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Understanding a criminal judgment

You have received a criminal judgment. Have your lawyer review the whole document and identify the operative part, where the court records its decisions. One isolated passage can be misleading.

Duration: 1:40

Further reading and sources

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.

You have received a criminal judgment. Have your lawyer review the whole document and identify the operative part, where the court records its decisions. One isolated passage can be misleading.

A judgment may describe arguments made by the prosecutor and the defence. Those passages are not automatically the judge's findings. Check who is speaking and where the court itself decides.

Discuss which parts of the accusation have been proven and which have not. The finding of proof and the legal assessment are separate steps. Don't just use the original accusation as a summary.

Read which punishment or measure applies and which conditions are mentioned. Also ask about compensation and other decisions. A conditional component is not the same as a sentence to be served immediately.

Acquittal and a finding that the proven facts do not lead to criminal liability are different legal outcomes. Ask your lawyer to explain the precise decision and its possible consequences.

Discuss immediately whether you want to use a legal remedy and what deadline applies. A request for an explanation does not automatically extend that period. Determine who monitors a necessary process step.

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

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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. Criminal Code: descriptions of offences, age and conditionsOpens in a new tabwetten.overheid.nlhttps://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/
  3. Rechtspraak: adult criminal proceedingsOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-en-contact/rechtsgebieden/strafrecht/procedures/strafrechtelijke-procedure
  4. Rechtspraak: appeal in criminal cases, filing and withdrawingOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/hoger-beroep/strafzaak
  5. CJIB: types of fines, letter codes and associated remediesOpens in a new tabcjib.nlhttps://www.cjib.nl/ik-ben-het-niet-eens-met-mijn-boete
  6. Rechtspraak: compensation as a victim and joinder as an injured partyOpens in a new tabrechtspraak.nlhttps://www.rechtspraak.nl/naar-de-rechter/rol-in-rechtszaak/slachtoffer/schadevergoeding-slachtoffer

Sources accessed at .

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

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