Looking for ?

Arrested/Detained by Police?

If you’re still at large, you can contact a criminal defense lawyer yourself as a suspect. After being arrested by the police, you have the immediate right to consult with a lawyer, but it’s often no longer possible to contact a criminal defense lawyer yourself when you’ve been arrested by the police. In that case, you can still indicate to the police which criminal defense lawyer you’d like to be assisted by. The police will then call them for you. However, if you don’t have a criminal defense lawyer’s name ready, you’ll be assigned a duty lawyer. The lawyer you get then is often less expert in criminal law. You are free to change lawyers at any time you wish.

In many cases, an arrest comes unexpectedly, and a suspect hasn’t prepared for it. In the cell, they can no longer search for a lawyer.

As a family member of someone arrested by the police, you can always contact one of our criminal defense lawyers. This is often appreciated by the suspect. We then act as the preferred lawyer and immediately visit your loved one at the police station. In principle, there are no costs involved. An additional advantage is that we can keep you informed about the situation surrounding your family member. Unlike many other lawyers, we consider it self-evident to inform you about this.

Because we also act as criminal defense lawyers throughout the Netherlands, a phone call is enough to set the defense in motion.

Choosing your Own Criminal Defense Lawyer Has its Advantages

One usually knows who they’re dealing with and knows that they are in trusted hands. This is certainly a comforting feeling in criminal cases. It’s advisable to consult with an expert criminal defense lawyer before being interrogated by the police. Whether you’re guilty or innocent is irrelevant. A criminal defense lawyer can prepare you for your police interrogation and explain what you need to keep in mind. Of course, a good criminal defense lawyer will also inform you of your rights, including the right to remain silent.

After your arrest, you have a lot on your mind and shouldn’t have to worry about your legal representation. You should feel safe, that your interests are being represented by a criminal defense lawyer who gives you the right advice and whom you trust. For a good defense, you need to form a team with your lawyer. For this, it’s necessary that you’re on the same page.

Right to Remain Silent

Many people want to tell the police everything. They want to answer the questions the police ask. Often because they think they have nothing to hide. But also because they find it impolite not to answer.

To these people, we say that they must realize they are in the role of a suspect. The police have a suspicion, justified or not. As a suspect, you have the right to remain silent. That right is explicitly included in the law.

Everything you say to the police can be used against you. Also what you say outside the interrogation. And what you have said can be difficult to undo. For this reason, we advise you in advance in all cases to exercise your right to remain silent until you choose a different course of action in consultation with your criminal defense lawyer.

Invitation to Report to the Police Station

Invitation for Police Interrogation

The importance of good legal representation already manifests itself in the initial phase of a criminal process, namely during the police interrogation. It is here that a suspect finds themselves in a vulnerable situation. As a suspect, you are often not fully aware of the suspicion. You don’t yet have access to any evidence the police might have against you. It’s not immediately clear what situation you’ve ended up in. This means you can’t assess the consequences of a statement.

Therefore, always remain silent until you have consulted a lawyer.

A lawyer can then advise you. They advise, among other things, on the procedural stance to take during the interrogation. Are you going to remain silent or are you going to make a statement? And if you’re going to make a statement, what are you going to say? You’re with the police because they think you’ve done something. Even if you’re innocent, you can make yourself look even more suspicious by giving wrong answers, for example because you make a mistake. In short, anything you say can be used against you and you can’t always assess what is most sensible to do. The first interrogation is of great importance, as the interrogation can be decisive for the continuation of the criminal process. And with that, also the outcome of the criminal case.

So always consult a criminal law attorney before the first police interrogation.

Lawyer During Police Interrogation

During the police interrogation, you may be assisted by a lawyer. During the interrogation, the lawyer monitors whether your interrogation is conducted fairly. They can watch over how you are treated as a suspect. A lawyer can and may therefore participate in the police interrogation. For example, they may intervene when the police exert undue pressure. They are also allowed to make comments and ask questions when they deem it in your interest. In addition, they may advise you on, for example, giving permission, or on whether or not to answer a question. They can also ask for a “time out” from the interrogation to consult with you. Finally, at the end of the interrogation, they can critically review the official report of your statement to check if everything has been written down correctly.

Without a lawyer, you’re sitting alone opposite often experienced police officers who are trained to make you give a statement. The presence of a lawyer during your interrogation provides a safer feeling. You are then assisted by a skilled professional who stands up for your interests. A personal process guardian. Assistance from a lawyer during the interrogation is therefore important in all cases.

If you have been arrested as a suspect, you are entitled to a free lawyer who may be present during your police interrogation. If you have not been arrested, you must pay the costs for the lawyer during the interrogation yourself. Feel free to contact one of our criminal defense lawyers for the possibilities via 088-9336464. Our lawyers are familiar with the ins and outs of a police interrogation. They are happy to assist you during your police interrogation.

