The German justice system is grappling with a significant backlog of unresolved investigations, raising concerns about the system's capacity to manage its caseload effectively. As of the end of 2024, there are approximately 933,000 open cases nationwide, with particular pressure felt in regions like Rhineland-Palatinate, which reported around 33,000 pending investigations. This backlog has been exacerbated by an influx of 5.3 million new cases in the past year.
The situation is alarming, with Sven Rebehn, the federal managing director of the German Judges Association, warning that the justice system is overburdened. The strain is evident in states like North Rhine-Westphalia, which alone accounts for over 255,000 open cases. Despite efforts to mitigate this load, such as personnel increases and policy discussions, the challenges persist.
The backlog results in prolonged legal proceedings, declining indictment rates, and the occasional release of suspects from pretrial detention due to delays. The justice system faces calls for immediate reforms, including a proposed Bund-Länder-Rechtsstaatspakt, to ensure that legal processes do not become bottlenecks in crime management.
