GermanNow
6 min read
Rechtswidrigkeit
unlawfulness; illegality (as an element of an offence)
noun REKHTS-vee-drikh-kyt Rare
Usage Note
Rechtswidrigkeit is one of the three levels of a criminal offence in German law: a deed must fulfil the Tatbestand, be rechtswidrig (unlawful), and the actor must be schuldhaft (culpable). Justifications like self-defence exclude Rechtswidrigkeit.
Examples
"Notwehr schließt die Rechtswidrigkeit der Tat aus."
Natural Translation
Self-defence excludes the unlawfulness of the act.
Literal Translation
Self-defence excludes the unlawfulness of-the deed.
Related Words
- Abmahnschreiben formal warning letter (demanding cessation of unlawful conduct)
- Abschiebung deportation
- Akteneinsicht access to files
- Amtsgericht local court
- Amtspflicht official duty; duty of care owed by a public official
- Anfechtungsklage action for annulment
- Angeklagte defendant
- Anhörung hearing; right to be heard (before a decision is made)
Explore German by topic
