moord

Moord is the Dutch term for the intentional and premeditated killing of a person. In Dutch-speaking jurisdictions it denotes a deliberate act to end a life and is distinguished from doodslag, which refers to killing without premeditation or with lesser intent to kill. A central legal element of moord is voorbedachte rade, or premeditation, though some cases also consider aggravating circumstances such as the vulnerability of the victim or the use of a weapon when classifying and sentencing.

Legal framework: In the Netherlands and Belgium’s Dutch-speaking regions, moord is treated as a grave offense within the criminal codes. Penalties are among the most severe available, potentially including life imprisonment or long fixed-term sentences, depending on the case and aggravating factors. Doodslag or other forms of unlawful killing carry different penalties and require different mental elements. In some cases, the line between moord and doodslag can hinge on factors like planning, intent, and motive, with courts assessing evidence such as communications, surveillance, and prior behavior.

Process and context: Investigations are conducted by police, with prosecutors deciding on charges and pursuing trials. Trials are held in criminal courts, where the accused has rights to defense and to appeal. Moord, as a category, also appears in crime statistics, journalism, and cultural representations, where it is discussed in relation to motives, prevention, social factors, and the functioning of the criminal justice system.