The discontinuation of criminal proceedings based on the principle of opportunity is currently shaping the landscape of state prosecution activities in many areas. Approximately 49% of investigations and main proceedings related to offenses are discontinued citing sections 153 et seq. of the German Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO). This occurs despite Section 152, Paragraph 2 of the German Code of Criminal Procedure declaring legality as the standard principle of criminal procedural law, in contrast to the principle of opportunity. The author criticizes the nearly inflationary application of these flexible, largely utility-based and expediency-driven instruments of action, which, while addressing the understandable desire of legal practice for economically efficient prosecution, are problematic in light of significant concerns.