Explainer video: Criminal records, access and conduct certificates | Criminal Law in the Netherlands

Duration: 1:19

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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Spoken transcript

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

A Dutch criminal record contains information about criminal cases. Check which case and exactly which decision have been recorded before drawing conclusions.

A dismissal or acquittal may also be recorded. An entry therefore does not automatically mean that guilt has been established in that case.

You can request a personal overview from the Dutch judicial information service, Justid. Check the decision and status shown for each case.

Retention periods depend, among other things, on the type of offence. Have your own entry assessed instead of assuming a general expiry date.

Justis assesses a Dutch certificate of conduct for its specific purpose. A recorded case does not automatically result in refusal of that certificate.

The screening period for a conduct certificate differs from the retention period for records. Reaching that screening limit does not automatically delete the information.

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

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

Justid: criminal record and judicial documentationOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem
Justid: frequently asked questionsOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/veelgestelde-vragen
Justid: minor traffic violationsOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/lichte-verkeersovertredingen-de-mulder-gedraging
OM: resistance to a criminal orderOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafbeschikking/verzet
Justid: retention periodsOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/hoelang-blijft-een-strafblad-bewaard
Justis: assessment and decision VOGOpens in a new tabjustis.nlhttps://www.justis.nl/producten/verklaring-omtrent-het-gedrag/beoordeling-en-besluit-vog
Justis: lookback periodsOpens in a new tabjustis.nlhttps://www.justis.nl/producten/verklaring-omtrent-het-gedrag/beoordeling-en-besluit-vog/terugkijktermijnen
Justid: request your own dataOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/verstrekken-overzicht-justitiele-documentatie
Justid: change and special removal requestsOpens in a new tabjustid.nlhttps://www.justid.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafblad-en-het-justitieel-documentatie-systeem/wijziging-strafblad