Speech to Text Word: How Laws Apply

When it comes to the application of laws, there are certain rules that govern how penalties and legal consequences are determined. In this article, we will explore these rules in more detail.

Firstly, a law may provide otherwise if it is intended to be in force only for a specific period of time. However, as a general rule, even after the law has ceased to be in force, it can still be applied to acts committed while it was in effect (4). This means that the law will continue to apply until the act is completed.

Secondly, if the law in force at the time of the completion of an act is amended before a judgment is made, the most lenient law will be applied (3). This is because the amendment may have reduced the severity of the penalty or legal consequences.

Thirdly, if the threatened penalty is amended during the commission of an act, the law that is in force at the time the act is completed will apply (2). This ensures that the individual is not subjected to a penalty that was previously intended but no longer exists.

Lastly, the penalty and any incidental legal consequences are determined by the law that is in force at the time of the act (1). This means that the individual will be held accountable for their actions according to the laws that were in place at the time they committed the act.

In addition, an act can only incur a penalty if criminal liability was established by law before the act was committed (4906). This provides clarity on what constitutes a criminal offense and what penalties may apply.

In conclusion, understanding how laws apply is crucial for ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their actions. By following these rules, we can ensure that justice is served while also taking into account any changes to the law over time.

References:

Criminal Code in the version published on 13 November 1998 (Federal Law Gazette I, p.)

Full citation:

The translation includes the amendment(s) to the Act by Article 2 of the Act of 22 November 2021 (Federal Law Gazette I, p.)

Translation completely revised and regularly updated by Ute Reusch.

Speech to text word 201