Public Prosecution Service (Netherlands)

Netherlands Public Prosecution Service
Openbaar Ministerie
Agency overview
Formed1811 (1811)[1]
TypeProsecution Service
JurisdictionGovernment of the Netherlands
HeadquartersPrins Clauslaan 60 2595 AJ The Hague, Netherlands (Hague office)
Minister responsible
  • David van Weel, Dutch Minister of Justice and Safety (Dutch abbr: J&V)
Key document
Websitehttps://www.om.nl/

The Public Prosecution Service[2] (Dutch: Openbaar Ministerie, OM; lit. 'Public Ministry') 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 name refers to not a ministry of the government but of 'publicity'.

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 (lit. 'College of Attorneys-General') 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]

  1. ^ "History of the Public Prosecution Service" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  2. ^ This is the English translation used by the Openbaar Ministerie itself. "About the Public Prosecution Service". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  3. ^ "OM: Organisatie". Retrieved 22 December 2014.