Every five years, the Youth Welfare Committee draws up a list of nominees from which youth lay judges are elected at the district court.

Youth lay judges are honorary judges in the juvenile justice system. As representatives of the population, they bring their life experience, everyday knowledge, and commitment to the main hearings.

In addition to certain formal requirements—German citizenship, residence in the relevant municipality for at least one year, and age between 25 and 69—youth lay judges should have educational skills and experience in dealing with young people. It is sufficient to be able to refer to one's own experience of raising children or to have had voluntary or professional contact with young people.

Lay judges are appointed for criminal jurisdiction.

We no longer require applications for the nomination list for the 2024 to 2028 term of office.