We have good news to announce: since 27.04.2020 we are on the “list of fines” for the next 2 years. During this time we should have received at least one allocation of money by then. However, there is also the possibility of an extension before expiry. A big thank you to the district court Tiergarten! If you are now wondering what this is all about, here are a few details for better understanding.
What is the list of fines?
A list for organizations that meet certain criteria in order to receive money allocations. Often this is a payment ordered by the court, which goes to certain associations as a donation. It represents the penalty to be paid or a part of it.
In Germany, approximately 130,000 court cases and around 190,000 preliminary proceedings are discontinued every year as a result of a money order. This means that approximately 100 to 120 million euros are donated to charitable organizations. Isn’t that great? In comparison: every year, the German federal states collects over one billion euros in fines. Each federal state decides how high the percentage is. In Berlin, about 20 percent of the fines go to charitable organizations. In other federal states it is sometimes more.
And how does that work?
When a prosecutor initiates criminal proceedings, the outcome is usually uncertain and can take various forms. One of them is the imposition of a fine. With this, the judge or public prosecutor obtains that the alleged perpetrator makes a monetary payment to a charitable institution or organisation.
Which organisations are eligible?
According to administrative regulations, non-profit associations and organizations must be active in the following areas:
- Youth welfare
- Prisoner Assistance
- Victim Assistance
Who decides?
The person concerned has no power of decision over the association, because the judge or public prosecutor decides whether or not the money is to be distributed or where it is to go. Another interesting fact is that about 70 percent of all financial impositions in Germany are assigned by the public prosecutor’s office; only 30 percent by judges. The alleged perpetrator can make a suggestion that a fine should be imposed. In the end, the public prosecutor and the judge discuss whether the imposition of a fine is the right conviction. The public prosecutor supports the judge with suggestions and ideas to find a suitable charitable institution.
Many thanks to the president of the district court Tiergarten. We are very pleased about this development.