Received a penalty order — what now?

You can only object to a penalty order within 2 weeks (Sec. 410 StPO) — after that it becomes final like a judgment. Check the deadline, the fine and the criminal-record consequences.

The date on the yellow envelope — not the date of the order itself.
Stated in the order, e.g. "60 daily rates of €40 each".
€
To check the daily-rate amount — the court often merely estimates your income.

Your objection deadline is still running

Last day for the objection:

Time is running out!

Last day for the objection: — Contact a criminal defence lawyer immediately — the objection must reach the court within the deadline.

The 2-week deadline has expired

The penalty order is final and equivalent to a judgment. If you missed the deadline through no fault of your own, reinstatement may be possible (Secs. 44, 45 StPO) — have this checked by a lawyer immediately.

Your fine

Daily rate (net ÷ 30)
Total amount

Simplified per Sec. 40 StGB (net income ÷ 30; maintenance obligations reduce the rate). If the daily rate in the order deviates clearly from this, the court probably misjudged your income — a restricted objection addresses exactly that.

Up to 90 daily rates, the fine does NOT normally appear in the certificate of conduct (Führungszeugnis) — provided there are no other entries (Sec. 32(2) no. 5 BZRG). It is still recorded in the central register.
From 91 daily rates, the fine appears in the certificate of conduct — colloquially you then have a criminal record, with possible consequences for employment and residence status. This is precisely where a (possibly restricted) objection is most worthwhile — have it checked by a lawyer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A conviction without a trial: the court decides on the prosecution's application based on the file alone — you were never heard. Without an objection, the penalty order becomes final like a judgment.

It depends on the case: with a wrong income estimate, excessive daily rates or weak evidence, often yes. The objection can be restricted to the daily-rate amount — then only the amount is corrected, without a trial on the question of guilt. Risk: with a full objection, the court is not bound by the penalty order.

Per Sec. 40 StGB: normally your net income divided by 30, reduced by maintenance obligations (€1 to €30,000 per daily rate). The court often does not know your income and estimates it — frequently too high. With salary statements, the rate can be corrected in the objection proceedings.

Every conviction is entered in the central register (BZR). But the certificate of conduct — which employers see — only shows a fine above 90 daily rates or where other entries exist (Sec. 32 BZRG). For residence permits and naturalisation, even smaller fines can matter — seek legal advice precisely then.

The objection itself is free. If it comes to a trial and the conviction stands, you bear the proceedings' costs and your defence. A restricted objection on the daily-rate amount can often be resolved without a hearing.

Not legal advice. Deadline calculation without public holidays (Sec. 43 StPO); daily rate simplified per Sec. 40 StGB without maintenance deductions; record rule per Sec. 32 BZRG (exceptions possible). Binding assessment only by a criminal defence lawyer.