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Juvenile law in Kitzingen follows German federal law with Bavarian practice, focusing on education and reintegration rather than punishment. Cases involving young people are handled under the Youth Courts Act, known in German as the Jugendgerichtsgesetz. The key idea is to understand why a young person acted as they did and to help them avoid future trouble, while still protecting victims and the public.
Proceedings are usually non-public to protect the privacy of minors. The local youth welfare office, the Jugendamt at the Landratsamt Kitzingen, is routinely involved through Youth Court Assistance, known as Jugendgerichtshilfe. That service informs the court about the young person’s circumstances and suggests supportive measures. Police, the public prosecutor’s office in Würzburg, and the local courts in the region work together with the Jugendamt to find solutions that fit the individual case.
Juvenile cases include typical allegations like shoplifting, minor assault after a school dispute, vandalism, drug possession, online threats, or more serious matters. There are also youth protection topics such as compliance with the Youth Protection Act, and in some situations family courts may act to protect a child’s welfare under child protection rules. Because the system blends criminal procedure with social support, early legal advice is important.
You may need a lawyer if the police want to question your child, if your child has been detained, or if you receive a summons to appear in court. A lawyer can protect the right to remain silent, coordinate contact with the police and the prosecution, and make sure that parents or guardians and interpreters are involved where appropriate.
Legal help is especially important in cases involving the risk of pretrial detention, serious allegations such as robbery or sexual offenses, or when there are searches of a home or phone. A lawyer can challenge unlawful evidence, negotiate diversion so that the case ends without a conviction, or seek a lighter measure like community service or a training course.
Victims and families also benefit from legal guidance. Victims can seek advice about restraining orders, compensation, and psychosocial trial support. Parents can get help understanding their role, obligations to attend hearings, and how best to support their child without harming the legal position.
Age brackets matter. Children under 14 are not criminally responsible. Juveniles aged 14 to 17 are subject to the Youth Courts Act. Young adults aged 18 to 20 can be treated under juvenile law if their development and the nature of the act are youth-typical. Otherwise, adult criminal law applies to them.
The Youth Courts Act emphasizes education. Outcomes range from educational measures like instructions, counseling, or training courses, to disciplinary measures such as a formal warning, orders to repair damage or pay compensation, or community service, and short youth detention called Jugendarrest. Only for serious or persistent offending will a court impose juvenile imprisonment called Jugendstrafe, which is measured in months or years and has a maximum that is lower than for adults.
Diversion is common. Prosecutors can discontinue a case if guilt appears minor and the young person completes certain tasks, for example apologizing, paying compensation, participating in mediation called Täter-Opfer-Ausgleich, or attending a course. Courts can also discontinue proceedings under similar conditions. Successful diversion avoids a judgment and often avoids a criminal record entry.
Procedure has special safeguards. Hearings are non-public. Legal guardians and Jugendgerichtshilfe are involved. Police and prosecution should inform guardians promptly, especially if a juvenile is detained. Pretrial detention is a last resort, and courts must consider milder alternatives. In many juvenile cases a defense lawyer must be appointed, especially where detention or serious charges are possible.
Records are handled carefully. Youth convictions are entered in the Federal Central Register, but not all appear on a standard certificate of conduct. Entries for youth matters are usually deleted sooner than adult entries, depending on the offense and sentence. Privacy rules restrict the publication of names or photos.
Youth welfare and child protection might be involved. Under the Social Code Book VIII, the Jugendamt can provide help with parenting, school support, counseling, or placement if needed. Family courts can order protective measures where a child’s welfare is at risk, which is separate from criminal responsibility.
Local practice in Kitzingen involves cooperation among Polizeiinspektion Kitzingen, the public prosecutor’s office in Würzburg, local district courts in the region, and youth chambers at the Regional Court in Würzburg. The Jugendamt at the Landratsamt Kitzingen provides Youth Court Assistance and support services to young people and their families throughout proceedings.
Children under 14 are not criminally responsible. Juveniles aged 14 to 17 are dealt with under the Youth Courts Act. Young adults aged 18 to 20 may also be treated under juvenile law if their development and the circumstances of the offense are youth-typical. Otherwise, adult law applies to them.
No. Every person has the right to remain silent. A juvenile should not answer questions before speaking with a lawyer. Police should notify legal guardians and, in serious matters, the youth welfare office. It is generally best to wait for a lawyer and a guardian to be present.
