A CJIB letter: fine, penalty order or judgment?

Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

You will receive a letter from the CJIB with an amount. First see what type of decision it is. A traffic fine, prosecutorial penalty order and execution of a judgment have different procedures.

Read the title, letter code and case number. Save all pages and the envelope. The word fine alone does not indicate which route applies to contesting the decision.

Check the remedy information in the letter. If in doubt, have it assessed which action is necessary, by which authority and within what period. Don't automatically use a standard objection for every fine.

A payment does not have the same meaning in every procedure. Discuss the consequences before paying if you wish to challenge the decision. Do not confuse a prosecutorial penalty order with a regular bill.

A telephone call to the CJIB or a request for payment in installments is not automatically a valid legal remedy. Such a request does not automatically extend an applicable period.

If in doubt, discuss the full letter with legal assistance. Record which process step is taken and keep the confirmation of receipt. Check payment and dispute as separate questions.

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