Custody

After the police have arrested and interrogated you, they may decide to hold you longer. This can initially be for 3 days. This is called custody. During this period, the police can further interrogate you and conduct other investigations. It is of great importance that you are assisted by a criminal defense lawyer during this period who advises you about your rights and assists you in determining your procedural stance.

If the police want to hold you even longer, you must be brought before an examining magistrate within 3 days and 15 hours. They then assess whether you were rightfully arrested and whether you should remain in custody.

Remand

If the suspicion is serious enough, the examining magistrate can remand you in custody. This starts the pre-trial detention. You are then deprived of your freedom for a maximum period of 14 days. During the hearing before the examining magistrate, it is of great importance that you are assisted by a criminal defense lawyer. Depending on the case, a criminal defense lawyer with the right defenses and requests can prevent you from remaining deprived of your freedom. We are happy to assist you during this procedure.

Detention

If the examining magistrate has remanded you in custody, you usually appear before the multi-judge chamber of the court within 14 days. These three judges can order that your pre-trial detention be extended for a period of 90 days. We are also happy to assist you during this procedure with our expertise. Should the chamber decide that you should remain deprived of your freedom, you can appeal against that decision. We are happy to advise you on the possibilities in that case. Within these 90 days, you will receive a summons to appear before the criminal judge.

Contact a criminal defense lawyer for a detailed explanation of the pre-trial detention procedure. We always have a criminal defense lawyer nearby.

Summons

Whether you were sent home after interrogation, or you have been in pre-trial detention, at some point you must hear from the justice department.

If you are suspected of a criminal offense, the public prosecutor can make you a transaction proposal, issue a penalty order, or send you a summons to appear before the judge. Most cases are handled by the police judge. More serious cases by the multi-judge criminal chamber. We advise you to immediately contact one of our criminal defense lawyers in all cases where you hear something from the police or justice department. They can advise you free of charge about the possibilities. Because the law sets deadlines within which you must respond, it is advisable to make contact quickly.

Good Preparation is of Great Importance

Are you a suspect? If you are to appear before the judge, it is advisable to be well prepared. You need to know what to expect and you need to know what to do. Our lawyers are happy to advise you on this. After good preparation, you will appear much more confidently at the hearing.

Good preparation also includes thinking about exculpatory evidence. You can think about further investigation, but also about the possibility of calling witnesses, for example. To optimally effectuate your rights, it is advisable to start preparation in time. There are deadlines that must be observed, so quick action is required.

We are here as criminal defense lawyers to assist you. Whatever someone is suspected of, we defend the person. Mindful of the words of the great criminal defense lawyer Mr. Max Moszkowicz Sr., we do not defend the act, but the human being.

We believe that everyone is entitled to a good defense. We consider it our task to assist the individual in the fight against the big government. We really are on your side. Whether you are guilty or innocent. And what you tell us, we treat with absolute confidentiality.

Types of Criminal Cases

The criminal defense lawyers at our firm deal with all aspects of criminal law.

Procedures at the Court

We have experience and expertise in all areas of criminal law.

Even if you have to appear as a witness, you have rights (right to refuse to testify). In such cases, we are happy to assist you. We do not accompany crown witnesses, threatened witnesses, or police informants.

Procedures at the Court of Appeal

Procedures at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands

Procedures at the European Court of Human Rights

In addition to the above procedures, we are happy to assist you with penitentiary matters, military criminal law, medical criminal law and pardon procedures. Even if you have to appear as a witness, you have rights (right to refuse to testify). In such cases, we are happy to assist you. We do not accompany crown witnesses, threatened witnesses, or police informants.

Financial

The rates for our services depend on the nature and scope of the case, but of course also on your financial situation. We believe that everyone is entitled to good legal assistance, even if you are not able to pay for your lawyer yourself. In that case, our firm offers you the possibility to be assisted by a specialized criminal defense lawyer on the basis of an assignment. This is also called pro bono lawyer, or as it used to be called: a lawyer of inability, who could be consulted with a certificate of inability or proof of inability. We are happy to inform you about our hourly rates and possible (fixed) price agreements.

If the police want to interrogate you, you may receive an invitation to report to the police station. Before you report, contact a criminal defense lawyer.

With a criminal defense lawyer, you can discuss whether you should report and what potential consequences there are if you don’t. A lawyer can also advise you about your rights during the police interrogation. If you are not arrested, for example, you can leave whenever you want.

Our criminal defense lawyers are happy to advise you about your rights.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Emergency? Criminal Defense Lawyer Available 24 Hours a Day!

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions