Independent information Practical explanation Your rights come first
EN
NederlandsEnglishPolskiالعربيةTürkçeRomânăБългарскиDeutschShqipEspañol
Need help?
All explainer videos

Understanding youth probation conditions

Youth probation can involve guidance and supervision. Start with the actual decision and its legal basis. Advice, voluntary support and a compulsory condition are not the same thing.

Duration: 1:35

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.

Read the full article

Spoken transcript

Download the transcript

Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

Youth probation can involve guidance and supervision. Start with the actual decision and its legal basis. Advice, voluntary support and a compulsory condition are not the same thing.

Ask what each requirement means in daily life, when it starts and who must be contacted. A general conversation about helping you does not replace the precise wording of the decision.

Discuss school, travel, care and treatment arrangements with the supervising professional. Keep confirmed appointments together. Explain concrete obstacles rather than waiting until a requirement is missed.

Tell your lawyer and supervisor what is going wrong and propose a realistic solution. Ask who can decide about a change. A practical discussion does not automatically amend a court order.

Record dates, messages and any supporting documents. Distinguish an arrangement that has been discussed from one that has been formally approved. Ask for written clarification when something remains uncertain.

A pending request does not itself permit you to ignore an existing requirement. Ask your lawyer what to do while you wait and what consequences an alleged breach could have.

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

All explainer videos

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.

Watch the video
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.

Watch the video
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.

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. Criminal Code: descriptions of offences, age and conditionsOpens in a new tabwetten.overheid.nlhttps://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/
  3. Child Protection Council: research and advice in juvenile criminal casesOpens in a new tabkinderbescherming.nlhttps://www.kinderbescherming.nl/themas/j/jeugdstrafrecht
  4. Child Protection Council: Criminal Cases Protocol, March 2025Opens in a new tabkinderbescherming.nlhttps://www.kinderbescherming.nl/site/binaries/site-content/collections/documents/2025/06/18/protocol-strafzaken-2025/protocol-strafzaken-rvdk-maart-2025-1.pdf
  5. Child Protection Council: suspended sentence and supervision and guidance by youth probationOpens in a new tabkinderbescherming.nlhttps://www.kinderbescherming.nl/voor-kind-en-ouder/strafadvies/straffen

Sources accessed at .

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

The knowledge base

What are you looking for information about?

All topics

Start with your situation

What's going on right now?

Choose what suits you best. We point you to a clear starting point.

I have been arrested Your rights and the first steps.I have to go for a police interrogation Information about the interrogation and assistance.I have received a summons Understand the summons and the criminal hearing.I have received a criminal order The decision, consequences and opposition.My driving license has been confiscated Understand the criminal case, restitution and the CBR.I'm concerned about lawyer's fees View the route to subsidized legal aid.There has already been a ruling Read about appeal.I just want to get my bearings View all topics in the knowledge base.