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Citizenship test questions on law and justice
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This topic has 20 questions on courts, the police, penalties and dealing with public authorities. Many ask about the roles in court: what does a judge, a lay assessor (Schöffe) or a lawyer do – and which court handles disputes at work? The second focus is everyday law: where you register a move, how to challenge an incorrect decision or bill, and what you must do before holding a demonstration. There are also questions on antisemitism and criminal law – how Holocaust denial is punished and what is prohibited with regard to Israel. Study tip: learn the terms in pairs, because the wrong options are built on exactly these mix-ups – judge and lawyer, Einspruch and Widerspruch (both mean lodging an objection), residents' registration office and public order office, labour court and local court (Amtsgericht).
What you should know
- A judge works at a court and administers justice by delivering verdicts; proceedings before a court are called a trial (Prozess).
- A trial happens, for example, when someone has committed a criminal offence and is charged – not because of their opinions or a change of religion.
- Lay assessors (Schöffinnen and Schöffen) are volunteer judges who decide on guilt and sentence together with professional judges.
- A lawyer (Rechtsanwalt/Rechtsanwältin) advises you on legal matters and represents you in court.
- Disputes at work, such as unjustified dismissal, go to the labour court (Arbeitsgericht).
- The police monitor compliance with the law; if you want to hold a street demonstration, you must register it in advance.
- Young people are criminally responsible from 14: if they break criminal law they can be punished – under juvenile criminal law, not automatically like adults.
- Denying the Holocaust is antisemitic and punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine (question 96); publicly calling for Israel's destruction is also prohibited – criticising Israeli government policy is not.
- When you move home you register at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt); the public order office (Ordnungsamt) is part of the municipal administration.
- To challenge an incorrect tax assessment you lodge an Einspruch, against an incorrect bill from another authority a Widerspruch, and if you are treated badly at an authority you can complain to its head – our citizenship test glossary explains the terms.
The questions with the correct answer (20 questions)
Practise this topicQuestion 56
Which office in Germany is part of the municipal administration?
Welches Amt gehört in Deutschland zur Gemeindeverwaltung?
- Parish office (Pfarramt)
- Public order office (Ordnungsamt) – Correct answer
- Tax office (Finanzamt)
- Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt)
In the test (German): Ordnungsamt
View this questionQuestion 96
How can someone who denies the Holocaust be punished?
Wie kann jemand, der den Holocaust leugnet, bestraft werden?
- reduction of social benefits
- up to 100 hours of community service
- not at all, Holocaust denial is permitted
- with imprisonment of up to five years or a fine – Correct answer
In the test (German): mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu fünf Jahren oder mit Geldstrafe
View this questionQuestion 111
Which actions relating to the State of Israel are prohibited in Germany?
Welche Handlungen mit Bezug auf den Staat Israel sind in Deutschland verboten?
- publicly criticising Israel's policies
- hanging an Israeli flag on one's private property
- a discussion about Israel's policies
- a public call for the destruction of Israel – Correct answer
In the test (German): der öffentliche Aufruf zur Vernichtung Israels
View this questionQuestion 136
In Germany, you go to the labour court in the case of …
Sie gehen in Deutschland zum Arbeitsgericht bei …
- an incorrect statement of ancillary costs.
- unjustified dismissal by your boss. – Correct answer
- problems with your neighbours.
- difficulties after a traffic accident.
In the test (German): ungerechtfertigter Kündigung durch Ihre Chefin/Ihren Chef.
View this questionQuestion 137
Which court is responsible in Germany for conflicts in the world of work?
Welches Gericht ist in Deutschland bei Konflikten in der Arbeitswelt zuständig?
- the family court
- the criminal court
- the labour court – Correct answer
- the local court
In the test (German): das Arbeitsgericht
View this questionQuestion 139
When does a court trial take place in Germany? When someone …
Wann kommt es in Deutschland zu einem Prozess vor Gericht? Wenn jemand …
- converts to another religion.
- has committed a criminal offence and is charged. – Correct answer
- holds a different opinion from that of the government.
- has parked their car incorrectly and it is towed away.
In the test (German): eine Straftat begangen hat und angeklagt wird.
View this questionQuestion 140
What does a lay assessor do in Germany? They …
Was macht eine Schöffin/ein Schöffe in Deutschland? Sie/Er …
- decide together with judges on guilt and punishment. – Correct answer
- give citizens legal advice.
- issue official documents.
- defend the accused.
In the test (German): entscheidet mit Richterinnen/Richtern über Schuld und Strafe.
View this questionQuestion 141
Who advises people on legal questions in Germany and represents them in court?
Wer berät in Deutschland Personen bei Rechtsfragen und vertritt sie vor Gericht?
- a lawyer – Correct answer
- a judge
- a lay assessor
- a public prosecutor
In the test (German): eine Rechtsanwältin/ein Rechtsanwalt
View this questionQuestion 142
What is the main task of a judge in Germany? A judge …
Was ist die Hauptaufgabe einer Richterin/eines Richters in Deutschland? Eine Richterin/ein Richter …
- represents citizens in a court.
- works at a court and delivers verdicts. – Correct answer
- changes laws.
- looks after young people in court.
In the test (German): arbeitet an einem Gericht und spricht Urteile.
View this questionQuestion 146
What are proceedings before a court called in Germany?
Wie nennt man in Deutschland ein Verfahren vor einem Gericht?
