Verbaal

Verbaal is a Dutch noun used primarily in legal and administrative contexts to denote a written, sworn statement or official report. In common usage it is most often encountered as part of the term proces-verbaal, the formal police report that records events, statements, and findings related to a given incident. The word can refer to the document itself or to the statements contained within it.

A proces-verbaal is typically drawn up by a police officer and may involve input from a public prosecutor. It usually contains identifying information about the persons involved, a factual narrative of what happened, and statements from witnesses, suspects, or experts. The person providing statements may be asked to read the document aloud and sign it; if signing is refused or not possible, a note to that effect may be added.

The verbaal serves as an official record that can be submitted as evidence in criminal proceedings, civil actions, or administrative processes. Its accuracy is important, and errors can be corrected or clarified through proper procedures in the relevant jurisdiction. Different types of proces-verbaal exist, such as those recording arrests (proces-verbaal van aanhouding) or findings (proces-verbaal van bevindingen), with content tailored to the context.

In everyday language, verbaal is often used as shorthand for the formal record rather than for a mere spoken statement. It remains a key term in Dutch-speaking legal systems, where the proces-verbaal functions as a foundational document in documenting and prosecuting incidents.