das  Strafmaß

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtʁaːfˌmaːs/

⚖️ What Exactly is das Strafmaß?

The German word das Strafmaß (neuter gender) refers to the extent, amount, or duration of a penalty or sentence imposed in a legal context. It specifies how severely a person is punished for a committed offense (Straftat).

It represents a specific measure determined by the court after considering all circumstances of the case (Tatumstände), such as guilt (Schuld), mitigating circumstances (mildernde Umstände), aggravating circumstances (erschwerende Umstände), etc.

⚠️ Important: Das Strafmaß refers to the concrete determination of the penalty within a judgment (Urteil), not the punishment (Strafe) itself in a general sense.

📐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of das Strafmaß

The noun das Strafmaß is neuter. It is mostly used in the singular as it often refers to a specific sentencing decision. The plural form (die Strafmaße) is possible but less common, typically referring to multiple sentencing decisions.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Das Gericht verkündete heute das Strafmaß für den Angeklagten.
   (The court announced the sentence for the defendant today.)
2. Bei der Festlegung des Strafmaßes berücksichtigte der Richter die Reue des Täters.
   (When determining the sentence, the judge considered the perpetrator's remorse.)
3. Die Staatsanwaltschaft forderte ein höheres Strafmaß.
   (The prosecution demanded a harsher sentence.)
4. Experten diskutieren über angemessene Strafmaße für Wirtschaftskriminalität (Plural, selten).
   (Experts discuss appropriate sentences for white-collar crime.)

🗣️ How to Use das Strafmaß?

Das Strafmaß is a technical term from the legal field (Rechtswesen) and is mainly used in this context:

• Court proceedings: In judgments (Urteilen), closing arguments (Plädoyers), indictments (Anklageschriften), and legal discussions.
• Legal texts: To describe the possible range of penalties for specific offenses (known as Strafrahmen).
• Media reporting: When reporting on trials and verdicts.

It is often used with verbs like festlegen (to determine), verkünden (to announce), bestimmen (to define), fordern (to demand), mildern (to mitigate), verschärfen (to increase/aggravate).

In everyday language, the word is rather rare. People are more likely to talk about the Höhe der Strafe (amount of the penalty) or the Dauer der Haft (duration of imprisonment).

Distinction:

• Strafmaß vs. Strafe: Die Strafe is the actual penalty imposed (e.g., imprisonment, fine). Das Strafmaß is the specific measure of this penalty (e.g., 3 years imprisonment, a fine of 1000 Euros).
• Strafmaß vs. Strafrahmen: Der Strafrahmen is the legally defined range within which the court must determine das Strafmaß (e.g., imprisonment from 1 to 5 years).

🧠 Mnemonics for das Strafmaß

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Maßband (the measuring tape). Just as you measure something with a measuring tape, the court "measures" the severity of the punishment with the Strafmaß. It's das Maßband, so it's also das Strafmaß.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the scales of justice (Waage). On one side is the Straftat (crime). On the other, the court places the appropriate weight or Maß (measure) – das Strafmaß – to balance the scales.

↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms

🚨 Caution - Misleading Words: Don't confuse with Maßnahme (measure - can also be preventive, e.g., driver's license revocation) or Bußgeld (fine for a minor offense/infraction - typically for administrative offenses, not criminal acts in the strict sense).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Sie haben die Wahl zwischen 10 Tagen Gefängnis oder 1000 Euro Geldstrafe."
Sagt der Angeklagte: "Na, da nehme ich doch lieber das Geld, Herr Richter!"

(The judge asks the defendant: "You have the choice between 10 days in prison or a 1000 Euro fine."
The defendant replies: "Well, in that case, I'd rather take the money, Your Honor!")

(Okay, the joke plays more on the choice of penalty than the specific 'Strafmaß', but it fits the court theme!) 😉

📜 A Poem About the Term

Im Saal der ernsten Richterbank,
fällt nach der Tat, Gott sei Dank,
nicht Willkür, nein, ein weises Wort,
am rechten juristischen Ort.

Man wägt die Schuld, man prüft genau,
ist's Diebstahl, Körperverletzung, Raub, für Mann und Frau.
Dann kommt's zum Schluss, mit ernster Miene,
das Strafmaß – für die Tat die Sühne.

Translation:

In the hall of the solemn judge's bench,
after the deed, thankfully hence,
not arbitrary whim, but a wise word is found,
on proper legal ground.

The guilt is weighed, examined with care,
be it theft, assault, or robbery, for him and her to bear.
Then comes the end, with a serious face,
the sentence – atonement for the case.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Lineal, doch messe genau,
was folgt auf 'ne Tat, für Mann oder Frau.
Das Gericht legt mich fest, mal hoch, mal gering,
ich sage, wie schwer wiegt das sündige Ding.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I'm not a ruler, yet I measure true,
what follows a deed, for him or for you.
The court sets me down, sometimes high, sometimes low,
I tell you how heavy the sinful thing does go.

What am I?

🧩 Word Components and More

Word Composition:

The word "Strafmaß" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• Die Strafe: The punishment, penalty.
• Das Maß: The measure, extent, quantity.

So, literally, it means the "measure of the punishment".

Interesting Note: The term emphasizes the necessity of measurement and proportionality (Verhältnismäßigkeit) in criminal law. It's not just about whether to punish, but how much.