Victim rights
Izgi Advocatuur specializes in assisting victims and relatives of (serious) criminal offenses and meets the high standards set by the Dutch Bar Association and the Legal Aid Board for this specialization. As a victim of a criminal offense, you not only have the right to recognition and justice but also to active participation in the criminal process. The law increasingly offers opportunities to make your voice heard and to claim damages.
Izgi Advocatuur supports victims in exercising their rights and ensures that you are involved in the process and not sidelined.
For you as a victim or relative, this procedure is entirely free of charge if you are a victim of a violent or sexual offense or if you are a relative of someone who died as a result of a violent crime.
The criminal process can be emotionally and legally complex for victims, so let an experienced attorney assist you. Izgi Advocatuur guides you through every stage of the process, from filing a report to submitting a claim for damages and potential prosecution of the suspect.
Victims/relatives
Information About the Criminal Case
Victims/relatives have the right to information about the progress of the case, such as the Public Prosecutor’s decision, the hearing date, and the imposed penalty. In short, you have the right to be kept informed of important developments in the criminal case.
Right to Be Heard
Victims/relatives can share their story in court, for example, through a victim statement. This helps the judge better understand the impact of the crime.
Claiming Damages
Victims/relatives can join the criminal case as an aggrieved party and claim damages for material damages (such as medical costs) and non-material damages (such as emotional distress).
Article 12 Criminal Procedure Code (Sv) Procedure
As a victim of a criminal offense, you expect the perpetrator to be prosecuted. Unfortunately, the Public Prosecutor may decide to dismiss a case, for example, due to insufficient evidence or a discretionary decision. However, this does not mean your case is definitively closed.
Under Article 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Sv), you can file a complaint with the Court of Appeal against the Public Prosecutor’s decision not to prosecute. The Court of Appeal will then assess whether prosecution should still take place. This gives victims/relatives an additional legal remedy to demand justice.