Openbaar Ministerie

The Openbaar Ministerie (OM) is the public prosecution service of the Netherlands, tasked with bringing criminal charges against individuals suspected of offences under Dutch law. It works closely with police forces to assess evidence, decide whether to prosecute, and prepare cases for trial before the courts. The OM also provides legal advice to investigative authorities and oversees the execution of sentences where applicable. Its activities cover the entire criminal justice spectrum, from minor infractions to serious organised crime.

Operating as a national government agency, the OM maintains a network of regional offices that correspond to the districts of the Dutch court system, ensuring a presence throughout the country. While specific staff numbers are not disclosed in the available sources, the organisation handles a substantial caseload each year, reflecting its central role in the Dutch legal system. The OM’s jurisdiction extends to all criminal matters occurring within the Netherlands’ territory, and it cooperates with international partners on cross‑border investigations. This nationwide reach allows it to apply uniform prosecutorial standards across different regions.

As part of the Ministry of Justice and Security, the OM occupies a distinct regulatory position, exercising prosecutorial discretion independently while remaining accountable to the Minister for Legal Protection. Its core competencies include case management, legal analysis, and the coordination of complex investigations involving multiple agencies. In July 2025 the OM experienced a cybersecurity incident that temporarily disconnected its ICT systems from the internet, prompting an ongoing forensic investigation and the activation of emergency procedures to sustain essential criminal proceedings. The organisation’s status as a governmental body means it has no private parent or subsidiary entities, deriving its authority directly from the Dutch state.