Police summons as a suspect: remain silent counsel first

Have you received a summons as an accused? Do not ignore this letter, but do not comply with it either. The most important advice now is:
Silence is golden.

Many clients make a serious mistake out of panic: they go directly to the police station or call the officer in charge to clear up the "misunderstanding". Do not do this. Everything you say now will end up in your file and can be used against you in court later. No disadvantages may arise from remaining silent.

Do I have to go to the police?

There is often uncertainty here. The answer in the vast majority of cases is: No.

• Summons by the police: You do not have to appear. You do not even have to cancel the appointment personally.
• Summons by the Public Prosecutor's Office: There is an obligation to appear here. However: You still do not have to make a statement!

The Strategy: File Inspection First

As a private individual, access to the investigation file is often difficult and restricted – as a criminal defense lawyer, I request this for you. We handle the entire process:

• File a letter of defense: We notify them of your defense. The police are then no longer allowed to contact you directly.
• Cancel appointment: We cancel the interrogation appointment for you.
• Inspect the files: We check what evidence actually exists (e.g., in drug offenses or bodily harm cases).
• Determine defense strategy: Only then do we decide together whether to make a statement or remain silent.

Areas of Activity in the Region

We represent you before police authorities and public prosecutor's offices throughout the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region (Mannheim, Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Frankenthal, Schwetzingen). As your defense lawyer, I stand for consistent representation without prejudice – regardless of what you are accused of.

Summons as a Witness: A Special Case

If you have been summoned as a witness — not as a suspect — different rules apply: witnesses are generally required to appear and testify, unless they have the right to refuse testimony (for example, as the spouse or close relative of the accused) or the right to refuse to answer (if the answer could incriminate themselves). We examine whether and to what extent you are required to testify, and accompany you at the hearing as your witness's legal adviser.

What Happens After the Initial Consultation?

As soon as we take on the mandate, we notify the police and public prosecutor's office of your defense representation. From that moment, the authorities are no longer permitted to contact you directly. We request access to the investigation file, examine the charge and the state of evidence, and develop the best defense strategy together with you. In many cases we succeed in achieving a discontinuation under § 170(2) StPO or § 153a StPO (against a monetary condition) already during the investigation — before an indictment is even filed.

Police Interrogation Tactics – What You Need to Know

Police officers are trained to move suspects toward making a statement through seemingly harmless questions. It is often suggested that a statement is "just a formality" or can only benefit the accused. This is not true. Any statement without prior access to the investigation file is risky. Exercise your right to silence — without a guilty conscience and without fear of legal disadvantage. Silence may not be interpreted negatively by the court.

As a Suspect: What You Must Know Before the Interview

A police summons addressed to you as a suspect — not merely a witness — signals that an investigation is already underway. Every suspect in Germany has the constitutional right to remain silent and the right to consult counsel before answering any questions. Exercising these rights is not an admission of guilt; it is the legally correct response. Our counsel will obtain access to the investigation file before the interview date, assess the strength of the evidence, and advise whether to make a statement, submit a written explanation, or remain completely silent. Do not contact the police to reschedule or to explain yourself before speaking with counsel — anything you say can be used against you, even in an informal phone call.

We regularly secure appointment postponements of two to four weeks — sufficient time to obtain the file, analyze the evidence, and develop a tailored response strategy. Contact us as soon as you receive the summons and do not wait until the day before the scheduled interview.

As of June 2026