out. We structure the presentation of evidence so that the conditions for the release of the funds are substantiated and existing grounds for suspicion are specifically countered.
The administrative offence under § 31a ZollVG can be sanctioned with a fine of up to one million euros. The specific amount depends on the sum involved, whether the violation was intentional or negligent and the economic circumstances. Through substantiated submissions, the prospects of a reduction in the fine can be significantly improved.
Carrying cannabis across borders remains generally impermissible even after the Cannabis Control Act. Importation and exportation are regularly criminal and can trigger proceedings under § 34 KCanG as well as the BtMG. This applies in principle within the EU as well. Even small quantities regularly lead to the initiation of criminal proceedings at the airport. Medical cannabis requires special documentation and a country-specific legal assessment.
Document forgery under § 267 StGB is sanctioned with a custodial sentence of up to five years or a fine; higher sentencing ranges apply in particularly serious cases. Residence law consequences and entry bans frequently follow. Immediate defence is decisive because the first statements have a significant influence on the further course of proceedings.
The Aviation Security Act prohibits the carrying of certain items in the security area. Violations can be sanctioned as administrative offences under § 62 LuftSiG. Where weapons or weapon-like objects are concerned, additional criminal liability under the Weapons Act may arise. We examine the lawfulness of the control measure, the specific classification of the item carried and whether discontinuation of the proceedings is possible.
Security clearance under § 7 LuftSiG is a prerequisite for activities in the security-relevant airport area. It covers in particular the checking of criminal records, police intelligence and further security-relevant information. Where clearance is not established, withdrawn or not renewed, the person may no longer carry out any security-relevant activities. Legal remedies can be filed against negative decisions and administrative court proceedings can be conducted. Employment law measures are frequently required in parallel to mitigate the consequences for the employment relationship.
In cases of arrest on the basis of a European arrest warrant or an Interpol Red Notice, multiple proceedings must be conducted in parallel: bail review in Germany, extradition proceedings under the IRG and coordination with defence lawyers in the requesting state. We examine extradition obstacles such as guarantees regarding detention conditions or the existence of political grounds for the prosecution and conduct proceedings strategically.
Checks under § 5 LuftSiG are permissible but must be conducted proportionately. You have the right to request the legal basis upon enquiry and to obtain legal assistance for more extensive measures. If the check escalates or items are seized, you should make no substantive statements, document the course of events and request legal support immediately.
