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You missed your criminal hearing

You hear that you have been convicted in absentia. Immediately ask your lawyer to review the judgment and summons information. Do not assume that you will automatically receive a new full appeal period.

Duration: 1:32

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

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

You hear that you have been convicted in absentia. Immediately ask your lawyer to review the judgment and summons information. Do not assume that you will automatically receive a new full appeal period.

Save the summons and all notices regarding the hearing date. Discuss how you were called and when you knew the date. These facts may be important for the legal remedy.

Record when and how you learned about the judgment. Keep letters, envelopes and messages. Knowing the hearing date and knowing the final judgment are different questions.

Seek legal help too if any pieces are still missing. Have your lawyer immediately check which option and term apply. A request for information or complaint is not automatically a valid appeal.

Discuss why you were not at the hearing and which documents support this. A reason for absence does not automatically entitle you to new hearing. The concrete situation must be assessed.

Agree who will file a remedy and how the filing will be confirmed. Keep proof of this. Waiting for an answer to a single question may cause an applicable deadline to expire.

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

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What should you do after an arrest?

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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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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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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.

  2. Rechtspraak: appeal in criminal cases, filing and withdrawingOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/hoger-beroep/strafzaak
  3. Rechtspraak: adult criminal proceedingsOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/rechtsgebieden/strafrecht/procedures/strafrechtelijke-procedure

Sources accessed at .

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

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