Police court and Correctional court

The procedure before the police and correctional court is largely the same.

First of all, there is a criminal investigation, which is generally secret. The complainant lodges his complaint, and the (deputy) public prosecutor will determine which investigative acts should take place. Usually first the targeted perpetrator, then any witnesses (it is advisable for those who file a complaint to pass on the name - and possibly address - of possible witnesses). The reporting officers make their findings. At some point, the prosecutor will rule that the investigation is over. He will then dismiss or summon. Who has reported his intervention (usually via a lawyer) will be notified. In any case, the complainant.

If the suspected perpetrator was charged during the investigation, he will also be notified. If not in any way by the citation if there is no dismissal.

In the event of an offense and a judicial investigation, or a complaint with a civil party claim, a summons will first be issued via the council chamber, a kind of intermediate station, in which it is the judge who will decide whether there is a referral to the criminal court or an extra-prosecution. . An appeal before the indictment chamber is only possible against a decision of referral to the correctional court if there is also an irregularity in the procedure.

In principle, the accused should not appear before the police court when he is represented by a lawyer. If this is not the case, and the accused does not appear, there is default. In that case, the opposition must be made within 15 days of the bailiff's service. If this is not done to the person of the accused, it will be extended to 15 days after they became aware of are suspected of becoming aware.