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Appealing a criminal judgment

In the Netherlands, an appeal may bring your case before the Court of Appeal. First check exactly which decision you received.

Duration: 1:12

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.

In the Netherlands, an appeal may bring your case before the Court of Appeal. First check exactly which decision you received.

Ask the court registry or your lawyer to check the deadline immediately. When it begins depends on your particular situation.

Follow the formal procedure at the court that issued the judgment. Agree who will act, and keep confirmation of filing.

Describe objections to the evidence, legal assessment or sentence. An objections form may help explain them, but does not itself lodge an appeal.

Discuss your aim and the risks with your lawyer. The prosecution may also appeal, and a more favourable outcome is not guaranteed.

Prepare for the appeal hearing. Discuss whether you should attend, which documents matter and whether any requests should be made.

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

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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

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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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. Judiciary: appeal in a criminal caseOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/hoger-beroep/strafzaak
  2. National government: appeal and cassation as suspectOpens in a new tabrijksoverheid.nlhttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/recht-veiligheid-en-defensie/rechtspraak-en-geschiloplossing/vraag-en-antwoord/rechtspraak-en-geschiloplossing/kan-ik-als-verdachte-in-een-strafzaak-in-hoger-beroep-tegen-de-uitspraak-van-de-rechter
  3. Judiciary: official grievance form for appealOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/binaries/_rts_1768824517992/content/assets/rvdr/com/rvdr-com-grievenformulier-hoger-beroep.pdf
  4. Amsterdam Judiciary: current information about the central barOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/organisatie/rechtbanken/rechtbank-amsterdam/bezoekinformatie/centrale-balie
  5. Judiciary: appeal and pre-trial detentionOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/onderwerpen/voorlopige-hechtenis
  6. Judiciary: costs of appeal in a criminal caseOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/hoger-beroep/strafzaak/kosten-hoger-beroep-strafzaak
  7. Public Prosecution Service: opposition to a criminal orderOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafbeschikking/verzet
  8. Amsterdam Court of Appeal: ruling with higher sentence after appeal, April 28, 2026Opens in a new tabuitspraken.rechtspraak.nlhttps://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI%3ANL%3AGHAMS%3A2026%3A1179

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

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