It depends on the outcome. Diversion often avoids a judgment and avoids or limits entries. If a court imposes a measure, it may be recorded in the Federal Central Register. Not all youth entries appear on a standard certificate of conduct, and many entries are deleted earlier than for adults. A lawyer can explain how a specific result will be recorded.
Typical outcomes include educational instructions, counseling, apology and compensation, community service, and short youth detention called Jugendarrest. Only for serious or repeated offenses will a court impose juvenile imprisonment. The focus remains on education and avoiding reoffending.
Young adults can be sentenced under juvenile law if their maturity and the act are youth-typical. That decision looks at schooling, living situation, peer pressure, and how typical the conduct is for juveniles. If adult law applies, adult penalties are possible. A lawyer can argue for juvenile law where appropriate.
Jugendgerichtshilfe is Youth Court Assistance provided by the Jugendamt. They talk with the young person and family, assess needs, and suggest educational measures to the prosecutor and court. Their participation helps ensure the response fits the young person’s situation.
Courts usually expect legal guardians to attend juvenile hearings. Parents or guardians may be heard about the child’s background and are encouraged to support agreed measures. If parents cannot attend, the court decides how to proceed and may involve other responsible adults.
There is no automatic rule for every case. In practice, schools may be informed if it helps support the young person or if the incident occurred at school. Privacy rules apply and information sharing is limited to what is necessary. Speak with your lawyer before consenting to information sharing.
Yes. Victims can assert civil claims within criminal proceedings and can participate in mediation known as Täter-Opfer-Ausgleich. Mediation can lead to apology and compensation and may help resolve the case through diversion. In serious cases, victims may qualify for psychosocial trial support.
Fees vary by complexity. In many juvenile cases the court appoints a defense lawyer where required by law. For early advice, Beratungshilfe may be available to cover initial consultations for those with low income. Your lawyer can explain cost options, including court appointment and public funding.
Landratsamt Kitzingen - Jugendamt. Provides Youth Court Assistance, counseling, and support services for families, including help with parenting support and educational measures.
Polizeiinspektion Kitzingen. Local police authority for reporting crimes, receiving summons, and returning seized property where appropriate.
Staatsanwaltschaft Würzburg - Jugendabteilung. Regional public prosecutor’s office responsible for juvenile cases arising in the Kitzingen area.
Local district courts in the region and youth chambers at the Regional Court in Würzburg. Handle juvenile hearings and appeals, including non-public youth sessions.
Täter-Opfer-Ausgleich services in Unterfranken. Offers victim-offender mediation that can support apology and compensation and can contribute to diversion.
Bewährungshilfe Bayern. Probation services providing support to young people who receive suspended sentences or court orders.
Caritas, Diakonie, and AWO in the Kitzingen and Würzburg region. Offer counseling, youth support, family assistance, and migration services, including help with schooling and integration.
Jugendmigrationsdienst Unterfranken. Guidance for young people with migration backgrounds, including language and integration support that may complement court measures.
Psychosoziale Prozessbegleitung in Bayern. Specialized support for victims during investigations and court proceedings, particularly in serious cases.
Stay calm and use the right to remain silent. Do not allow your child to be questioned without a lawyer. Ask the police to notify you as legal guardian and to wait until a lawyer is present. If there is a language barrier, request an interpreter immediately.
Gather documents and information. Collect summonses, police letters, school reports, medical or counseling records, and any messages or photos related to the incident. Write a neutral timeline of events while details are fresh.
Contact a local lawyer with juvenile law experience. Ask about availability for urgent police interviews, experience with diversion in the region, and how they coordinate with Jugendgerichtshilfe. If cost is an issue, ask about court appointment and Beratungshilfe.
Engage with support services. Cooperate with Jugendamt and consider programs or counseling that address the underlying issues. Voluntary steps taken early can improve outcomes and support a diversion decision.
Attend all appointments and meet deadlines. Bring identification, letters from authorities, and your notes. Do not discuss the case on social media or with classmates. Follow your lawyer’s advice on contact with alleged victims, witnesses, or co-accused.
This guide is general information only. For tailored advice in Kitzingen, speak directly with a lawyer who can assess your situation, protect rights at every stage, and work toward the best educational and legal outcome for the young person.
