Criminal law is often described as the state’s last resort or ultima ratio, but the number of areas of life permeated by criminal law (and thus also the number of criminal provisions) has nevertheless significantly increased. This development requires reflection: not just on individual penal sanctions, but also on what exactly punishment and criminal law are, can do and are allowed to do. Inextricably linked to this is criminal procedure law, which determines the application of criminal law and tries to balance numerous conflicting interests. It deserves critical examination as the ‘seismograph of the state constitution’ (Roxin). Building on this premise, Stefan Maeder’s professorship tackles various fields of substantive criminal law and criminal procedure law in research and teaching.

More information about Asst. Prof. Stefan Maeder