Performing this demanding honorary office requires a high level of physical, mental and
time commitment. In addition to an absolutely impartial attitude, a sense of responsibility,
knowledge of human nature, communication skills, empathy and judgment,
flexibility with regard to scheduling over the entire five-year term of office and physical
resilience are mandatory prerequisites for taking on the role of lay assessor. Legal
knowledge is not a prerequisite for the office; however, lay assessors must know their role in
criminal proceedings, be informed about their rights and duties and have considered the causes of
crime and the meaning and purpose of punishment. They should be prepared to invest
time in educating themselves about their opportunities to participate and shape the process.
Those who are called to judge people need a sense of responsibility for
intervening in the lives of others. Objectivity and impartiality must also
be maintained in difficult situations.
Anyone interested in the office of youth court judge should also meet a number of personal requirements
: Interested candidates must be at least
25 by the start of the term of office on January 1, 2024 and must not yet be 70 years old. They must have German citizenship,
reside in the district of Ludwigsburg and speak good German in order to be able to follow the proceedings
. Neither previous convictions nor major financial difficulties may be present. Interested
should be educationally qualified and experienced in youth education. Such a
qualification can result from professional activity as well as from a corresponding
honorary post or an instructor activity. People working full-time in or for the judiciary (judges,
lawyers, police officers, probation officers, prison officers, etc.) and religious
ministers should not be elected as lay assessors.
Important: The youth welfare committee of the district of Ludwigsburg must nominate 158 applicants
for the office, twice as many women and men as are actually required
. The lay judges' election committees at the respective courts will decide in the second
half of 2023 who will actually be elected as principal or substitute lay judges.
For further information and application forms, please contact Stephanie Mayer at the Ludwigsburg District Office
, phone 07141 144-42052, email: stephanie.mayer@landkreisludwigsburg.
de. All the necessary documents for the application process as well as additional information
on the election of youth lay assessors and the requirements of the office are also available online at
at www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/de/landratsamt-landkreis/kreisverwaltung/dezernat-iv-arbeit-jugend-und-soziales/fb-43-soziales-pflege-und-versorgungsangelegenheiten/.
