By Markus Arndt
Just let it run. This cannot be a criminal offense. A Lübeck district judge decided. And thus a judgment with impact is made.
That’s what it’s about: On a warm July summer evening last year, a small group of friends met on the beach in Travemünde, a famous seaside resort that is part of Lübeck. There was laughter and drinking until after midnight.
Then – it was exactly 12:36 a.m. according to a report from the public order office – a young man felt the need. He walked 20 meters away and relieved himself into the Baltic Sea.
Apparently three (!) traffic ticket clerks in the city were just waiting for this.
They waited until the zipper on the fly was pulled up. Then: flashlights on! Alleged wild pee caught! Penalty fine for 60 euros issued. “Annoyance to the general public” through “grossly improper conduct” according to Section 118 of the Administrative Offenses Act.
The adolescent saw things differently. That’s why we went to the district court.
There they met a wise judge. Who thought very intensively about public urination.
He ruled: acquittal!
With a remarkable reason:
► The public’s sense of shame was not violated. It was dark.
► Social urination among men is not uncommon (pee gutters!).
► Hikers, hunters and farmers would also have to pee in the open air.
► The Baltic Sea was just close. “That’s how it is here on the coast.”
► And in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea, odor nuisance is also ruled out (dilution!).
Finally, the judge said: “Under the vastness of the heavens, people have no less rights than the deer in the forest, the hare in the field or the seal in the sea of the Baltic Sea.”
Who would object to that?