Germany's Backlog of Criminal Cases Hits Record High of 933,000

The number of open cases at German prosecutor's offices has surged by nearly 30% since 2021, raising concerns about delays in justice and public safety risks.

The backlog of unresolved cases at German prosecutor's offices reached a record 933,000 by the end of 2024, a 30% increase compared to 2021.
Hamburg experienced the most severe rise, with its backlog more than doubling since 2021 to nearly 48,000 cases.
Delays in case processing led to the release of over 60 suspects from pretrial detention in 2024 due to prolonged investigation timelines.
The surge in cases is attributed to increasing complexity of investigations and insufficient staffing, despite efforts to add personnel in some states.
The German Richterbund has called for an urgent national initiative to address the crisis, warning of further strain on the criminal justice system.