A braking device for an electric motor includes a rotor (10) and a stator, in particular for a direct current series wound motor and a brake element (20) which is movable between a braking position and an operating position; a brake shoe (30) that brakes the rotor (10) in the braking position is mounted on the brake element (20). The brake shoe (30) is mounted on the brake element (20) on the trailing end relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor (10).