German prosecution services and criminal courts continue to face significant backlogs, according to recent data Public prosecutors’ offices registered approximately 55 million new cases in 2024, marking the second consecutive year at that level and representing an increase of around 515,000 cases compared to 2020 This assessment, conducted by the German Judges’ Association (DRB) and reported by “Bild am Sonntag”, highlights a growing strain on the judicial system
As of the end of 2024, investigators are dealing with 950,000 unresolved cases – an increase of 240,000 since 2020 Simultaneously, the number of cases being dropped by public prosecutors is rising Only one in sixteen cases initiated in 2024 resulted in charges being filed, a decrease from the one in ten ratio observed in 2014
The DRB is now calling for a substantial investment package from both the federal and state governments to address the mounting pressure Sven Rebehn, Federal Executive Director of the DRB, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the chronic overload of investigative authorities and criminal courts can no longer be delayed The federal government has reportedly pledged nearly half a billion euros to strengthen public prosecutors’ offices and expedite court proceedings
Rebehn called upon the states to commit to a major recruitment drive this autumn to facilitate the co-financing arrangement and ensure that additional positions are created within the justice system promptly