Verdacht en voorlopig vast

Documentary about the work of the examining judge, who within a closed, high-security court prison makes assessments in criminal cases. It is the first judge a suspect sees after being arrested. The examining judge sees the suspect in his chambers and only a lawyer and registrar can attend. Here, the examining judge discusses the offence with the defendant to assess whether the detention should be extended. Never before, a film crew was allowed inside this department, the Kabinet RC. The examining judge also inspects the work of the police and judicial authorities. Documentary filmmaker Jan Katsma followed a number of these special judges for more than a year at the The Hague department, where he used to be a registrar himself. The result is a unique glimpse in an unknown, but crucial part of the judicial system.