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Suspected of a criminal offense What are your rights and what can you expect?Receiving a summons What does it contain and how do you prepare?Receive a penalty order Understand the decision and the possibility of objection.Driving license confiscated? Refund, work, the CBR and your next step.Pro deo find a lawyer How does subsidized legal aid work?
Explainer video

Your next step, briefly explained

Watch a short explanation and read more about the rights and choices relevant to your situation.

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1:07

What should you do after an arrest?

Arrested in the Netherlands? Ask what you are suspected of. Suspicion does not mean that guilt has been established.

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1:13

Received a summons: what happens next?

A Dutch criminal summons calls you to court. The Public Prosecution Service presents an accusation; the judge decides the case.

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1:15

Finding a lawyer with subsidised legal aid

Concern about money need not stop you from asking for legal help in a Dutch criminal case. Ask about funding options.

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1:18

Driving licence seized: what happens next?

Dutch police have taken your driving licence. The prosecutor then decides whether to retain it or return it provisionally; check the decision.

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Frequently asked questions

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What to do in the event of an arrest? Arrest & interrogationWhat is a subpoena? The criminal proceedingsDriving license revoked: what now? Driving license & trafficRights during a police interrogation Your rightsCriminal record: what are the consequences? After the verdictHow much does a criminal lawyer cost? Choosing a lawyer
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Am I eligible? Income, assets and the contents of your business.What do I have to pay myself? About additions and a possible personal contribution.I have been arrested. What now? Special rules for assigned legal assistance.How do I request help? A clear route in three steps.
Your rights, our knowledge

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at every stage of the criminal case.

Criminal law can feel complicated. We make it understandable, so that you can take your next step with more clarity.

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In practice

From arrest
to verdict

Explained step by step what you can expect in the criminal process.

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01

Arrest & interrogation

Know what your rights are, from the first moment.

02

Summons & hearing

Understand the appeal and the course of the trial.

03

Judgment & afterwards

Read about the verdict, appeal and your criminal record.

From first question to next step

Find an explanation that suits your situation.

The complete knowledge base

Legal assistance & costs

Choosing a lawyer, pro deo, price agreements and compensation.

Arrest & investigation

Your rights with the police, the interrogation and investigation of items or home.

Procedure & ruling

From punishment order and criminal hearing to pre-trial detention, appeal and execution.

Driving license & traffic

Seizure, restitution, work, CBR decisions and driving ban.

Criminal record & Certificate of Good Conduct

Registration, retention periods and the consequences for a Certificate of Good Conduct.

Criminal offenses & youth

Understand the suspicion, your position and the rules for young people.

A good start is knowing where you stand

You don't have to figure everything out yourself.

Start with information that suits your situation. A lawyer can then help you with advice about your specific case.

About Criminal Law in the Netherlands

An accessible starting point for anyone who comes into contact with criminal law. We refer to official sources and help you ask the right questions. This platform is not a law firm and provides general information.

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Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

This official information relates to the topics on this overview page. Each article lists the specific sources supporting its explanation.

  1. Judiciary: criminal proceedings for adultsOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/rechtsgebieden/strafrecht/procedures/strafrechtelijke-procedure
  2. Public Prosecution Service: rights upon arrestOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/v/verdachte/vraag-en-antwoord/verdachte/wat-zijn-mijn-rechten-bij-aanhouding
  3. Legal Aid Council: income, assets and personal contributionOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/eigen-bijdrage
  4. Dutch Bar Association: official lawyer finderOpens in a new tabzoekeenadvocaat.advocatenorde.nlhttps://zoekeenadvocaat.advocatenorde.nl/

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Last committed edit: October 18, 2026Version 7

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Driving license center Driving license & trafficPractical preparation Route guide and worksheet for your driving license caseArrest & investigation What to do in the event of an arrest?Arrest & investigation Your rights during a police interrogationProcedure & ruling Receiving a summons: what now?Criminal record & VOG A criminal record: what does that mean?Criminal offenses & youth Common criminal offensesLegal assistance & costs How much does a criminal lawyer cost?Procedure & ruling Appeal in a criminal caseProcedure & verdict From arrest to verdictLegal assistance & costs When are you entitled to a pro-deo lawyer?Legal assistance & costs Personal contribution in a criminal case: what do you pay yourself?Arrest & investigation What does a picket lawyer do after your arrest?Legal assistance & costs Change criminal lawyer without losing sight of your caseLegal assistance & costs Can you get back attorney's fees after an acquittal?Arrest & investigation A family member has been arrested: what can you do?Arrest & investigation Police search your home: what should you pay attention to?Arrest & investigation Witness or suspect: what position do you have with the police?Procedure & ruling Asking for a postponement of a criminal hearing: this is how you go about itProcedure & ruling View and prepare your criminal file with your lawyerProcedure & ruling Receiving a criminal order: what does the Public Prosecution Service's decision mean?Procedure & ruling Opposition to a criminal order: term, letter and follow-upProcedure & ruling Invited to a Public Prosecution hearing: prepare your decisionProcedure & ruling Cassation in a criminal case: what the Supreme Court does and does not assessProceedings & ruling Pre-trial detention: custody, detention and releaseProcedure & ruling Case dismissed: what a dismissal does and does not concludeProcedure & ruling Performing community service: agreements, problems and completionCriminal record & VOG A VOG with a criminal record: what Justis looks atCriminal record & VOG VOG refused: opinion, objection and appealDriving license & traffic Driving license recovered: what happens now?Driving license & traffic Driving license confiscated due to alcoholDriving license & traffic Driving license confiscated due to speedingDriving license & traffic Driving license confiscated after a drug testDriving license & traffic Reclaiming your driving license: request and complaintDriving license & traffic Driving suspension and CBR: two routes next to each otherCriminal offenses & youth Suspected assault: evidence, interrogation and consequencesCriminal offenses & youth Suspected of threats: words, context and evidenceCriminal offenses & youth Suspected of theft: from accusation to criminal caseCriminal offenses & youth Fire and fire excess: when does self-defense count?Criminal offenses & youth Suspected drug possession: policy, evidence and consequencesCriminal offenses & youth Suspected of fraud: understand the investigation and your positionCriminal offenses & youth Reclaiming seized items: the steps and considerationsCriminal offenses & youth Juvenile criminal law: a lawyer and overview for young people and parentsDriving license & traffic CBR course required: EMA, EMG, LEMA, LEMG or EMDDriving license & traffic CBR test on fitness to drive: preparation and resultsDriving license & traffic Objection to the CBR: term, file and urgent procedureDriving license & traffic Driving license declared invalid by the CBR: what now?Driving license & traffic Driving license has been recovered and needed for your workDriving license & traffic Driving suspension: start, end and surrendering driving licenseDriving license & traffic Foreign driving license seized in the NetherlandsDriving license & traffic Costs of a driving license lawyer and pro deoSubsidized legal aid Pro deo find a criminal lawyerAppropriate legal assistance Find a criminal lawyer
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I have been arrested Your rights and the first steps.I have to go for a police interrogation Information about the interrogation and assistance.I have received a summons Understand the summons and the criminal hearing.I have received a criminal order The decision, consequences and opposition.My driving license has been confiscated Understand the criminal case, restitution and the CBR.I'm concerned about lawyer's fees View the route to subsidized legal aid.There has already been a ruling Read about appeal.I just want to get my bearings View all topics in the knowledge base.