Homicide
Manslaughter is described in the Dutch Penal Code as intentionally taking another person's life. As such, manslaughter is similar to murder. The difference between the two crimes is that murder also requires premeditation. Thus, if a suspect acts intentionally but from a whim, it is called manslaughter; if a suspect acts from a premeditated plan, it is more likely to be murder.
Like murder, manslaughter is a serious crime. If you or someone you know is suspected of this, it is important that you hire a specialized criminal lawyer at an early stage. At Van Meekren Advocatuur, the necessary expertise is readily available.
What is the penalty for manslaughter?
In each individual case, a judge must assess what punishment he deems appropriate and necessary if he reaches a conviction. Therefore, a standard punishment for manslaughter does not exist.
However, the law does have maximum penalties. For manslaughter (without aggravating circumstances) it is a prison sentence of up to 25 years or a fifth category fine.
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Van Meekren Advocatuur litigates throughout the Netherlands, including the courts in Alkmaar, Almelo, Amsterdam, Arnhem, Assen, Breda, Dordrecht, The Hague, Groningen, Haarlem, 's-Hertogenbosch, Leeuwarden, Lelystad, Maastricht, Middelburg, Roermond, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zutphen and Zwolle, the courts of appeal in Amsterdam, Arnhem, The Hague, 's-Hertogenbosch and Leeuwarden, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague. Van Meekren Advocatuur also litigates at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.