VIII. soud SS a policie v Praze
The 8th SS and police court in Prague

Summary/Abstract: The 8th SS and police court in Prague (SS- u. Polizeigericht VIII, Prag) became part of the independent SS and police court system in 1940. Its powers included judging crimes committed by officers of the Waffen-SS, the security (Sipo) and regular (Orpo) police, the security services (SD) and eventually a whole range of auxiliary police units (Luftschutzpolizei, Feuerschutzpolizei, Technische Nothilfe etc.) on the territory of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. At the close of WWII up to 280,000 people were subject to it. At least four senior judges, resp. court chiefs, headed the court and many Czech Germans who had built up their careers during the First Republic passed through it. The court dealt with a broad range of crimes – from desertion to property, disciplinary and sexual offences to traffic violations – and subsequently handed down punishments such as jail terms, the loss of civil liberties and even the death penalty. The number of sentences imposed undermines the established thesis of the SS being an elite force, with many repeat offenders being found in its ranks. However, the court played only a marginal role in the persecution of Czechs, at least in comparison with other elements of the Nazi judiciary.

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