Penalties for Physical Violence

One of the important aspects of everyday life is controlling anger and avoiding physical confrontation when tensions arise with others. Governments also attempt to reduce the level of physical conflict in society and maintain public safety by criminalizing physical violence.

 

In this article, we have aimed to familiarize you with the legal consequences of physical altercations in Germany based on the criminal law of this country. In German law, any harm caused to a person’s body or health is referred to as physical assault (Körperverletzung).

 

Even a minor altercation that may not be considered serious in some countries can have severe legal consequences in Germany, and in addition to punishment, it may also affect a person’s residence status and future.

 

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Section 223 – Simple Bodily Harm

 

§ 223 StGB

 

„Wer eine andere Person körperlich misshandelt oder an der Gesundheit schädigt, wird mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu fünf Jahren oder mit Geldstrafe bestraft. Der Versuch ist strafbar.“

 

Translation:

Anyone who physically abuses another person or damages their health shall be punished with imprisonment of up to five years or a fine. Attempting to commit this offense is also punishable.

 

When does this section apply?

 

If you:

 

* Slap someone

* Push someone and cause pain or injury

* Hit someone during a fight

* Cause even minor physical pain

 

Even if:

 

* The injury is very slight

* Your intention was only to scare the person

 

Your action is still considered a crime.

 

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Section 224 – Dangerous Bodily Harm

 

§ 224 StGB

 

„(1) Wer die Körperverletzung

durch Beibringung von Gift oder anderen gesundheitsschädlichen Stoffen,

mittels einer Waffe oder eines anderen gefährlichen Werkzeugs,

mittels eines hinterlistigen Überfalls,

mit einem anderen Beteiligten gemeinschaftlich oder

mittels einer das Leben gefährdenden Behandlung

begeht, wird mit Freiheitsstrafe von sechs Monaten bis zu zehn Jahren, in minder schweren Fällen mit Freiheitsstrafe von drei Monaten bis zu fünf Jahren bestraft.

 

(2) Der Versuch ist strafbar.“

 

Translation:

(1) Anyone who commits bodily harm by one of the following means:

 

* By administering poison or other substances harmful to health

* By using a weapon or another dangerous tool

* By means of a deceitful or treacherous attack

* Acting together with another person

* Or by means of treatment that endangers life

 

shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to ten years. In less severe cases, the punishment shall be imprisonment from three months to five years.

 

(2) Attempting to commit this offense is also punishable.

 

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When does this section apply?

 

If you:

 

* Attack someone with a knife or any dangerous object

* Put medication, drugs, stimulants, or sexual substances into someone’s drink without their consent

* Attack someone as part of a group

* Attack someone suddenly or from behind

* Do something that puts another person’s life at risk

 

All of these are considered serious crimes.

 

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Section 225 – Abuse of Persons under Protection

 

§ 225 StGB

 

„Wer eine Person unter achtzehn Jahren oder eine wegen Gebrechlichkeit oder Krankheit wehrlose Person, die seiner Fürsorge oder Obhut untersteht,

quält oder

roh mißhandelt oder

durch böswillige Vernachlässigung seiner Pflicht, für sie zu sorgen, an der Gesundheit schädigt,

wird mit Freiheitsstrafe von sechs Monaten bis zu zehn Jahren bestraft.“

 

Full Translation:

Anyone who, in relation to a person under the age of 18 or a defenseless person due to illness or physical weakness who is under their care:

 

* Torments them

* Treats them with cruelty

* Or harms their health through malicious neglect of their duty of care

 

shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to ten years.

 

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When does this section apply?

 

If you:

 

* Beat your child

* Harm your spouse or a dependent person

* Neglect a child or a vulnerable person under your care and cause harm

 

Very important note:

In Germany, physical punishment of children is a serious crime and has no justification.

 

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Section 226 – Grievous Bodily Harm

 

§ 226 StGB

 

„Hat die Körperverletzung zur Folge, dass die verletzte Person

das Sehvermögen auf einem oder beiden Augen,

das Gehör,

das Sprechvermögen oder

ein wichtiges Glied des Körpers verliert oder dauerhaft nicht mehr gebrauchen kann,

wird der Täter mit Freiheitsstrafe von einem Jahr bis zu zehn Jahren bestraft.

 

Verursacht der Täter eine der bezeichneten Folgen absichtlich oder wissentlich, so ist die Strafe Freiheitsstrafe nicht unter drei Jahren.“

 

Translation:

If bodily harm results in the victim:

 

* Losing vision in one or both eyes

* Losing hearing

* Losing the ability to speak

* Or losing an important limb or permanently losing the use of it

 

the offender shall be punished with imprisonment from one to ten years.

 

If these consequences are caused intentionally or knowingly, the punishment shall be imprisonment of no less than three years.

 

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When does this section apply?

 

If during a conflict:

 

* A person’s eye is damaged

* A hand or leg becomes unusable

* The person suffers permanent disability

 

This is considered a very serious crime with severe punishment.

 

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Section 227 – Bodily Harm Resulting in Death

 

(Körperverletzung mit Todesfolge)

 

§ 227 StGB

 

„(1) Verursacht der Täter durch die Körperverletzung (§§ 223 bis 226) den Tod der verletzten Person, so ist die Strafe Freiheitsstrafe nicht unter drei Jahren.

 

(2) In minder schweren Fällen ist auf Freiheitsstrafe von einem Jahr bis zu zehn Jahren zu erkennen.“

 

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Translation:

(1) If the offender causes the death of the injured person through bodily harm (Sections 223 to 226), they shall be punished with imprisonment of no less than three years.

 

(2) In less severe cases, the punishment shall be imprisonment from one to ten years.

 

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When does this section apply?

 

This section applies when:

 

* The offender did not intend to kill,

* But the victim dies as a result of the assault.

 

Simple examples:

 

* In a fight, you push someone → their head hits the ground → they die

* You beat someone → they later die due to the severity of injuries

* The conflict causes internal injuries that later lead to death

 

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Conclusion

 

Although at any time and in any place disagreements, discussions, or even arguments may arise between you and members of your family or society, it is important at that very moment to consider the possible consequences of your actions. Could a physical confrontation—even unintentionally—lead to serious injury or the loss of a human life?

 

Without a doubt, all of us may become angry, argue, or distance ourselves from others for a time; however, none of us wishes to harm others, nor do we want to cause the death or permanent injury of another human being—even if they hold beliefs or opinions different from our own.

 

Therefore, the best approach is always to avoid any form of physical confrontation. In situations where disputes become severe and seem impossible to resolve, turning to the law and legal authorities is the safest and most rational way to handle the matter.

 

✔ Respect for the law

✔ Control of anger

✔ Choosing peaceful solutions

 

These are the three fundamental principles for living a safe, calm, and successful life in a society such as Germany.