der  Oberstaatsanwalt

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈoːbɐˌʃtaːtsʔanvalt/

🏛️ What does Oberstaatsanwalt mean?

Der Oberstaatsanwalt is a senior public prosecutor in Germany. This official holds a rank within the public prosecutor's office (Staatsanwaltschaft) above a regular Staatsanwalt (public prosecutor) and below the Generalstaatsanwalt (prosecutor general).

It is an official title within the higher judicial service (höherer Justizdienst). An Oberstaatsanwalt often heads a department within the prosecutor's office or acts as the permanent deputy of the head of the authority.

Since it refers to a professional title for a person, typically male in its base form, the article is definitively der. The female form is die Oberstaatsanwältin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Oberstaatsanwalt

The word "Oberstaatsanwalt" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

Example Sentences 📝

• Der Oberstaatsanwalt leitete die Pressekonferenz.
  (The Senior Public Prosecutor led the press conference.)
• Die Entscheidung des Oberstaatsanwalts wurde erwartet.
  (The decision of the Senior Public Prosecutor was awaited.)
• Wir sprachen mit dem zuständigen Oberstaatsanwalt.
  (We spoke with the responsible Senior Public Prosecutor.)
• Man ernannte ihn zum Oberstaatsanwalt.
  (He was appointed Senior Public Prosecutor.)
• Mehrere Oberstaatsanwälte waren bei der Tagung anwesend.
  (Several Senior Public Prosecutors were present at the conference.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term Oberstaatsanwalt is primarily used in legal and administrative contexts. It denotes a specific position within the German judiciary.

• Official Title: Used in official documents, court proceedings, and news reports concerning the judiciary.
• Hierarchy: Used to describe the ranking within a public prosecutor's office (e.g., "Er wurde zum Oberstaatsanwalt befördert." - He was promoted to Senior Public Prosecutor.).
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from Staatsanwalt (lower rank) and Generalstaatsanwalt (higher rank, heads a regional prosecutor general's office).

In general conversation outside legal circles, people might simply say "Staatsanwalt" (prosecutor) if the specific rank isn't relevant.

💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The Ober-boss (masculine!) of the state prosecutors needs der.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "Ober" like in Oberkellner (head waiter) – someone over others. The Oberstaatsanwalt is over the regular Staatsanwalt and represents the Staat (state) as the prosecutor (Anwalt=lawyer/advocate).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms (similar meaning):

• Leitender Oberstaatsanwalt (LStA or LOStA - often an even higher, leading function, sometimes used synonymously but not always identical)
• Chefankläger (colloquial, imprecise term for chief prosecutor)
• Abteilungsleiter bei der Staatsanwaltschaft (functionally similar: head of department at the public prosecutor's office)

Antonyms (opposite roles in a broader sense):

• Verteidiger / Rechtsanwalt (defense attorney - the opposing party in criminal proceedings)
• Richter (judge - decides on the indictment)
• Staatsanwalt (public prosecutor - lower rank)
• Generalstaatsanwalt (prosecutor general - higher rank)

Similar, potentially misleading terms:

• Amtsanwalt: Represents the prosecution in local courts (Amtsgericht) for less serious offenses.
• Bundesanwalt: Federal prosecutor responsible for specific serious crimes at the federal level (at the office of the Generalbundesanwalt).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Haben Sie einen Anwalt?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, aber ich habe einen Freund, der ist Oberstaatsanwalt!"
Richter: "Und was sagt Ihr Freund dazu?"
Angeklagter: "Er sagt, ich sei absolut schuldig."

Translation:

The judge asks the defendant: "Do you have a lawyer?"
Defendant: "No, but I have a friend who is a Senior Public Prosecutor!"
Judge: "And what does your friend say about it?"
Defendant: "He says I'm absolutely guilty."

📜 Poem about the Oberstaatsanwalt

Im Justizpalast, in ernstem Haus,
führt der Oberstaatsanwalt die Klage aus.
Mit Aktenbergen, scharfem Sinn,
sucht er nach Wahrheit, tief darin.
Ein Diener des Rechts, dem Staat zur Ehr',
sein Amt ist wichtig, oft auch schwer.
Er prüft Beweise, jedes Wort,
an diesem wichtigen, ernsten Ort.

Translation:

In the palace of justice, a serious house,
the Senior Public Prosecutor brings the charge forth.
With mountains of files, a sharp mind,
he seeks the truth, deep inside.
A servant of justice, honoring the state,
his office is important, often also weighted.
He examines evidence, every word,
in this important, serious court.

❓ Riddle

Ich trage eine Robe, doch richte nicht selbst.
Ich klage an im Namen des Staates, bin höher als manch ein Welf.
Unter dem General, doch über dem Anwalt im Saal,
wer bin ich, in der Justiz eine wichtige Wahl?

Translation:

I wear a robe, but do not judge myself.
I prosecute in the name of the state, am higher than many a Guelph (noble family, implying high status).
Below the General, but above the lawyer in the hall,
who am I, an important choice in the judiciary's call?

Solution: Der Oberstaatsanwalt (The Senior Public Prosecutor)

More Facts about the Oberstaatsanwalt

Word Composition:

The word is composed of:

• Ober-: Prefix indicating a higher position or rank (like in Oberarzt - senior physician, Oberkellner - head waiter).
• Staatsanwalt: Public prosecutor, the official representing the prosecution in criminal proceedings (from Staat - state + Anwalt - lawyer/advocate).

Salary: Oberstaatsanwälte in Germany are typically paid according to salary group R2 (judges' salary scale - Richterbesoldung).

Female Form: The correct female form is "die Oberstaatsanwältin".