Verstöße

Verstöße is a German term that denotes violations or breaches of rules, laws, or norms. It is a broad, neutral designation used to describe acts that do not comply with statutory provisions, regulatory requirements, or codes of conduct. The expression is common in legal, administrative, and compliance contexts as well as in everyday language.

In German law, Verstöße often refer to non-criminal breaches of regulation, i.e., administrative offenses (Ordnungswidrigkeiten). However, the term can also be applied to violations of contractual obligations or internal rules within organizations. The seriousness of a Verstoß varies; more severe breaches may be classified as crimes (Straftaten) or as less serious offenses (Vergehen) under criminal law.

Examples include traffic violations such as speeding, running a red light, or illegal parking; violations of environmental, labor, or consumer protection regulations; breaches of licensing conditions, building codes, or data-protection rules. Depending on the context, Verstöße may result in penalties like fines, administrative costs, points on a driving record, or corrective orders. Repeated or aggravated Verstöße can lead to higher sanctions, license suspensions, or civil liability.

Context and usage: the term appears across legal texts, policy debates, journalism, and compliance reporting. It highlights non-compliance with established rules rather than moral judgment, and its precise consequences depend on whether the breach is treated as an administrative offense, a criminal offense, or a civil violation. The plural form Verstöße emphasizes multiple instances of non-compliance.