Criminal justice during the German Empire was previously considered mostly the scene of scandal trials and class-based justice - or as the beginning of modern jurisprudence. In this volume, however, Alexandra Ortmann shows that, despite the structurally conditioned asymmetry in the justice system, citizens were generally well informed about judicial matters and acted with force. They were in fact able to escape their role as mere subservients and become responsible subjects. This study describes the world of everyday criminal justice and traces for the first time the perspectives all persons involved: the laypersons, lawyers, media, churches and clubs.

Dr. Alexandra Ortmann arbeitet in der Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Wissenschaft und leitet das Büro der Senatorin.