Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

The public prosecutor asks the court to impose a particular sentence. That request is the prosecution's position. It does not itself decide guilt or establish the sentence you will receive.

Check any immediate and suspended parts, conditions, measures and other requested decisions. A single number of months or hours may not show the full consequences being proposed.

Discuss the evidence, seriousness of the allegation and personal circumstances mentioned by the prosecutor. Your lawyer can assess where the reasoning is disputed or needs additional context.

Keep documents about work, care or treatment that genuinely support your position. Explain what they show and what they do not show. General promises may not answer the prosecutor's reasoning.

Do not treat the requested sentence as a guaranteed outcome. The court assesses the case independently within the applicable law. Ask your lawyer how the available outcomes differ.

After judgment, compare what was requested with what the court actually decided. Discuss the reasons, any conditions and possible further steps promptly. The prosecutor's request is not a substitute for the judgment.

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