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Finding a lawyer with subsidised legal aid

Concern about money need not stop you from asking for legal help in a Dutch criminal case. Ask about funding options.

Duration: 1:15

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.

Concern about money need not stop you from asking for legal help in a Dutch criminal case. Ask about funding options.

With subsidised legal aid, the government contributes towards lawyer fees. Your lawyer applies, and the Dutch Legal Aid Board assesses the request.

Pro deo means subsidised legal assistance. Pro bono is a lawyer's voluntary choice to work without charging, which is a different arrangement.

With ordinary subsidised legal aid, you may still owe a personal contribution. Ask whether any other costs also remain payable.

After arrest, special legal aid rules may apply. Ask what assistance they cover and how work at later stages will be funded.

Ask whether the lawyer takes subsidised cases. Prepare your letters and important dates, and agree who will submit the application.

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. Legal Aid Council: income, assets and personal contributionOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/eigen-bijdrage
  2. Legal Aid Board: when do you not pay a personal contribution?Opens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/hoeveel-betalen/geen-eigen-bijdrage/
  3. Legal Aid Board: request an additionOpens in a new tabrechtsbijstand.nlhttps://www.rechtsbijstand.nl/mediation-rechtsbijstand/gesubsidieerde-mediation-rechtsbijstand/aanvragen/
  4. Central government: your rights if you are arrestedOpens in a new tabrijksoverheid.nlhttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/recht-veiligheid-en-defensie/politie/vraag-en-antwoord/rechtspraak-en-geschiloplossing/wat-gebeurt-er-als-ik-word-verdacht-van-een-strafbaar-feit
  5. The Legal Desk: conditions and costs of an additionOpens in a new tabjuridischloket.nlhttps://www.juridischloket.nl/hoe-we-werken/toevoeging-advocaat/
  6. Dutch Bar Association: official lawyer finderOpens in a new tabzoekeenadvocaat.advocatenorde.nlhttps://zoekeenadvocaat.advocatenorde.nl/

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

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