- programme
- procedure
- protocol
- trial – Correct answer
In the test (German): Prozess
View this questionQuestion 147
What is the work of a judge in Germany?
Was ist die Arbeit einer Richterin/eines Richters in Deutschland?
- governing Germany
- administering justice – Correct answer
- drawing up plans
- enacting laws
In the test (German): Recht sprechen
View this questionQuestion 148
What is one task of the police in Germany?
Was ist eine Aufgabe der Polizei in Deutschland?
- to defend the country
- to eavesdrop on citizens
- to pass laws
- to monitor compliance with the laws – Correct answer
In the test (German): die Einhaltung von Gesetzen zu überwachen
View this questionQuestion 149
What is an example of antisemitic behaviour?
Was ist ein Beispiel für antisemitisches Verhalten?
- attending a Jewish festival
- criticising the Israeli government
- denying the Holocaust – Correct answer
- playing football against Jews.
In the test (German): den Holocaust leugnen
View this questionQuestion 150
In Germany, a court lay assessor is …
Eine Gerichtsschöffin/ein Gerichtsschöffe in Deutschland ist …
- the deputy of the head of a town.
- a volunteer judge. – Correct answer
- a member of a municipal council.
- a person who has studied law.
In the test (German): eine ehrenamtliche Richterin/ein ehrenamtlicher Richter.
View this questionQuestion 243
Maik and Sybille want to hold a street demonstration with friends in the German town where they live. What do they have to do beforehand?
Maik und Sybille wollen mit Freunden an ihrem deutschen Wohnort eine Demonstration auf der Straße abhalten. Was müssen sie vorher tun?
- They have to register the demonstration. – Correct answer
- They don't have to do anything. In Germany you may demonstrate anywhere at any time.
- They can't do anything at all, because demonstrations are prohibited in principle in Germany.
- Maik and Sybille have to found a new association, because only associations are allowed to demonstrate.
In the test (German): Sie müssen die Demonstration anmelden.
View this questionQuestion 253
Where do you have to register when you move home in Germany?
Wo müssen Sie sich anmelden, wenn Sie in Deutschland umziehen?
- at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) – Correct answer
- at the registry office (Standesamt)
- at the public order office (Ordnungsamt)
- at the trade licensing office (Gewerbeamt)
In the test (German): beim Einwohnermeldeamt
View this questionQuestion 263
In Germany, young people are criminally responsible from the age of 14. This means: young people who are 14 years old or older and break criminal laws …
In Deutschland sind Jugendliche ab 14 Jahren strafmündig. Das bedeutet: Jugendliche, die 14 Jahre und älter sind und gegen Strafgesetze verstoßen, …
- are punished. – Correct answer
- are treated like adults.
- share the punishment with their parents.
- are not punished.
In the test (German): werden bestraft.
View this questionQuestion 276
What should you do if you are treated badly by your contact person at a German public authority?
Was sollten Sie tun, wenn Sie von Ihrer Ansprechpartnerin/Ihrem Ansprechpartner in einer deutschen Behörde schlecht behandelt werden?
- I can't do anything.
- I have to put up with this treatment.
- I threaten the person.
- I can complain to the head of the authority. – Correct answer
In the test (German): Ich kann mich bei der Behördenleiterin/beim Behördenleiter beschweren.
View this questionQuestion 280
If you want to challenge an incorrect tax assessment in Germany, you must …
Wenn Sie sich in Deutschland gegen einen falschen Steuerbescheid wehren wollen, müssen Sie …
- do nothing.
- throw the assessment away.
- lodge an objection. – Correct answer
- wait until another assessment arrives.
In the test (German): Einspruch einlegen.
View this questionQuestion 283
What do you do if you receive an incorrect bill from a German public authority?
Was tun Sie, wenn Sie eine falsche Rechnung von einer deutschen Behörde bekommen?
- I leave the bill lying around.
- I file an objection with the authority. – Correct answer
- I send the bill back to the authority.
- I take the bill to the tax office (Finanzamt).
In the test (German): Ich lege Widerspruch bei der Behörde ein.
View this question
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Frequently asked questions
How many questions on law and justice are in the citizenship test?
There's no set number. This topic has 20 of the 300 general questions, so on average about 2 of your 30 general questions come from it – it can be more or fewer.
What is a Schöffe in Germany?
A Schöffe or Schöffin is a lay assessor – a volunteer judge in criminal cases. They don't need legal training, but they decide on guilt and sentence together with the professional judges.
What is the difference between Einspruch and Widerspruch?
Both mean formally objecting to an official decision. Against a tax assessment from the tax office you lodge an Einspruch; against decisions or bills from other authorities it is usually a Widerspruch. Which remedy and deadline apply is stated in the instructions on legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) at the end of the decision.
Keep reading
- Knowledge for the testThe Basic Law and fundamental rights: what you need to knowHuman dignity, freedom of expression, equality and freedom of religion: the fundamental rights in Germany's Basic Law and its core principles, explained simply.
- Knowledge for the testCitizenship test glossary: key German terms from A to ZFraktion, Koalition, Rechtsstaat, Sozialversicherung: the key German terms from the citizenship test, explained briefly in plain English.
- Test questions by topicCitizenship test questions on Europe and the EUThe European Union, the euro, the European Parliament and Germany's neighbours: every Europe question in the citizenship test, with answers.
This guide is not legal advice. Laws and administrative practice can change; your naturalisation authority's information is binding.