Amsterdam lawyers guilty of buying confidential police info; not punished

Two Amsterdam lawyers were found guilty of violating official secrecy by buying confidential information from a police volunteer. The Amsterdam court decided not to impose punishment though, NOS reports.

The lawyers bought files from the volunteer on road accident and assault victims they represented. In total the 42-year-old man and 60-year-old woman paid several thousands of euros for these files, which they used in procedures.

The court decided not to punish the lawyers, because they did not benefit much form the documents. The files were about victims who were already their clients, so the data did not generate new clientele. In addition, the lawyers did not really violate the law, according to the court. The procedural files were also available via different, legal channels. They were found guilty, however, because the court felt they should have known better.

The 63-year-old woman who sold the documents to the lawyer will appear in court on a later date.