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The cost of the word “you”: 150 euros or one day and 12 hours in substitute custody. The violation of decency is an administrative offense that is often reported by police officers when they feel that their honor has been violated. The crime is regulated in state security laws and is therefore interpreted differently in nine federal states. In practice, this means that decisions are generally made on a case-by-case basis, often in court.
Similar cases have already caused a stir in the past: The case of a student who has to pay a fine of 500 euros for a fart near officials has not yet been decided: Mitja M. announced that he will appeal the sentence. “It’s not just about the height, it’s about the issue itself,” says the 22-year-old. “What’s next? Are you reported for not showering and stinking?”
“Hey!”
The case of a bartender who burped loudly while eating kebabs at the Praterstern near the police station in 2016 gives you cause for hope. He was fined 70 euros, also for a “violation of decency”. It resisted and was governed by the Administrative Court. The reason: there was no apparent intention.
A journalist was also lucky when he said “Oida” to a policeman in 2018 and was supposed to pay 110 euros for it: the process was suspended because the court did not consider the statement as a greeting, but as an expression of disgust. Freedom of speech covers that.
