I (28F) am a foreigner living in Hamburg, Germany with a valid Aufenhaltstitel. I came here in 2020 December to work. But I suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (diagnosed 5 years ago) and Psychosis (diagnosed yesterday). I lost my job in Feb this year due to psychotic episodes. Since yesterday, I started taking anti-psychotic medicines with my new psychiatrist.
Last week, while I had the feeling of dreaming and dissociating, I picked up groceries at EDEKA Harburg and held them in my arms and I had put a telephone cable and toothpaste in my inside pocket. This is when everything went wrong. I paid for the food but totally forgot the cable and the toothpaste. A total value of less than €20.
I was accused of theft and was told to pay a €75 fine, but I didn't have enough cash with me. I explained my illnesses to the first security guard. I will call him A. He didn't believe me. Security guard A showed me the video recordings of me and he made copies of my residence permit. I bursted out in tears because I realised this was really happening and he told me that his mother died last year when I said I have no family at all and I’m struggling so much financially, then he said quite clearly that I could come to the information desk next week to speak to the management and pay the €75. I went back the next morning because I was way too scared. The lady at the information desk said that there was no manager and that he would come at 15:00. When I came back at 15:00 and wanted to speak to the manager showing my letter of diagnosis and hospital records, the different security guard B threw me out. He said he would call the police if I didn't leave and things would get worse, so I left. He said he would send me a letter to pay the €75 by bank transfer.
Today I got a letter from the police saying that I had violated the house ban twice and had been charged with theft. I believe B reported me to police. The letter says that I have to report back in writing by 06/05/2024. I want to kill myself so badly right now. I've never stolen anything in my life and I'm scared I'll be deported/rejected to extend my residence permit and get a job.
I feel like I've been set up by EDEKA security. Losing all hopes… Please help me with what I should do… I emailed my psychiatrist with the police letter but I’m so afraid and suicidal.
by Imaginary_Belt3031
7 comments
r/legaladvicegerman is the better sub to ask
You have time before the response date. Use this time to get stable on your meds, then, next week, write a response (with or without help of a lawyer/legal advice).
Most likely you were not set up, but a combination of language barrier + psychosis created a misunderstanding about the situation.
Don’t go back to this EDEKA! You have been denied entry because of what happened and entering again will cause more problems.
It might feel very serious right now, but it’s only an accusation and you have the right to defend yourself. You might just want to wait to be in a different mindset before you do.
You need to talk to a lawyer. The letter states that you have the opportunity to make a written statement in your defence, and the right to consult a lawyer of your choice. Don’t make any statement without first talking to a lawyer, but this is basically your chance to explain what happened from your perspective.
If you are having suicidal thoughts please seek emergency treatment. All psych wards also have a social worker that can help you figuring things out and set up further legal, social and medical support.
If you only started meds yesterday you are super vulnerable. This is not the end of the world. One step at a time. Get emergency treatment for your health, figure everything else out afterwards.
Well first off, stealing small stuff like that will usually not be punished with huge fines. Depending on your location and the exact worth of the item it might even be counted as a theft of minor worth (§ 248 a Strafgesetzbuch)
And yes, if you got a ban, entering the store counts as trespassing, though ultimately the decision of that lies with a judge.
Just get a lawyer and they can help you sort out it all out. Also I cant really comment on how this may impact residence permit extensions, it may not
I am 1000% certain that this could be resolved amicably without lasting effect IF you clam down first and take your time, and contact a lawyer (or better ask in legal advice Germany subreddit).
This might look like a big deal but it’s not, believe me.
Have you visited SPDI?