Traffic Criminal Law Defense in Mannheim & Surrounding Area

In traffic criminal law, your livelihood is often at stake. Especially in the areas surrounding Heidelberg and Mannheim, where public transport connections can be unreliable, this represents a significant restriction. Without a driver's license, many clients face termination of employment.

Has your driver's license been seized? Have you received mail regarding a hit and run? As a traffic crimes lawyer, we defend all offenses including DUI and hit-and-flee. Quick action is required now. The sooner we intervene, the higher the chances that you will remain mobile.

Unauthorized Removal from the Scene of the Accident (§ 142 StGB)

The classic "Hit and Run" happens quickly: A parking bump, panic, driving away. But be careful: Those who only report it the next day often already commit a criminal offense. A note on the windshield is not enough! We check whether you could have noticed the accident at all (acoustic/visual perceptibility) and fight for a discontinuation of proceedings in exchange for a monetary condition.

Drunk Driving & Drugs at the Wheel

From 1.1 per mille (BAC), you are considered "absolutely unfit to drive" (§ 316 StGB). But even from 0.3 per mille, a criminal offense may exist if signs of impairment (driving in serpentine lines) are present. With drugs or alcohol, you face not only punishment but also the withdrawal of the driver's license (blocking period of 6 months to 5 years) and the feared MPU (Medical-Psychological Assessment).

Driving Ban vs. Withdrawal of License – A Huge Difference

• Driving Ban (1-3 months): You hand in your license and get it back automatically afterwards. The idea is: Not driving for a while serves as the punishment.
• Withdrawal of the Driver's License: Your license is "destroyed". You must apply for a completely new one after a blocking period (often requiring an MPU). The idea is: You are considered dangerous, and that danger must be countered. Our goal is to "convert" the withdrawal into a driving ban.

Prohibited Motor Vehicle Races (§ 315d StGB)

This "Racer Paragraph" is nowadays interpreted very broadly. Even "grossly traffic-violating and reckless driving" solely to achieve the highest possible speed is punishable. Here, the car is often confiscated as the means of the crime. We defend your property and your freedom.

License Plate Abuse & Driving Without a License

Driving without a valid driving licence (§ 21 Road Traffic Act/StVG) and license plate abuse (§ 22 StVG) are also criminal offenses that can result in prior convictions. These cases frequently occur in combination with other traffic offenses. We defend you competently in all traffic criminal constellations and examine whether grounds for discontinuation of proceedings exist.

MPU: What to Do When It Looms

The Medical-Psychological Assessment (MPU) is for many people the greatest hurdle on the path to recovering their driving licence. Anyone caught twice with more than 1.6 per mille, or who was conspicuously under the influence of drugs at the wheel, generally must undergo an MPU. We advise you on optimal preparation and clarify whether and when the MPU makes sense. In some cases, the MPU order itself can be legally challenged in court.

What Happens After Conviction?

After a final judgment, the fight often begins over the optimal scheduling of the driving ban (serving it during holidays, application for re-issuance of the driving licence). We also examine whether an appeal is promising and whether entries in the driver aptitude register (Flensburg) can be avoided or deleted. Our goal is always to save your licence or keep the time without a driving licence as short as possible.

As of June 2026