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An interpreter during police questioning

Are you being interrogated as a suspect and do you not understand Dutch sufficiently? Report this immediately. Tell us which language and dialect you understand sufficiently.

Duration: 1:36

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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.

Are you being interrogated as a suspect and do you not understand Dutch sufficiently? Report this immediately. Tell us which language and dialect you understand sufficiently.

Being able to have an everyday conversation does not mean that you understand legal questions. Identify words, questions or explanations that you cannot follow. Don't pretend you understand.

Discuss with your lawyer what interpreting assistance is required. Also indicate when you do not understand the interpreter well or when you think a translation is incomplete.

The interpreter helps with communication. The lawyer will discuss your rights and the choice whether to give a statement or remain silent. Do not let an interpreter take over that legal decision.

Ask how your answers are recorded. Have ambiguities and translation issues discussed before confirming a statement. Oral interpretation does not mean that every document is translated completely into writing.

Say during the conversation if you don't understand something. If necessary, ask your lawyer for a break for consultation. Understanding what is being asked comes before a substantive answer.

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

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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?

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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. OM: designation of assistance from interpreters and translators (2013A019), parts 3 and 4Opens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/b/beleidsregels/aanwijzingen/algemeen/aanwijzing-bijstand-van-tolken-en-vertalers-bij-de-opsporing-en-vervolging
  5. Police: the task of a lawyer before and during the interrogationOpens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/informatie/wat-is-de-taak-van-de-advocaat-van-de-verdachte.html
  6. Police: signing an official report as a suspectOpens in a new tabpolitie.nlhttps://www.politie.nl/informatie/moet-u-een-proces-verbaal-ondertekenen.html

Sources accessed at .

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

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