SwitzerlandRechte, Pflichten und Rechtsstaat 9 · Rights, duties and the rule of law
Switzerland is a state governed by the rule of law (Rechtsstaat). What does that mean?
In the exam (German)
Die Schweiz ist ein Rechtsstaat. Was bedeutet das?
- aThe government can overturn court judgments at any time.Die Regierung kann Gerichtsurteile jederzeit aufheben.
- bThe state and its authorities must also obey the law.Auch der Staat und seine Behörden müssen sich an das Recht halten.Correct answer
- cThe police decide themselves which laws apply.Die Polizei entscheidet selbst, welche Gesetze gelten.
- dOnly citizens have to obey the laws.Nur die Bürgerinnen und Bürger müssen die Gesetze befolgen.
Why?
The Federal Constitution says: the law is the basis and the limit of all state action. Authorities may only do what a law allows, and courts can review their decisions.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examRechte, Pflichten und Rechtsstaat 10
What are judges in Switzerland bound by when they reach their judgments?Correct answer:Only the Constitution and the laws
Woran sind Richterinnen und Richter in der Schweiz bei ihren Urteilen gebunden? — Nur an Verfassung und Gesetze
Rechte, Pflichten und Rechtsstaat 11
A person is accused of a criminal offence. What applies until a court has convicted them with a final judgment?Correct answer:They are considered innocent.
Eine Person wird einer Straftat beschuldigt. Was gilt, bis ein Gericht sie rechtskräftig verurteilt hat? — Sie gilt als unschuldig.
Rechte, Pflichten und Rechtsstaat 12
The police arrest a person. What is this person entitled to?Correct answer:They must be told the reasons and informed of their rights.
Die Polizei nimmt eine Person fest. Worauf hat diese Person ein Recht? — Sie muss über die Gründe und ihre Rechte informiert werden.
Rechte, Pflichten und Rechtsstaat 13
You receive a written decision (Entscheid) from an authority and you do not agree with it. What can you do?Correct answer:Lodge an objection or appeal within the deadline
Sie erhalten einen schriftlichen Entscheid einer Behörde und sind damit nicht einverstanden. Was können Sie tun? — Innerhalb der Frist Einsprache oder Beschwerde erheben
Source
Our own practice questions on the facts of the Federal Constitution and the official information of the Confederation and the cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Bern. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no wording from the cantonal question catalogues has been reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI; in the test the questions are in German. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
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