[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Kempi

No, it's more than that. The arrest is often at the beginning of or during investigations and carried out by the police. The indictement comes at the end of the investigations if and when the public prosecutor after reviewing all evidence discovered during investigations decides that he thinks he has a case - meaning the trial will most likely lead to finding the defendant guilty. Please note that the final - and only relevant - judgement will be issued by the court.

In Germany we have a intermediary step before the trial is actually held during which the court decides whether it will admit the indictement. I have not found any information whether this has already been decided or not. If not, there might still be some legal juggling between the public prosecutor and Ecclestone's attorney(s) before the trial will actually start - if at all. A deal could also be struck.

Also, German courts do not have juries. It's sitting judges only, with the help of layman judges depending on the severity of the case.

Much more interesting are the implications under compliance for the formula 1 holding. Usually at this point executives at least take a sabbatical from their positions.

***edit***
I just read in the Frankfurter Allgemeine - one of the major and most reliable newspapers in Germany - that the indictment has only been served and not admitted yet. So the lawyers will get their first shot now.

Thanks for that explanation. It puts it in context with the German legal system.