Decline in Unresolved Criminal Investigations in Brandenburg

The state of Brandenburg is witnessing a reduction in the number of unresolved criminal investigations, contrasting with the national trend where many public prosecutors are overwhelmed with cases. According to recent data from the German Judges' Association, as of the end of last year, there were 36,674 cases pending resolution, a notable decrease from 42,606 the previous year. However, compared to 2021, when there were only 32,060 open cases, the backlog has indeed increased.

This development reflects a broader national issue, as the total number of unresolved cases across the country has surged to nearly 933,000, marking an almost 30% rise since 2021. This trend has resulted in prolonged legal proceedings and a decrease in the number of prosecutions, as noted by the German Judges' Association.

In Brandenburg, the increase in new cases continues unabated. The prosecutors received 181,522 new cases last year, representing a slight rise from 180,745 in 2023. This upward trajectory has been consistent over the past years, with figures from 2021 showing only 155,927 new cases.

The statistics are based on a survey conducted by the German Judges' Association, which focused exclusively on cases involving known defendants. The association's insights indicate that while Brandenburg is experiencing a decline in unresolved cases relative to the previous year, the overall situation reflects a troubling pattern seen across the nation, where more than 5.3 million new cases were recorded in 2024 compared to 4.7 million in 2021.