Overview

• Public prosecutors logged about 5.5 million new cases in 2024 for the second year running, roughly 515,000 more than in 2020.
• Around 950,000 criminal cases remained unresolved at the end of 2024, an increase of about 240,000 since 2020.
• Only one in 16 investigations led to an indictment in 2024, down from one in 10 in 2014 as more cases were dropped.
• The federal government plans nearly half a billion euros to reinforce prosecutors and speed trials, contingent on Länder co-financing.
• The Richterbund highlights staffing gaps including roughly 2,000 missing jurists in the civil service and about 50,000 police vacancies.