Walter Roemer

Walter Roemer was a German jurist who played significant roles in both Nazi Germany and post-war West Germany. His career spanned two contrasting periods of German history, highlighting the complex issue of continuity in the German legal system after World War II.

Nazi era

During the Third Reich Roemer held the position of First Public Prosecutor at the Munich I State Court. In this role, he was involved in the executions of resistance fighters at Stadelheim prison. One of the most notable cases he supervised was the execution of Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose resistance group.

Post-War career

After the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, Roemer's career took a significant turn:

He was appointed as an undersecretary in the newly formed Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ).

Roemer became the director responsible for Public Law in the BMJ, a department that dealt with basic rights and human rights.

Controversy and legacy

Roemer's post-war appointment to a high-ranking position in the BMJ exemplifies a broader trend in post-war West Germany:

The BMJ, until the 1970s, was largely staffed by former members of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). This staffing practice was justified by citing the "necessary legal experience" of these individuals The presence of former Nazi jurists in key positions had significant implications for West German law and justice, including:

• influencing case law and legislation
• shaping the appointment process for judges and prosecutors
• ensuring that many Nazi criminals escaped prosecution
• creating obstacles for surviving victims of Nazi jurisprudence seeking justice

Roemer's case is part of a larger narrative about the lack of a clean break in the German justice system after 1945. The continuity of personnel from the Nazi era to the post-war period has been a subject of historical research and debate, as exemplified by "The Rosenburg Files," a comprehensive study of the Nazi past of the Federal Ministry of Justice.