Muss ich einer Ladung zur Polizei folgen?

Als Zeuge ja, Sie müssen erscheinen und aussagen, außer Sie haben ein Verweigerungsrecht. Als Beschuldigter sollten Sie die Ladung ebenfalls ernst nehmen, dürfen aber schweigen. Klären Sie vorher mit einem Anwalt, ob und was Sie sagen.

Darf ich als Beschuldigter die Aussage verweigern?

Ja. Als Beschuldigter dürfen Sie jederzeit schweigen, ohne dass Ihnen daraus ein Nachteil entstehen darf. Sie dürfen sich vorher mit einem Verteidiger beraten und ihn zur Vernehmung mitnehmen.

Darf ich jemanden zur Vernehmung mitnehmen?

Als Beschuldigter Ihren Verteidiger. Als Zeuge dürfen Sie eine Vertrauensperson mitnehmen. Darauf muss die Ladung hinweisen.

Was, wenn ich nicht gut Deutsch spreche?

Dann haben Sie Anspruch auf Übersetzungshilfe in einer Sprache, die Sie verstehen (§ 56 StPO). Sagen Sie das bei der Vernehmung gleich zu Beginn.

Wie kann ich ein Ermittlungsverfahren beenden lassen?

Sie können beantragen, dass das Gericht das Verfahren einstellt (§ 108 StPO), etwa wenn die Tat nicht strafbar ist oder der Verdacht eine Fortsetzung nicht mehr rechtfertigt. Der Antrag wird bei der Staatsanwaltschaft eingebracht.

Summons to the Police or Criminal Complaint | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

In short

Do not make a statement before you have spoken to a lawyer.
As a suspect (Beschuldigter), you may remain silent. As a witness (Zeuge), you must testify, unless you would incriminate yourself or a relative.
You are entitled to access to the file and, if necessary, to a translation.
Against an unlawful act by the police: appeal against measures of direct coercion (Maßnahmenbeschwerde) within six weeks.

Before the questioning

The most important advice first

Do not make a statement before you have spoken to a lawyer. What you say in the first questioning can be used against you and can hardly be taken back later. Bring the summons to the initial consultation.

Your role

Suspect or witness?

The summons states in which role you are being questioned. As a suspect you have a comprehensive right to remain silent. As a witness you must appear and testify truthfully. You may refuse to testify, however, if you would incriminate yourself or a relative. The summons must point out your right to a person of trust.

Your rights

What you are entitled to as a suspect

to be told which offence you are suspected of
to make a statement or to remain silent, without any disadvantage to you
to consult a defence lawyer beforehand and bring them to the questioning
to inspect the file
a translation, if you do not understand German sufficiently

Legal basis: §§ 49, 51, 56 and 164 StPO.

After the complaint

What happens next

After a complaint, the public prosecutor's office directs the investigation (Ermittlungsverfahren), and the criminal police investigate on its behalf. The end result is a discontinuation, a diversion or an indictment.

If the act is not punishable or, given the duration and scope of the investigation, the suspicion no longer justifies continuing, you can apply for the proceedings to be discontinued (§ 108 StPO). As a rule, the investigation should not last longer than two years.

From our practice: The police arrested a client and later gave a different reason for it. The administrative court declared the arrest and detention unlawful. Read the case (in German) →

Police check

Do I have to show ID?

There is no general duty to carry ID in Austria. Foreign nationals must, however, be able to produce an identity document, such as their residence permit. The police may only establish your identity under certain conditions (§ 35 SPG), for example where a dangerous act is suspected.

Note down what happens: place, time, names or service numbers, witnesses. You can challenge an unlawful police act within six weeks with an appeal against measures of direct coercion.

Next step

Initial consultation at a flat fee

We inspect the file, prepare you for the questioning and accompany you to the police.

Book an initial consultation →

Questions we get asked

Summons and questioning: short answers

Do I have to follow a summons to the police?

As a witness, yes: you must appear and testify, unless you have a right to refuse. As a suspect, you should also take the summons seriously, but you may remain silent. Clarify with a lawyer beforehand whether and what you say.

May I refuse to make a statement as a suspect?

Yes. As a suspect, you may remain silent at any time, without any disadvantage to you. You may consult a defence lawyer beforehand and bring them to the questioning.

May I bring someone to the questioning?

As a suspect, your defence lawyer. As a witness, you may bring a person of trust. The summons must point this out.

What if I do not speak German well?

Then you are entitled to translation assistance in a language you understand (§ 56 StPO). Say so right at the start of the questioning.

How can I have an investigation ended?

You can apply for the court to discontinue the proceedings (§ 108 StPO), for example if the act is not punishable or the suspicion no longer justifies continuing. The application is filed with the public prosecutor's office.