When a German court deliberates, the Courts Constitution Act fixes the order of the vote. Professional judges vote by seniority in office, and the junior votes before the senior. Die Schöffen stimmen vor den Richtern. The lay judges vote before the professional judges. Zuletzt stimmt der Vorsitzende. The presiding judge votes last. The official information sheet for lay judges tells them that they hold judicial office with the same vote as the professional judges.