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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.

Duration: 1:07

Further reading and sources

This video summarizes the main points. The full article provides more detail, exceptions and official sources. The information concerns adult suspects and does not replace advice about your case.

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

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

You do not have to answer questions about the suspected offence. Establishing your identity is a separate matter.

You have the right to speak privately with a lawyer before the first interview and to receive assistance during questioning.

Tell the police if you do not understand something, need medication or require medical care. Explain your needs clearly.

Continued detention needs its own legal basis. Ask your lawyer to check the current stage and the decision authorising it.

Release does not automatically close the case. Keep your documents and check official messages about what happens next.

Read the full explanation on the Criminal Law in the Netherlands website.

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1:13

Your rights during police questioning

Invited for police questioning in the Netherlands? Check your role. This explanation concerns questioning as a suspect, rather than as a witness.

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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

How does a Dutch criminal case proceed?

A Dutch criminal case does not always follow the same route. Identify the decision you have received and the appropriate response.

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Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

Here you can find the sources for this page. Open the original publication for the full explanation, conditions and exceptions.

  1. Police: the difference between stopping and stoppingOpens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/informatie/wat-is-het-verschil-tussen-aanhouden-en-staandehouden.html
  2. Police: what happens after an arrest?Opens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/informatie/ik-word-aangehouden-door-de-politie.-en-nu.html
  3. 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
  4. Police: stop for investigationOpens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/informatie/hoe-lang-mag-de-politie-mij-op-het-politiebureau-houden.html
  5. Public Prosecution Service: the phases of pre-trial detentionOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/v/verdachte/schema-voorlopige-hechtenis
  6. Judiciary: pre-trial detentionOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/voorlopige-hechtenis
  7. Judiciary: lifting and suspension of pre-trial detentionOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/voorlopige-hechtenis/procedure-opheffing-of-schorsing-voorlopige-hechtenis
  8. Legal Aid Council: situations without a personal contributionOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/geen-eigen-bijdrage/
  9. Judiciary: the position of a suspect and releaseOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/rol-in-rechtszaak/u-wordt-verdacht-van-een-strafbaar-feit/verdachte-in-een-strafzaak
  10. Judicial Information Service: registration of dismissal and acquittalOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/sepot-strafbeschikking-en-vrijspraak

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A source reference does not constitute a legal review of this page.

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