criminal offense
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criminal offense
The legal definition of a punishable act, which sets out all the elements and requirements that must be met for a particular behavior to count as a criminal offense.
Das Gericht prüfte, ob das Verhalten des Angeklagten den Straftatbestand des Betrugs erfüllt.
The court examined whether the defendant's behavior met the definition of the criminal offense of fraud.
The word is made up of 'Strafe' (punishment), 'Tat' (act), and 'Bestand' (bestand/constituent elements). It therefore literally describes the 'Tatbestandsmerkmale' (elements of an offense), meaning the legally defined components of a punishable act.
Diebstahl ist ein Straftatbestand im Strafgesetzbuch.
Theft is a criminal offense in the criminal code.
In a legal context, 'Straftatbestand' (criminal offense) is very often combined with the verb 'erfüllen' (to fulfill/meet). The specific offense is often attached with the genitive.
Sein Handeln erfüllt den Straftatbestand der Körperverletzung.
His actions meet the definition of the criminal offense of bodily harm.
When the word is used in connection with everyday, non-criminal topics such as food, fashion, or music, it is usually meant humorously. It then expresses strong personal disapproval in an exaggerated way.
Ananas auf Pizza erfüllt für ihn den Straftatbestand des schlechten Geschmacks.
For him, pineapple on pizza constitutes the criminal offense of bad taste.
crime
'das Verbrechen' and 'der Straftatbestand' both have to do with punishable or very serious acts. 'Verbrechen' names the act itself, especially when it is serious, for example murder or robbery. 'Straftatbestand' is much more legal: it means the exact legal definition of an act and the conditions that must be met. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in the area of law. In everyday language, people usually say 'Verbrechen'. 'Straftatbestand' is more appropriate in laws, with the police, in court, or in a legal explanation. Both words can also be used jokingly or figuratively, but 'Straftatbestand' then sounds deliberately exaggerated.
Der Anwalt prüft, ob in diesem Fall wirklich ein Straftatbestand erfüllt ist.
The lawyer is checking whether the elements of a criminal offense are really met in this case.
Die Polizei sucht nach Zeugen für das schwere Verbrechen in der Innenstadt.
The police are looking for witnesses to the serious crime in the city center.