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General Criminal Law
General Criminal Law

Lawyer for Criminal Law in Vienna

Criminal charges are a stressful situation. As a law firm specializing in criminal law, our focus is on defending individuals and companies against criminal charges. Under the leadership of attorney Dr. Elias Schönborn, we offer comprehensive support in criminal law matters in Vienna and throughout Austria. We stand by your side in challenging times, both legally and personally. With a defense at the highest level, we ensure the protection of your rights and can thus achieve an optimal outcome of the proceedings for you.
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Discreet help from a lawyer with criminal charges

Criminal law is the sharpest weapon of the law. Even a mere suspicion can trigger extensive investigative measures that encroach deeply on your fundamental rights. The impending penalties can threaten your existence and cause massive damage to your good reputation. It is therefore essential to consult an experienced criminal law attorney at an early stage in the event of such allegations in order to protect your rights and make the best possible use of your defense options.

You should therefore seek advice from a lawyer specializing in criminal law before complying with a summons for questioning by the police or answering as an accused or defendant in court criminal proceedings.

Specialized law firm for criminal law in VIenna

Our law firm offers comprehensive representation in criminal law. We have extensive expertise in various areas of criminal law, including

Due to our specialization and litigation experience, we can look back on a large number of successful defenses in complex and particularly challenging cases.

Dr. Schönborn and his team take on cases involving the following criminal charges, among others:

Personal and competent advice from your lawyer for criminal law in Vienna

Every case is unique – which is why we develop tailor-made defense strategies. Our criminal law firm offers comprehensive support in all phases of criminal proceedings. From the initial consultation and representation in the preliminary proceedings to the defense in the main hearing and representation in appeal proceedings, we are at your side with our criminal law expertise. In all aspects of our work, we attach particular importance to providing our clients with personal legal advice. We “translate” legalese into understandable language. By clearly communicating our criminal law assessments, we create security and trust. This understanding of our clients forms the basis for our strategic legal considerations and cooperation with foresight – and on an equal footing.

Support for victims of criminal acts

In addition to criminal defense, we also support victims of criminal offenses in enforcing their claims in the course of private participation. As an experienced criminal lawyer in Vienna, Dr. Elias Schönborn is also available to victims and witnesses as a trusted legal advisor and proactively advises and represents them at every stage of the proceedings.

Many years of specialization in criminal law

Dr. Schönborn has extensive experience in criminal law and can look back on a large number of successful defense cases. He is also the author of numerous criminal law publications and regularly gives lectures on the subject of criminal law. He is a member of various criminal law organizations, including

  • Association of Austrian Criminal Defense Lawyers (VÖStV)
  • Austrian White Collar Crime Association (AWCCA)
  • European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
  • Association for Economic Crime (WisteV)

We are well networked, have extensive expertise and are at your side in every phase of criminal proceedings. Get in touch with us now.

Dr. Elias Schönborn
Dr. Elias Schönborn
Attorney at Law & Criminal Defense Lawyer

FAQ

  • 1. What are the penalties under Austrian criminal law?

    In Austria, criminal offenses are subject to punishment in accordance with the Austrian Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB). In essence, a distinction is drawn between fines, which are assessed in daily rates up to a maximum of 720 daily rates with a maximum amount of EUR 5,000 per daily rate, and prison sentences, which can range up to a maximum of 20 years or life imprisonment. The severity of the punishment depends on the penalty range of the respective offense, the guilt of the offender and the severity of the crime committed. The criminal court also considers aggravating and mitigating factors when sentencing. Special provisions can be found in juvenile criminal law, where offenses are punished with significantly more lenient penalties.

  • 2. I am accused of having committed a criminal offense. What should I bear in mind as accused and when should I instruct a criminal lawyer?

    It is of the utmost importance for accused persons to resist the temptation and pressure to make hasty statements about the allegations without first obtaining knowledge of the file and without prior legal advice. Any statement made to the police may be used as evidence against you. If criminal proceedings have been initiated against you, it is advisable to contact a criminal lawyer without delay. The attorney is obliged to maintain confidentiality, informs you of your rights and develops a suitable defense strategy together with you as part of the criminal defense.
    A lawyer versed in criminal law knows the exact course and particularities of criminal proceedings and is thus able to assist you in comprehending the nature of the accusation and in preparing adequately for questioning by the police or for a court hearing. The lawyer will safeguard your defense interests and rights in the most optimal manner, thereby increasing the chances of a favorable outcome to the proceedings.

  • 3. What rigths do I have as accused in criminal proceedings and what are the most significant rights of accused persons?

    The rights of the accused that every accused has in criminal proceedings are regulated in the Code of Criminal Procedure (Strafprozessordnung, StPO) and listed in Sec 49 StPO. The most significant rights of the accused include the following: Every accused person is entitled to be informed of the subject matter of the suspicion held against them and of their fundamental rights in the proceedings (Sec 50 StPO). The right to access the files (Sec 51 StPO) is one of the most important rights of the accused and gives the accused the opportunity to find out about the specific allegation and the results of the investigation and main proceedings to date. Furthermore, every accused individual is entitled to choose a defense counsel and to have him or her present during interrogation in order to receive legal support and representation (Sec 58 StPO).
    It is also of central importance to consider the rights to submit motions of evidence (Sec 55 StPO) and to lodge a complaint (Sec 87 StPO) or an objection due to legal violations (Sec 106 StPO). In addition, there are numerous other rights to which an accused is entitled in criminal proceedings and knowledge of these rights is essential for an effective defense against criminal charges.

  • 4. What impact can a concivtion for a criminal offense have on my professional future?

    A criminal conviction not only results in imprisonment or a fine, but also leads to an entry in the criminal record, even for relatively minor penalties, which can have a considerable negative impact on your professional future and job search. A sentence of more than six months' imprisonment for an offense in the area of commercial criminal law (e.g. fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent insolvency etc) also leads to so-called disqualification under company law. This implies that the convicted person may no longer be a managing director of a GmbH or a member of the board of directors of an AG for a period of three years (Sec 15 para 1a GmbHG and Sec 75 para 2a AktG).
    In numerous professional fields, a criminal conviction can also result in disciplinary consequences, which may ultimately lead to the individual’s removal from the respective professional list and thus a prohibition on practicing the profession. In the healthcare sector, this pertains to doctors, dentists and pharmacists, among others. In the business world, it encompasses lawyers, notaries, auditors and tax consultants, among others.

  • 5. What should I do if I am accused of having committed a criminal offense and have received a summons as the accused or defendant?

    If you are accused of having committed a criminal offense, it is important to remain calm and not make any premature statements. As an accused, you have the right to remain silent and should exercise this right before consulting a lawyer. Contact a lawyer specializing in criminal law immediately - preferably before your interrogation - who will protect your rights, inspect the files and work with you to develop a tailor-made defence strategy. To avoid making unnecessary mistakes, do not provide information about the facts of the case until you are familiar with the criminal file and have obtained criminal legal advice.

Are you looking for an experienced criminal lawyer?

Contact us.

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es.law is your specialised law firm at the interface between Criminal Law, Compliance and Whistleblowing. We advise and represent you throughout Austria.

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DR. ELIAS SCHÖNBORN

Attorney at Law and Criminal Defense Lawyer

Stoß im Himmel 3/11b
1010 Wien