Straffrabatt

Straffrabatt is a reduction of the punishment prescribed by law that a court may grant to a person found guilty of a crime. It is not an additional penalty, but a discount applied to the final sentence within the framework of the applicable statute. The exact rules and limits for how much discount may be given differ between countries and legal systems, but the concept is common in many jurisdictions.

Grounds for a straffrabatt typically include admission of guilt, cooperation with authorities during investigations, and mitigating circumstances such as the offender’s age, health, lack of prior criminal record, or the overall circumstances of the offence. In some systems, a plea of guilty or the provision of useful information can lead to a discount. The court, considering the evidence and legal standards, decides the size of the discount and the resulting sentence.

Straffrabatt is related to but distinct from the base offense determination. It is an adjustment of the sanction after the court has determined the nature and severity of the crime. It can apply to imprisonment, fines, or other penalties and is subject to proportionality and statutory limits defined by law. In practice, the discount is explained in the verdict, and in some jurisdictions prosecutors may offer incentives or agreements that influence the final sentence.

The use and size of straffrabatt vary by jurisdiction and case, and it is typically designed to reflect factors such as remorse, cooperation, and social considerations while maintaining the seriousness of the offence.