lay judge
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lay judge
An honorary judge (layperson) who takes part in court proceedings in Germany and other countries and decides on guilt and punishment together with professional judges.
Als Schöffe am Amtsgericht hatte er eine große Verantwortung.
As a lay judge at the local court, he had a great responsibility.
'Der Schöffe' (the lay judge) is a noun of the N-declension. This means that it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular. This is a common mistake among learners.
Das Gericht befragte den Schöffen nach seiner Meinung.
The court asked the lay judge for his opinion.
A Schöffe (lay judge) is not a professional judge, but a citizen who performs an honorary public role. This system of lay participation is an important part of the German justice system.
Viele Bürger wissen nicht, dass sie zum Schöffen berufen werden können.
Many citizens do not know that they can be appointed as lay judges.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with this office. Typical phrases are 'zum Schöffen berufen werden' (to be appointed as a lay judge), 'als Schöffe tätig sein' (to serve as a lay judge), or 'als Schöffe am Gericht mitwirken' (to participate in court as a lay judge).
Sie wurde für die nächste Amtsperiode zur Schöffin berufen.
She was appointed as a lay judge for the next term of office.
judge
Richter is the general term for a person who makes decisions in court and, without any further specification, usually refers to a professional judge. A Schöffe is more specifically a volunteer lay judge who decides on guilt and punishment together with professional judges.
Der Schöffe beriet gemeinsam mit dem Berufsrichter über Schuld und Strafe.
The lay judge deliberated with the professional judge on guilt and punishment.
Der Richter leitete die Verhandlung und verkündete anschließend das Urteil.
The judge presided over the proceedings and then announced the verdict.
