Folgeverstoß

Folgeverstoß is a term primarily used in German legal contexts, specifically within criminal law. It translates roughly to "subsequent offense" or "repeat offense" and refers to a situation where an individual commits a new crime after having already been convicted of a previous crime. The concept is important because it can influence sentencing. In many legal systems, including the German one, a prior conviction can lead to harsher penalties for subsequent offenses. This is often justified by the idea that a repeat offender has demonstrated a disregard for the law and the consequences of their actions, thus warranting a more severe response from the justice system. The specific legal requirements and consequences of a Folgeverstoß vary by jurisdiction and the nature of the offenses involved. It is not a universally applied term and the legal treatment of repeat offenders differs significantly across countries. The focus is on the temporal element: a new offense occurring after an established, legally recognized prior offense.