I start from the principle that the conception of minor guilt in the sense of article 153, Code of Penal Procedure is naturally not the same in cases which are suitable for the People’s Court, as in those cases in which the official judge has to decide. Even if this conception is relative and depends on the nature of the offense, a legal extension of article 153, Code of Penal Procedure should surely be made in order to presume insignificance of guilt for an act which can be characterized as a crime, as, e.g., crimes in the nature of high treason in the territory of Bohemia and Moravia.

[Signed] Thierack

LETTER FROM MEISSNER[200] TO DEFENDANT SCHLEGELBERGER, 22 APRIL 1941, CONCERNING TRANSFER OF CONVICTED PRISONERS TO THE GESTAPO

The Minister of State

and Chief of the Presidential

Chancellery of the Fuehrer

and Reich Chancellor

RP 83/41 Secret