The Code of Criminal Procedure contains rules for the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal offenses. Due to the aging of the current Code and various developments in society, modernization of the Code is needed.
The Committee for Justice and Security (J&V) is organizing two meetings on February 11 to prepare for the handling of a new Code of Criminal Procedure. First, a technical briefing from the Ministry of Justice and Security will take place. Subsequently, Leiden University will offer a lecture for the members of the Senate.
A thorough restructuring of the code is necessary. This contributes to the legal certainty and usability of the code in practice. The aim is to make the new Code of Criminal Procedure future-proof, workable, and accessible for citizens and professionals. Additionally, the bill provides a balanced system of legal safeguards. The bill is currently still under consideration by the House of Representatives.
You can follow both meetings live on the website:
The current Code of Criminal Procedure was introduced in 1926. Due to national and international developments, the society for which the code was originally made has now changed significantly. You can think of international (drug) crime and the associated criminal justice, technological developments, changing roles within criminal law, and increased attention to the suspect and victim in the criminal process.
The Code has been amended numerous times over the past decades, making it confusing and inaccessible. Modernization brings the Code up to date and makes it comprehensible. It provides for further digitization of the criminal process. Additionally, it contains a clear description of the position of the main participants in the process with their rights and powers.
The Ministry of Justice and Security provides a technical briefing on this new Code of Criminal Procedure.
Jeroen ten Voorde, professor of criminal law and criminal procedure law, and substitute judge, and Marianne Lochs, assistant professor of criminal law and criminal procedure law, substitute judge, will provide a lecture for the committee members. Both are affiliated with Leiden University.
The experts will discuss topics on which there is discussion in both science and practice. After discussing each topic, members can ask questions about it.