Page 11 - If-you-are-suspected-of-a-criminal-offence

If you are suspected of a criminal offence

president of the court (senior judge) first examines the file to determine
whether another hearing is warranted. If the president decides not to hear the
appeal, the verdict of the original court is confirmed. You are not able to
appeal against this decision. However, if the president decides that an appeal is
appropriate, the Court of Appeal will hear your case and pass an independent
verdict and sentence. In principle, you are able to take the case one stage
further to the Hoge Raad, or Supreme Court. As the name suggests, this is the
highest court in the land. The Supreme Court will re-examine the case, but will
rule only on procedure and points of law: was the trial conducted properly and
did the other judges apply the law correctly? The Supreme Court does not rule
on matters of sentencing.

Compensation

If you have spent time on remand and are eventually acquitted, or if the case is
‘discharged’, you may be entitled to compensation. Your lawyer will be able to
advise you further.

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