Absurd legal situation: German pensioner ends up in prison for 8 km/h!

Absurd legal situation: German pensioner ends up in prison for 8 km/h!

A German couple from Emmingen, Hannelore and Roland Hipp, has experienced a dramatic discussion in Switzerland because of a speed violation that lasted over a year and a half. In May 2022, Hannelore Hipp was flashed with her vehicle near Chur at 93 km/h, while only 80 km/h were allowed in this area. The traffic sins, as the fines are called in Switzerland, resulted in a ticket over 60 francs, which the responsible authorities sent to the vehicle owner. It was striking that no speed camera was settled, which dramatically heated up the legal dispute, such as the Schwäbische Zeitung reported.

Litigation and pressure on the wife

When Hannelore Hipp's authorities received no explanation regarding the driver, they were forced to initiate a procedure without carrying out a proper driver's determination. Roland Hipp, who took over the correspondence, refused to pay the fine or indicate the actual driver. The pressure on his wife rose when the procedural costs rapidly climbed and Hannelore was confronted with possible prison terms. According to chip.de you should ultimately make the choice between payment and one day in prison. This Situation turned out to be an enormous burden for the pensioner, who had to take calm tablets during the entire procedure on several occasions, so much burdened the uncertain location.

Finally, in December 2023, things took a turn: the Graubünden cantonal court said Hannelore Hipp because the authorities had not acted correctly in their procedure and did not provide a clear evidence of the driver. This decision turned out to be a turning point for the couple; The entire legal dispute had cost the canton of Graubünden a total of CHF 6,220. Roland Hipp, who had campaigned for the justice of his wife, was recognized for his fight and was hardly surprised that the costs were ultimately at the expense of the canton. "It cannot be that my wife is convicted if the picture can be clearly seen that she was never at the wheel," said Hipp after the judicial success.