Discontinuing prosecution of drug users according to s. 31a of the German Narcotic Drugs Act (BtMG)

Project date range: 1995 – 1997
Funding institution: Federal Ministry of Health

Description

In 1994 the Federal Constitutional Court held that the penal provisions of the German Narcotic Drugs Act (BtMG) were constitutional and favoured diversion for cannabis consumers. It ruled that public prosecutors have to desist from prosecution in typical cases of drug offences related to small quantities of cannabis for personal consumption where no endangerment of others has occurred. The German federal states, who have the jurisdiction for public prosecution, were obliged to establish an essentially consistent practice. The research project collected empirical information about the extent and circumstances of diversion based on s. 31a BtMG in several Länder jurisdictions and its relation to other non-prosecution regulations.

Method

Document analysis of a sample of drug cases (1.500 files) with non-prosecution decisions in six federal states and 22 local public prosecution agencies.

Publication

Aulinger, Susanne (1997). Rechtsgleichheit und Rechtswirklichkeit bei der Strafverfolgung von Drogenkonsumenten: die Anwendung von § 31a BtMG im Kontext anderer Einstellungsvorschriften. (Schriftenreihe des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit; 89). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verl.-Ges.