Practice Areas – Criminal Defence – Your Specialist Criminal Law Lawyers in Frankfurt am Main

Criminal Defence – Your Criminal Defence Lawyers in Frankfurt and Throughout Germany

The attorneys of Buchert Jacob Peter have been active for more than 25 years in the fields of white-collar criminal law and tax criminal law throughout Germany. These highly specialised areas require deep legal expertise and extensive practical experience, particularly in allegations such as fraud, breach of trust, withholding and misappropriation of wages, tax evasion, insolvency offences, bankruptcy, document forgery, and computer fraud.

Assessing whether the investigative file, the charges, an arrest warrant, an asset seizure order, a penalty order or an indictment actually contains sufficient indications of fraud or other criminal offences is only one component of criminal defence. Equally important is understanding how investigative authorities and courts — including the police, public prosecutor’s offices, customs authorities, tax investigation units, district courts, criminal judges, lay judge courts, regional courts, specialised chambers for economic crime, and higher regional courts — approach such allegations in practice.

Only the combination of comprehensive legal knowledge and decades of courtroom experience ensures a solid and effective defence strategy.

Additional Qualifications and Specialisations

In addition to more than 25 years of experience in criminal defence, our attorneys hold further certified qualifications:

• Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law
• Certified Adviser in Tax Criminal Law (DAA)
• Certified Defence Counsel for White-Collar Crime (DSV)
• Certified Accounting Specialist (Dr. Endriss School)
• Certified Data Protection Officer
• Completed advanced studies in tax criminal law (FernUniversität in Hagen)

Criminal Defence from the Very Beginning

At the first sign of an investigation — whether in white-collar or tax-related matters — it is crucial to contact a specialist criminal defence lawyer immediately. Every accused person has the right to remain silent, and exercising this right at the outset is often essential. Typical initial situations include:

• Summons for questioning by police, prosecution, customs or tax authorities (police summons)
• Search warrant (search)
• Asset seizure orders
• Arrest warrant – presentation before the investigating judge – pre-trial detention (pre-trial detention)
• Preliminary arrest (preliminary arrest)

General Criminal Law – Driving Offences, Drug Cases, Robbery and Extradition

In addition to our long-standing focus on economic and tax-related criminal cases, we also provide comprehensive defence in general criminal law matters. These include allegations connected to road traffic, controlled substances, violent offences and cross-border prosecution. Driving-related accusations such as a driving ban, licence withdrawal, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol under Section 316 StGB require precise legal assessment, particularly regarding procedural safeguards and evidentiary standards.

We also defend clients in cases involving drug offences, including the importation of narcotics by organised groups under Section 30 BtMG, drug dealing in significant quantities under Section 29a BtMG, or gang-related drug dealing under Section 30a BtMG.

Serious offences such as robbery, robbery-extortion, aggravated theft (gang theft) or violent conduct often lead to significant custodial sentences. Early involvement of defence counsel is essential to evaluate the evidence, assess procedural risks and secure access to the case file, for example through an application for access to files under Section 147 StPO.

In cross-border matters, extradition proceedings require a detailed understanding of the International Mutual Assistance Act (IRG). We advise and represent clients in cases concerning extradition under German law, including the “principle of speciality” (Extension of Speciality) and assessments of procedural guarantees, dual criminality and potential obstacles to extradition. These cases often require analysing the expected sentence, detention conditions and proportionality considerations in the requesting state.

Further terminology relating to these areas, including procedural stages and typical defence strategies, can be found in our comprehensive legal dictionary.

Criminal Defence at Every Stage of the Proceedings

As fully licensed defence counsel, we represent clients before all investigative authorities and courts in Germany, including the Federal Court of Justice in main hearings, appeals and revisions. We defend clients nationwide, offering meetings in person, by telephone or via common video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Upon request, meetings can also take place at your company.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contact the law firm quickly?

The fastest way is by phone at +49 69 710 33 330 or via the form on our contact page. We offer in-person appointments, telephone consultations and video meetings.

What does Buchert Jacob Peter stand for?

We have specialised exclusively in criminal defence — particularly in white-collar and tax criminal law — for more than 25 years, from initial consultation to representation in court. Typical cases involve fraud, breach of trust, tax evasion, insolvency offences, bankruptcy, document forgery and computer fraud.

What should I do if I receive a police summons as an accused person?

Exercise your right to remain silent and contact a specialist criminal defence lawyer immediately. Our legal dictionary explains the essential aspects of a police summons and the rights of the accused. For rapid assistance, please use our contact page.

How should I behave during a house search?

Remain calm, call us immediately and do not sign any documents without legal advice. Do not make any statements. Details can be found in our entry on search procedures. Direct contact: +49 69 710 33 330.

What happens if an arrest warrant or pre-trial detention is imposed?

We are available at short notice, examine the legal situation and file motions for suspension or cancellation of the detention order. Further information: arrest warrant and pre-trial detention.

Does the law firm also represent companies?

Yes. We defend companies and senior employees in all stages of criminal proceedings, including asset recovery, administrative fines and representation against seizure orders.

Who are the points of contact?

Our attorneys include:
– Dr. Caroline Jacob, Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law
– Frank M. Peter, Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law
– Prof. Dr. Frank Peter Schuster (Of Counsel)
– Tax consultant and former tax investigator Frank Wehrheim (Cooperation Partner)

Does the firm operate only in Frankfurt?

No. We represent clients nationwide before all investigative authorities and courts, including appellate courts and the Federal Court of Justice. Appointments: contact or phone +49 69 710 33 330.

Which documents should I bring to a first consultation?

Official documents such as penalty orders, indictments, seizure orders and relevant correspondence. Additional key concepts can be found in our legal dictionary.

Is there particular expertise in tax criminal law?

Yes — our firm has decades of experience and multiple certified qualifications in cases of tax evasion, withholding and misappropriation of wages and complex corporate tax proceedings.

Overview pages on procedure, judgments and further topics can be found in our legal dictionary.

Corporate Defence and Sanctions

Companies and senior employees are increasingly confronted with administrative fines under Sections 30 and 130 of the German Act on Regulatory Offences (OWiG), which may reach up to EUR 10 million per case. Furthermore, even non-perpetrators can be subject to confiscation of assets obtained through the alleged offence under Sections 74a or 74b of the German Criminal Code or, pursuant to Section 73b StGB, as third-party beneficiaries.

Contact Our Criminal Law Specialists

Our team consists of four specialists offering comprehensive defence services:

• Dr. Caroline Jacob, Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law
• Frank M. Peter, Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law
• Prof. Dr. Frank Peter Schuster (Of Counsel)
• Tax Consultant and Former Tax Investigator Frank Wehrheim

Contact Us – Your Criminal Defence Lawyers in Frankfurt and Across Germany

Our law firm Buchert Jacob Peter has worked in Frankfurt am Main for more than 25 years with experienced criminal defence lawyers. We represent clients throughout Germany.

Telephone: +49 69 710 33 330
Email: kanzlei@dr-buchert.de

Mehr dazu: Tax Criminal Law, Criminal Defence, White-Collar Crime, Attorneys
Email: kanzlei@dr-buchert.de