vigilante justice
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vigilante justice
The unlawful action of a person who punishes an alleged crime themselves instead of leaving it to state authorities such as the police and courts. Vigilante justice is illegal in a state governed by the rule of law.
Aus Wut über den Diebstahl griff der Ladenbesitzer zur Selbstjustiz und schlug den Täter nieder.
Out of anger over the theft, the shop owner resorted to vigilante justice and knocked the offender down.
The word is made up of 'selbst' (self) and 'die Justiz' (the justice system). It literally means that someone takes care of justice themselves instead of leaving it to the state.
Das Gesetz verbietet jede Form von Selbstjustiz.
The law prohibits every form of vigilante justice.
'Selbstjustiz' (vigilante justice) is very often used with the verbs 'üben' (to practice/carry out) or in the expression 'zur Selbstjustiz greifen' (to resort to vigilante justice). Both formulations describe the act of taking the law into one's own hands.
Der Mann griff aus Wut zur Selbstjustiz.
The man resorted to vigilante justice out of anger.
The term 'Selbstjustiz' (vigilante justice) always has a strongly negative connotation. It describes an act that is considered unacceptable and criminal in a state governed by the rule of law, not a heroic deed.
Der Richter verurteilte die Tat als einen klaren Fall von Selbstjustiz.
The judge condemned the act as a clear case of vigilante justice.
revenge
'Rache' and 'Selbstjustiz' both have to do with someone wanting to strike back or punish someone themselves after an injustice. 'Rache' is the personal feeling or action of deliberately harming someone out of anger. 'Selbstjustiz' is narrower: a person punishes someone themselves, even though the police and courts should actually be responsible. For that reason, 'Selbstjustiz' sounds much more serious in legal and social terms. The words can be confused because vigilante justice often happens out of revenge. But not every act of revenge is 'Selbstjustiz'.
Die Polizei warnte vor Selbstjustiz, nachdem die Bewohner den Dieb selbst festhalten wollten.
The police warned against vigilante justice after the residents tried to detain the thief themselves.
Aus Rache zerkratzte er das Auto seines Nachbarn.
Out of revenge, he scratched his neighbor's car.