Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Core concepts
Substantive criminal law rests on the legality principle (art. 1 Sr), the structure of an offence (delictsbestanddelen), and the four conditions of culpability (toerekeningsvatbaarheid, wederrechtelijkheid, schuld, and the element of the offence itself). Know the distinction between opzet (intent, including voorwaardelijk opzet) and culpa (negligence). Study the grounds for excluding liability (overmacht, noodweer, noodweerexces, wettelijk voorschrift, bevoegd gegeven ambtelijk bevel) and the rules on attempt, participation (plegen, doen plegen, uitlokken, medeplegen, medeplichtigheid), and concurrence (eendaadse samenloop, meerdaadse samenloop).
Procedure is governed by the Wetboek van Strafvordering (Sv): the opsporingsonderzoek, the role of the officier van justitie, the bevel tot voorlopige hechtenis, the gerechtelijk vooronderzoek, the proces-verbaal, and the rules on hearing and confronting witnesses. Know the appeal and cassation routes and the rules on nullity of procedural acts and the concept of vormverzuim (art. 359a Sv).
Traps
Questions often test whether a circumstance is a bestanddeel or an element, which determines what the prosecution must prove. Watch the difference between voorwaardelijk opzet (accepted chance) and bewuste schuld. In procedure, distinguish the powers of the rechter-commissaris from those of the officier van justitie. Do not confuse the grounds for appeal with cassation grounds.
Worked rule of thumb
For any offence question, write the statutory definition first, mark each element, then apply the facts to each element separately before addressing defences and participation.
Key points
- Separate bestanddelen from general elements of culpability.
- Distinguish voorwaardelijk opzet from bewuste schuld.
- Know the participation forms and their requirements.
- Map the pre-trial procedure and the powers of each actor.
- Apply the statutory definition element by element.