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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.

Duration: 1:13

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 summons calls you to court. The Public Prosecution Service presents an accusation; the judge decides the case.

Check the case number, hearing date and location. Keep the summons, and mark any words in the accusation that you do not understand.

The summons does not contain the entire case file. Discuss access to the documents and note what information is still missing.

Have someone check whether you must appear personally, and when an authorised lawyer may defend you without your attendance.

Unable to attend? Make contact promptly. The judge decides whether to postpone; check whether your request has actually been granted.

Bring your summons and identity document. Allow time for entry checks, and report any need for language support or other arrangements beforehand.

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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1:15

How does a Dutch criminal case proceed?

A Dutch criminal case does not always follow the same route. Identify the decision you have received and the appropriate response.

Watch the video
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. Judiciary: criminal procedure and preparationOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/rechtsgebieden/strafrecht/procedures/strafrechtelijke-procedure
  2. Public Prosecution Service: information on the back of the summonsOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/v/verdachte/informatie-achterkant-dagvaarding
  3. Public Prosecution Service: how a criminal case gets to courtOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/organisatie/organisatie-van-het-om/het-werk-van-het-om/strafzaak
  4. National government: introduction of mandatory appearance as of July 1, 2024Opens in a new tabrijksoverheid.nlhttps://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/06/24/nieuwe-wetten-justitie-en-veiligheid-per-1-juli-2024
  5. Council for the Judiciary: explanation of Article 258a and obligation to appear, part 14Opens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/binaries/content/assets/rvdr/wa/2024/rvdr-wa-2024-advies-eerste-aanvullingswet-sv.pdf
  6. Judiciary: costs of criminal proceedingsOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/rechtsgebieden/strafrecht/procedures/kosten-strafrechtelijke-procedure
  7. Judiciary: house rules per courthouseOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/organisatie/huisregels-gerechtsgebouwen
  8. Judiciary: visitor information and preparation of the Gelderland courtOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/SiteCollectionDocuments/Bezoekersinformatie-RB-Gelderland.pdf
  9. Public Prosecution Service: opposition to a criminal orderOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/s/strafbeschikking/verzet

Consultation date not recorded.

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

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