Updated Babelfish translation of this German article "Nazi-Gesetz und kein Ende" from Anwalts Magazin Nr. 13/2003 (lawyers magazine).

Nazi law and no end

Little intuitive feeling showed the Nuremberg court, when it condemned the Jew and former co-worker of the ,,Jüdische Wochenzeitung'' (Jewish weekly paper) '' GÖTZ BOCKMANN just due to a law of anti-Semitic origin, because he supported Jewish immigrants with advice before German authorities.

For judge KLAAS WERNER the case was legally unproblematic in November 2001 and the facts clearly: Unlawful commercial legal aid. Thereupon he did impose a fine over 900 DM, a pasteboard handle for an unemployed person. Nobody doubts that the Nuernberger judge had correctly proceeded the law, even if other possibilities had been possible, in order to avoid that the case gave large large waves and echo from the world. Thus the fate of the GÖTZ BOCKMANN employs also foreign countries, and suspicions arise, which would not have been necessary.

Because of his bad financial circumstances GÖTZ BOCKMANN has been entitled to clear away the fine in rates. This gesture of legal generosity might not have assumed the Jewish journalist first, because he saw himself as a victim of a law, which continues a legal tradition of the Nazi state.

The actual law on legal advice of December 1935 is a result of the Nuremberg racist laws. Implementing regulations ensured that Jewish lawyers and judges, who, could be no longer active for "race reasons'' and were not allowed to assist suffering comrades before court. The implementing regulations were waived 1945, but the Nazi law remained.

Against the Jew GÖTZ BOCKMANN the enforcement detention was imposed, although he had nevertheless still begun with the payment he originally refused. The grant of the payment by instalments was discontinued with the recommendation to limit other expenses for living, to pay the full sum at one time payment.

Nevertheless GÖTZ BOCKMANN must not go from his tiny room, which he cannot heat in the winter from shortage of money, to a prison cell. But not, because the Nuremberg court showed mercy, but because the former judge at the OLG (higher regional court) Braunschweig, Dr. HELMUT KRAMER ("legal systems Robin Hood"), paid from his own pocket.

Ex judge KRAMER knows from own experience, what happens helping unselfishly for persons who need help. He also got a fine because of unlawful legal advice. However he also has the medal "Order of Merit", because he fought for the abolition of Nazi death sentences, when he retired.

PS: This case is now a complaint at the European Court of Human rights, filed 13. November 2002 (No. 40901/02). The Law of Legal Advice is challenged by a constitutional complaint of 6. April 2000. The result 1 BvR 737/00 of 29. July 2004 is that judges are now allowed to give altruistic legal advice.

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