Being suspected of handling stolen goods

Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

You bought or received an item and are suspected of handling stolen goods. Buying second-hand is not itself enough to establish that offence. The prosecution must prove the applicable legal elements.

Different forms of the offence concern knowing the origin or having reason to suspect it. Ask your lawyer which form is alleged and which moment the prosecution relies on.

Save the original advert, correspondence, receipt and payment information. Explain the price, collection and seller details accurately. Do not create an old-looking document after the event.

A check of a serial number can be relevant, but no registration result is not an absolute guarantee of lawful origin. Discuss what you checked and what the circumstances otherwise showed.

An item being seized does not itself prove every element of the allegation. Keep the seizure receipt and ask about the procedure. Do not move or dispose of property to frustrate an investigation.

Bring the original records to your lawyer. Mark what is missing and what you genuinely cannot recall. Ask which evidence and requests are relevant to the allegation actually made.

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