Täter

Täter is a German legal term meaning the person who commits a crime. In German criminal law, a Täter is the individual who realises the elements of a criminal offense through his own act or omission, either alone or together with others. The concept is used to attribute liability to the one who brings about the criminal result, and it is distinguished from other roles that participate in the offense.

Etymology: The term derives from the German verb to act; “Täter” literally means “doer” or “one who acts.” It has been used in legal and everyday language for centuries.

In practice, German criminal law distinguishes between several forms of participation. A Mittäter, or co-perpetrator, shares the commission of the offense with others and thus is also a Täter in the sense of having realised the crime. An Anstifter instigates or prompts another person to commit the crime but may or may not physically perform the act. A Gehilfe assists in the commission of the crime without being the primary offender. Depending on the circumstances, a person may be a Täter despite not being the sole actor, for example in joint planning and execution.

The term is widely used in legal texts, court decisions, and media reports. While central to German-speaking jurisdictions, the precise definitions and liability consequences for Täter and related roles vary in other legal systems. In everyday language, Täter is commonly used to mean “culprit” or “perpetrator.”