Openbaar Ministerie

The Openbaar Ministerie (OM), also known as the Public Prosecution Service, is the independent prosecutorial authority of the Netherlands, headquartered in the Netherlands. Its core mandate is to investigate suspected criminal offences, decide whether to prosecute, and represent the State in criminal proceedings before the courts. The OM provides legal advice and guidance to police forces during investigations and oversees the legality of police actions. It prepares indictments, conducts trials, and may appeal judgments when it deems a sentence insufficient or a legal error has occurred. In addition to prosecution, the service offers victim support and ensures that the rights of suspects are respected throughout the judicial process. The organisation operates nationwide, serving all residents and visitors within Dutch jurisdiction.

The OM distinguishes itself by its statutory independence from the executive branch while remaining accountable to the Minister of Justice and Security, which gives it a unique position in the Dutch justice system. It works closely with chain partners such as the police, the judiciary, and forensic laboratories to build cases and ensure effective law enforcement. During the ICT‑system vulnerability disclosed on 1 July 2025, the OM reported a possible multi‑week disconnection from the internet, forcing staff to rely on on‑site logins and limiting email reachability, yet essential criminal‑case proceedings continued under emergency procedures. Some case‑management systems were restored for dossier consultation while forensic analysis of the incident proceeded, and the organisation collaborated with its partners to minimise disruption. The OM’s ability to maintain core prosecutorial functions despite the digital outage highlights its operational resilience and contingency planning. No further details about the organisation’s size, budget, or internal structure are provided in the source material.