Skip to content

Freiheitsstrafe

custodial sentence

noun FRY-hyts-shtraf-e Rare

Also means

prison sentence

Usage Note

Freiheitsstrafe is the primary custodial penalty in German criminal law, ranging from one month to life. Courts may suspend it on probation (Bewährung) for sentences up to two years if rehabilitation is expected.

Examples

"Das Gericht verhängte eine Freiheitsstrafe von zwei Jahren auf Bewährung."

Natural Translation

The court imposed a two-year suspended custodial sentence.

Literal Translation

The court imposed a custodial-sentence of two years on probation.

Explore German by topic