Murder
Murder is described in the Dutch Penal Code as taking another person's life "intentionally" and "with premeditation.
The latter distinguishes murder from manslaughter. Manslaughter is also defined as intentionally taking another person's life, but does not require that it be premeditated. Homicide, of course, is also a serious crime, but has a lower penalty maximum than murder.
A liquidation is a particular type of murder and not separately criminalized. A liquidation usually refers to a settlement in the criminal circuit.
Murder is often considered the most serious (common) 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 amply available.
What is premeditation?
Premeditation, according to the history of the law, indicated a moment of calm deliberation, of calm reflection prior to execution; it is the opposite of the instantaneous state of mind.
The Supreme Court later clarified when premeditation exists. It must be established that the defendant was able to consider the decision to be made or the decision taken for some time and that he did not act in an instantaneous state of mind.
What is the penalty for murder?
The maximum penalty for murder is life imprisonment. Whether that is actually imposed is a second thing. The judge will always have to determine, in each individual case, what punishment he deems appropriate and necessary.
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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.