Filing a Criminal Complaint with Expert Legal Representation
From evidence preservation to joint plaintiff status, we represent your interests as a victim with precision and commitment. Schedule a confidential initial consultation before filing your complaint.
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Expert Criminal Complaint Filing You Can Trust
Well-Founded Criminal Complaint under § 158 StPO
Anyone who has become a victim of a criminal offence has the right under § 158 StPO to file a complaint and initiate proceedings with the investigating authorities. GLADICA Lawyers prepares comprehensive criminal complaints that combine precise legal subsumption with a structured presentation of the evidence.
Systematic Evidence Preservation Before Filing
The course of an investigation depends significantly on the quality of the available evidence. Before submission, we systematically secure all relevant evidence: documents, digital traces, chat histories, transaction data and witness accounts.
Consistent Procedural Support as a Victim
We accompany you from the filing of the complaint through to the judicial decision. We handle communication with the public prosecutor's office (§ 161 StPO), examine admission as a joint plaintiff (§§ 395 ff. StPO) and use adhesion proceedings (§§ 403 ff. StPO).
From the Complaint to the Enforcement of Your Claims
Our work combines precise legal subsumption with consistent procedural support, from the complaint through to the judicial decision and the enforcement of civil law claims under §§ 823 ff. BGB. No mandate is delegated to junior associates.
Comprehensive Support When Filing a Criminal Complaint
Our Services When Filing a Criminal Complaint
Confidential initial assessment of the facts and prospects of success
Preparation of legally sound criminal complaints (§ 158 StPO)
Integration of expert witnesses and IT forensic specialists
Communication with the public prosecutor's office (§ 161 StPO)
Accompaniment during police interviews as legal counsel (§ 163 StPO)
Review of admission as a joint plaintiff and joining as a joint plaintiff (§§ 395 ff. StPO)
Access to case files (§ 406e StPO)
Review and conduct of compulsory prosecution proceedings (§§ 172 ff. StPO)
Enforcement of claims for damages and compensation for pain and suffering (§§ 823, 253 BGB)
Adhesion proceedings (§§ 403 ff. StPO)
Why a Legally Prepared Criminal Complaint Increases Your Prospects of Success
A complaint prepared by a lawyer presents the facts in a structured manner, classifies them legally and links them systematically to the available evidence. This preparation clearly identifies relevant facts, legal considerations and possible investigative approaches, ensuring that all material aspects are fully taken into account in both straightforward and complex cases.
Where important evidence is held by other persons or companies, we draft the complaint in such a way that the police and public prosecutor's office can specifically request and secure it (§§ 94 ff. StPO). This structured preparatory work helps to secure evidence at an early stage and ensure its admissibility in the further proceedings.
Joint Plaintiff Proceedings, Adhesion Proceedings and Compulsory Prosecution
As a joint plaintiff, you obtain extensive rights of participation in criminal proceedings. The joint plaintiff procedure (§§ 395 ff. StPO) enables you to actively influence proceedings, for example through your own applications for evidence (§ 244 StPO), rights to ask questions during the main hearing and the right to attend hearings. In parallel, we examine adhesion proceedings (§§ 403 ff. StPO), through which civil law claims can already be asserted and reduced to an enforceable title within the criminal proceedings.
Where the public prosecutor's office discontinues proceedings, this is not necessarily final. A complaint can first be filed with the General Public Prosecutor's Office. Should this prove unsuccessful, it is possible to initiate compulsory prosecution proceedings under §§ 172 ff. StPO by way of an application for a judicial decision.
We file complaints in all practically relevant white-collar criminal matters. Fraud under § 263 StGB and breach of trust under § 266 StGB are as much a part of our complaint practice as insolvency offences and breaches of duty in a corporate context. The structured presentation of loss flows, accounting records and digital communications is of particular importance for investigative success in these cases.
In property and asset offences, we systematically secure all relevant evidence before filing the complaint. Theft under § 242 StGB, embezzlement under § 246 StGB as well as handling stolen goods and money laundering under § 261 StGB require a precise account of the circumstances of the offence, the amount of loss and the evidentiary trail, so that the police and public prosecutor's office can conduct targeted investigations.
Violent offences require particular care in the preservation of evidence when filing a complaint. Bodily harm offences under §§ 223 ff. StGB, unlawful imprisonment under § 239 StGB and attempted homicide offences require comprehensive documentation of injuries, the circumstances at the scene and witness statements. We prepare the complaint so that all material aspects are fully present and admissible.
