Steht eine Diversion im Strafregister?

Nein. Eine Diversion ist keine Verurteilung und wird nicht ins Strafregister eingetragen. Staatsanwaltschaft und Gericht speichern die Erledigung aber intern.

Muss ich für eine Diversion ein Geständnis ablegen?

Ein förmliches Geständnis ist nicht nötig. Sie müssen aber Verantwortung für die Tat übernehmen, zumindest teilweise.

Zählt eine Diversion bei der Einbürgerung?

Sie ist keine Verurteilung. Die Behörde darf aber das Verhalten, das dem Verfahren zugrunde lag, bei der Prognose nach § 10 Abs 1 Z 6 StbG berücksichtigen. Entscheidend sind Art und Schwere des Vorfalls und wie lange er zurückliegt.

Kann ich eine angebotene Diversion ablehnen?

Ja. Bis zum endgültigen Rücktritt der Staatsanwaltschaft können Sie verlangen, dass das Strafverfahren fortgesetzt wird (§ 205 StPO). Das kann sinnvoll sein, wenn ein Freispruch realistisch ist.

Diversion Instead of Conviction | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

In short

Diversion (Diversion) means: the proceedings end without a conviction and without an entry in the criminal record.
Possible where the offence carries a penalty of up to five years and guilt is not serious.
Forms: a sum of money, community service, a probation period or victim-offender mediation.
It is not without consequences for residence and naturalisation. Have this checked before you agree.

Without a guilty verdict

What diversion is

With diversion, the criminal proceedings are ended without a conviction. There is no guilty verdict, no entry in the criminal record and no public trial. The presumption of innocence continues to apply.

The public prosecutor's office can offer it during the investigation, and after the indictment the court can offer it, up to the close of the trial.

Requirements

When diversion is possible

the offence carries a penalty of no more than five years
guilt is not serious
the offence did not cause anyone's death
the facts have been sufficiently established
a penalty is not needed to deter you or others from further offences

Legal basis: § 198 StPO. Previous convictions do not automatically rule out diversion.

Forms

Which forms there are

payment of a sum of money (§ 200 StPO)
community service within no more than six months (§ 201 StPO)
a probation period of one to two years, possibly with obligations or probation assistance (§ 203 StPO)
victim-offender mediation with the victim (§ 204 StPO)

A confession is not required. However, you must take responsibility for the offence, at least in part.

Residence and naturalisation

Why diversion is not without consequences

Diversion is not a conviction and does not appear in the criminal record. The public prosecutor's office and the court do record the outcome internally, however, and can retrieve it for years.

In naturalisation cases, the authority may take into account the conduct underlying the proceedings in its forecast under § 10 para 1 no 6 StbG. What then matters are the type and seriousness of the incident and how long you have kept to the rules since then.

That is why, before you agree, we check what consequences diversion has for your residence permit and a later naturalisation application. Until the public prosecutor's office finally withdraws, you can also demand that the proceedings be continued (continuation of the proceedings).

From our practice

Narcotic drugs

Separate rules apply to small quantities of narcotic drugs for personal use (§ 35 SMG). A student in whose possession 40 grams of cannabis were found received diversion with our defence: no conviction, no entry in the criminal record.

Next step

Initial consultation at a flat fee

We check whether diversion is possible, negotiate with the public prosecutor's office and clarify the consequences for your residence.

Book an initial consultation →

Questions we get asked

Diversion: short answers

Does diversion appear in the criminal record?

No. Diversion is not a conviction and is not entered in the criminal record. The public prosecutor's office and the court do record the outcome internally, however.

Do I have to confess to get diversion?

A formal confession is not required. You must, however, take responsibility for the offence, at least in part.

Does diversion count in naturalisation cases?

It is not a conviction. The authority may, however, take into account the conduct underlying the proceedings in its forecast under § 10 para 1 no 6 StbG. What matters are the type and seriousness of the incident and how long ago it happened.

Can I refuse a diversion that is offered?

Yes. Until the public prosecutor's office finally withdraws, you can demand that the criminal proceedings be continued (§ 205 StPO). This can make sense if an acquittal is realistic.