Principal penal sanctions in German Democratic Republic are penalties with and without deprivation of liberty, supplementary penalties (e.g., fines) and reformatory measures meted out by social courts, which are designed to further community participation in the justice system. The social courts deal with minor offenses; justice is administered by volunteers assisted by trade unions and local government authorities. The usual penalties are fines (up to 150 marks) and an obligation to repair damages. These social courts play an important role since one third of all criminal cases is tried there. Penal measures without deprivation of liberty are becomng more and more significant in cases when the offenses are minor and the offenders have an otherwise good personal record. Probation of 1 to 3 years constitutes one third of these penalties. During this period the offender has to fulfill certain obligations. Work teams educate the offenders and help them accept their responsibility toward society. When the penalty involves deprivation of liberty, humane treatment of the offenders and their resocialization are emphasized. References are included.