English-Speaking Criminal Defence Lawyers in Dortmund
Arrested, searched or summoned by the German police?
We advise and defend you in English – in Dortmund and throughout Germany. Both of our lawyers speak fluent English.
24/7 emergency line: +49 231 7764572 · Office: +49 231 1503719
Your rights in a German criminal case
- Right to remain silent. You must state your name, address and date of birth, but you do not have to say anything about the accusation. Silence cannot be held against you.
- Right to a lawyer. You may consult a lawyer at any time. The police must help you contact one.
- Right to an interpreter. If you do not speak German, an interpreter is provided free of charge.
- Right to contact your consulate. As a foreign national, you can ask for your consulate to be informed of your arrest.
- Judge within one day. After an arrest, you must be brought before a judge no later than the end of the following day.
Common situations
- Police summons (Vorladung): As a suspect, you are not required to attend a police interview. Call us first – we can request access to the case file.
- Search of your home: Do not resist, but state that you do not consent. Do not make any statements and do not hand anything over voluntarily.
- Penalty order (Strafbefehl): You have only two weeks from delivery to file an objection. Otherwise it becomes final and counts as a conviction.
- Pre-trial detention: You are entitled to a defence lawyer, and you can name the lawyer you want.
Do not sign any document you do not fully understand.
How we work
We defend at every stage of criminal proceedings, both as privately retained and as court-appointed counsel. Court hearings in Germany are held in German with a court interpreter; we explain every step to you in English.
Contact
Rechtsanwaltssozietät Blumenstein & Budde · Brüderweg 6–8 · 44135 Dortmund, Germany
Office: +49 231 1503719 · 24/7 emergency line: +49 231 7764572 · blumensteinbudde@me.com
This information does not replace individual legal advice.