Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

You receive a phone call about a criminal case. Write down the name, police unit, case number and reason for the contact. Ask in what role you are being approached.

Are you unsure whether the caller is really from the police? Check the contact via official information you have searched for yourself. A visible telephone number in itself is not a certainty.

Do not provide access codes, bank details or money to resolve an alleged criminal case by telephone. Discuss suspicious requests through a controlled contact channel.

An informal telephone conversation can also contain questions about a suspicion. As a suspect you have the right to remain silent. Discuss with your lawyer how to respond to such questions.

Is it an invitation for interrogation? Ask for the exact appointment and your legal position. Make a note of the time, location and contact person and discuss in advance what legal assistance is required.

After the conversation, write down what was actually said and agreed. Keep quotes, your own recollections and assumptions apart. Share the note with your attorney.

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