History of Dorsten - Station 35: Justice at the District Court of Dorsten Translator: Lyn

The History Station "History of Dorsten - Station: Justice" ( „Dorstener Geschichte - Station: Justiz") is located to the right of the building of the District Court "Amtsgericht Dorsten" (viewing from the road address "Alter Postweg"). The present-day building of the District Court "Amtsgericht Dorsten" as well as the previous court building at the street address "Lippestraße" are depicted on the plaque. The judiciary history of Dorsten is also illustrated by a wood-carving entitled "Wasserprobe" ("Water Test") from the 16th century and the "Wallmann Urteil" (" Wallmann Judgement") from the year 1699. The events of the judicial history in Dorsten are linked with global historical events via a time-line.



A fire in the City of Lübeck causes huge damage.

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1251

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The Archbishop of Cologne, Konrad von Hochstaden, in his role as provincial Lord of the town of Dorsten introduces its independent jurisdiction by the presentaion of the town charter.

1432

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All of the laws and statues of the town are collected from that year onwards in the "Liber Statutorum oppidi dursten", which describes the rights and duties of the citizens and the municipal authorities.

1577

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The Elector, Salentin, re-regulates the confusing district law. Six different judiciaries have existed up until then. The new regulation are valid until 1803.

The Netherlands declare a Republic.

Wasserprobe (Water Test), a wood-engraving from the 16th Century.

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1588

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The widow of the Mayor, Burich, who is accused of being a witch, has to undergo a "Water Test" "Wasserprobe" and dies during the following torture.

The Wahmann Judgement "Wahmann-Urteil", 1699

1699

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The "Cannibal" ("Menschenfresser"), Franz Wahmann is sentenced to death and hung following the Judicial Rulings of Karl V entitled "Hochnothpeinlichen Hals- und Gerichtsordnung"

1809

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A peace tribunal is created, following the "Napoleon Code" ("Code Napoleon").

1815

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As a consequence of the takeover by Prussia, the town receives a "Royal Prussian District and Town Court" ("Königlich-Preußisches Land- und Stadtgericht").

The highest Imperial Court (

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1879

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The district court, that was moved from Recklinghausen to Dorsten in 1851, is continued as the "Royal Prussian District Court" ("Königlich-Presußisches Amtsgericht"). The court district incorporates the town of Dorsten, the country communities of Altendorf-Ulfkotte, Altschermbeck, Erle, Hervest, Holsterhausen, Kirchhellen, Lembeck, Marl, Polsum, Rhade and Wulfen.

Court Building at the street address of Lippestraße

1929

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The district court, that was previously situated at the street address of Lippestraße and on the market place "Markt", moves into the new building at the street address of "Alter Postweg". The court building has not altered much since then.

1952

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The neighbouring town of Marl gets its own district court, so that the town leaves the region of the district court of Dorsten, as do the districts of Altschermbeck, Erle and Kirchhellen in 1978.

Civil War (Translator's addition: The Northern Ireland Conflict / The Troubles) breaks out in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants

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1969

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The prison within the jury court building ("Schöffengericht"), which was located from 1862 until 1945 at the address "am Ostwall" is closed in this year.

2010

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The district court region of Dorsten is the same as the town district.

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Daten und Fakten

Eröffnung - 15th September 20210

Adresse - The district court ("Amtsgericht") at the street address of "Alter Postweg".

Geodaten - 51°39'23.9 6°57'38.2



Celebratory Presentation on 15th September 2010

The History Station "The History of Dorsten - Station: Justice" ("Dorstener Geschichte - Station: Justiz") is officially presented by the Mayor of Dorsten, Mr Lambert Lütkenhorst on 15.09.20210 during a ceremony in the presence of the president of the district court of Essen "Präsidentin des Landgerichts Essen", Dr Monika Anders and the director of the district court of Dorsten "Direktor des Amtsgerichts Dorsten", Dr. Hans-Jürgen Fischedick.

The celebratory Unveiling by Dr Monika Anders with the help of Lambert Lütkenhorst.

Amongst those invited to the event were representatives of the town of Dorstne, the Lions Clubs (sic) Dorsten-Hanse and the Petrinum Grammar School of Dorsten, as well as sponsors.

Der Bürgermeister hielt eine Festrede.

Anschließend lud das Amtsgericht zu einem Empfang ein.

Ceremony in the district court "Amtsgericht"

The hosts fom the district council allowed photos of themselves to be taken at the finish.

The judicial representatives