Public Prosecution Service (Netherlands) Explained

Agency Name:Netherlands Public Prosecution Service
Type:Agency
Nativename:Openbaar Ministerie
Formed:[1]
Jurisdiction:Government of the Netherlands
Headquarters:Prins Clauslaan 60 2595 AJ The Hague, Netherlands (Hague office)
Minister1 Name:Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius
Minister1 Pfo:Dutch Minister of Justice and Safety (Dutch abbr: J&V)
Agency Type:Prosecution Service
Keydocument1:https://www.om.nl/organisatie/@25160/brochure-beeld/
Website:https://www.om.nl/

The Public Prosecution Service[2] (Dutch; Flemish: Openbaar Ministerie, OM;) is the body of public prosecutors in the Dutch criminal justice system.

The literal translation of Openbaar Ministerie, "Public Ministry", can lead to a misunderstanding, as the OM is not a ministry like the Ministry of Finance.

The Public Prosecution Service decides who has to appear in front of the judge and for which offence or crime. It is the body that can decide to prosecute someone. The main domain of the OM is criminal law rather than civil law.

The OM has ten regional offices, directed nationally by the College van Procureurs-Generaal in The Hague. Although it is considered part of the judicial branch, the OM is ultimately responsible to the Minister of Justice and Safety (Minister van Justitie en Veiligheid), who together with the college determines the priorities and organisation of the Service.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of the Public Prosecution Service . 24 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052925/https://www.om.nl/publish/pages/14268/historie_om.pdf . 4 March 2016.
  2. This is the English translation used by the Openbaar Ministerie itself. Web site: About the Public Prosecution Service . 28 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706231319/http://www.om.nl/vast_menu_blok/english/about_the_public/. 6 July 2011.
  3. Web site: OM: Organisatie. 22 December 2014.