Verdachte

Verdachte is a legal term used in Dutch and Belgian criminal procedure to refer to a person who is suspected of having committed a crime and is under investigation. The status is granted when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person may have been involved in an offense. A verdachte has not yet been proven guilty, and the designation is distinct from a formal conviction. In practice, the status signals that investigative measures may be applied within the bounds of the law and the person’s rights.

During the investigation, a verdachte may be questioned by investigators, and police or judicial authorities may use certain measures to gather evidence. The rights of a verdachte typically include access to legal counsel, the right to be informed of the grounds for suspicion, and, in many cases, the right to silence. The handling of a verdachte is guided by procedures intended to balance effective investigation with fundamental freedoms and protections against abuse.

If the public prosecutor decides there is enough evidence to proceed, a formal charge or indictment may be filed with the court. At that point the person is referred to as the aangeklaagde (the accused) in the courtroom proceedings. The outcome of the case can result in conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of the charges. A verdict may lead to penalties or sanctions, while an acquittal ends the legal process with no finding of guilt.

The term verdachte emphasizes the presumption of innocence in the criminal process and serves as a procedural status rather than a determination of guilt. It is widely used in legal texts and media coverage related to ongoing investigations.