Image source: tagesschau.de

Hubig Considers Decriminalizing Fare Evasion

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig wants to reassess criminal law for traveling without a ticket. So far substitute custodial sentences are possible, lawyers call for decriminalization, the Union rejects it.

The Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig proposes reconsidering Section 265a of the Criminal Code for traveling without a ticket and to contemplate decriminalization because criminal proceedings tie up many justice resources.

The German Bar Association is calling for a 'genuine decriminalization' rather than merely downgrading it to an administrative offence, because that alone could still lead to substitute custodial sentences or even coercive detention.

The Union rejects Hubig's initiative and warns that controls would lose effectiveness without criminal law, which the Union says could lead to higher fares and more passengers travelling without a ticket.

Hubig points to the need to reassess the criminality of fare evasion within the framework of the black-red coalition and the modern criminal law debate, in order to reduce proceedings and costs.

What position do you feel closer to?

Supporters of decriminalization

The reassessment is an important step toward greater social justice and a more sensible handling of scarce justice resources.

Union & criminal-law hardliners

The announced reassessment weakens the clear signal of criminal law and risks trivializing fare evasion and undermining payment discipline.

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