Insult under § 185 StGB, defamation under § 186 StGB, slander under § 187 StGB and threatening behaviour under § 241 StGB frequently involve digital channels such as social media, messaging services or email. We secure digital evidence in a legally valid manner, classify the statements under criminal law and file a structured complaint that renders even anonymous or pseudonymous perpetrators identifiable.
Stalking under § 238 StGB and violations of protection orders under § 4 GewSchG frequently occur in conjunction with bodily harm or threatening offences. Sexual offences under §§ 174 ff. StGB require particular discretion and experience. Upon request, we accompany you to interviews and court hearings and examine appropriate protective measures such as the exclusion of the public under § 171b GVG or video testimony under § 247a StPO.
Cybercrime requires specialist IT forensics and precise legal classification. Spying on data under § 202a StGB, computer fraud under § 263a StGB and violation of the most personal sphere of life through image recordings under § 201a StGB as well as the misuse of personal data are reported by us with the involvement of IT expert witnesses. We draft the complaint so that the investigating authorities can specifically secure digital traces.
Why Clients Choose GLADICA Lawyers
As a victim, you need legal representation that combines legal precision with strategic perspective and personal sensitivity. Our clients value clear communication, a realistic assessment of prospects of success and a structured approach to proceedings. No mandate is delegated to junior associates.
Highly Specialised Lawyers
Experienced lawyers with specialised expertise in representing victims across all categories of criminal offences.
500+ Five-Star Reviews
Your personal and case information remains strictly protected.
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 Filing a Criminal Complaint
Following a confidential initial consultation, we analyse the facts and assess their criminal law relevance. We then secure and structure the available evidence, draft the complaint with legal classification and submit it to the competent investigating authority. We subsequently handle all communication with the investigating authorities and keep you informed of the status of proceedings.
A legally prepared complaint presents the facts in a structured manner, classifies them legally and links them to the available evidence. This gives the investigating authorities a clear foundation for review and further measures. Whether the matter is straightforward or complex, a complaint prepared by a specialist lawyer is significantly superior to a self-filed complaint and considerably increases the prospects of success.
Criminal complaints can generally be filed at any time as long as the limitation period under §§ 78 ff. StGB has not expired. For offences prosecutable only upon application, such as insult (§ 194 StGB), an application must be filed within three months of becoming aware of the offence and the offender. Early filing also facilitates the preservation of evidence.
The criminal complaint (§ 158 StPO) informs the investigating authorities of a suspected criminal offence. The formal application for prosecution (§ 77 StGB) is additionally required for certain offences where prosecution only takes place upon application by the injured party. We assess which steps are necessary in each individual case.
A complaint can first be filed with the General Public Prosecutor's Office against a decision to discontinue. Should this prove unsuccessful, it is possible to initiate compulsory prosecution proceedings under §§ 172 ff. StPO. The higher regional court then reviews whether the decision was legally sustainable. We examine in every case whether the discontinuation was legally flawed and initiate the necessary steps.
The joint plaintiff procedure (§§ 395 ff. StPO) enables victims to actively participate in criminal proceedings. Through their legal representation they obtain access to the case file, can file applications for evidence, ask questions during the main hearing and attend hearings. There is also the opportunity to make submissions on sentencing in the closing statement. Joint plaintiff status is primarily admissible for serious offences against the person.
Yes, through adhesion proceedings (§§ 403 ff. StPO). The criminal court simultaneously decides on civil law claims such as damages (§ 823 BGB) and compensation for pain and suffering (§ 253 (2) BGB). This can avoid separate civil proceedings and considerably accelerate the enforcement of claims.
These proceedings require particular sensitivity and experience. Upon request, we accompany you to interviews and court hearings and examine appropriate protective measures such as the exclusion of the public (§ 171b GVG) or video testimony (§ 247a StPO).
Even in such cases it can be worthwhile to assert claims. Claims for damages arising from intentional violations of life, physical integrity, health, freedom or sexual self-determination are enforceable for up to thirty years under § 197 (1) no. 3 BGB. Additionally, claims against state compensation systems or insurance may also be available.
Your testimony is generally required, whether as a witness or as a joint plaintiff. We prepare you thoroughly for these appointments, accompany you in the courtroom and ensure that your rights are protected. In cases of particular vulnerability, we examine alternatives such as video testimony (§ 247a StPO) or the exclusion of the public.
