In some (exceptional) cases, revision can reverse an irrevocable criminal conviction. You can submit a request for a revision at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.
A conviction is only irrevocable if there is no longer any possibility to appeal. This may be the case, for example, if the appeal in cassation has been rejected or if the time limit for lodging an appeal or appeal in cassation has expired.
A condition for revision is that there is new evidence (novum). This evidence must lead to the conclusion that the judge would probably have come to a different opinion if it had already been known during the initial trial. Examples of a novum are, for example, new insights from experts or new (exculpatory) DNA evidence.
If the Supreme Court upholds a request for a revision, the criminal case will be reopened and redone. The case will then be dealt with by a Court of Appeal that has not dealt with the case before.
Our lawyers can assist you in preparing and filing an application for a retrial.
