Germany

Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB)

CHAPTER II. SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL LAW

Article 3. Retroactivity of Criminal Law

1. The criminal law which nullifies criminality of the action, improves the condition of the offender shall be retroactive. The criminal law, which lays down the criminality of the action, toughens punishment or otherwise aggravates the condition of the offender, shall in no way be retroactive.
2. If a new criminal law commutes the sentence for the action wherefore the convict is serving it, this sentence must be shortened to the extent permitted by the new criminal law.
3. If, from the perpetration of the crime to conviction, the criminal law was changed several times, the most lenient law shall be applied.
4. Coercive measure of educative effect and coercive measure of medical nature shall be applied only under the law, which is applicable during the court settlement of the case.

Keywords

Non-retroactivity



EDIT.