High school student Fabian König is kicked out of school and starts a gang that specializes in theft. He falls in love with the orphan girl Ulla, but she rejects him when she finds out how he spends his time. When the pimp Horst tries to rape Ulla, she is rescued by Fabian. Shortly afterwards, Horst's body is found and Fabian is convicted of the murder due to the false testimony of a witness. In prison, he comes to trust the prison doctor Dr. Knittel, who believes him and is able to unmask the real culprit.

Peter van Eyck
as Gefängnisarzt Dr. Knittel

Christian Wolff
as Fabian König

Heidi Brühl
as Ulla Anders

Corny Collins
as Viola von Eikelberg

Hans Nielsen
as Landgerichtsdirektor Dr. Senftenberg

Alice Treff
as Frau König

Ingrid van Bergen
as Hausmädchen

Richard Münch
as Herr König, Oberst a. D.

Bum Krüger
as Gerichtsdiener

Joseph Offenbach
as Gerichtsdiener