🥋 Jean-Claude Van Damme Convicted by Default in Belgium… and What It Teaches Us About Your Rights ⚖️
📅 March 25, 2025 — In Bruges, the police court sentenced Jean-Claude Van Damme to 2 months and 8 days of license suspension 🚗💨 and a €1,920 fine 💸.
The reason? In April 2024, in Knokke-Heist, the actor allegedly lost control of his car, crashed into a parked vehicle 🚘💥, and then into a tree 🌳➡️🚗.
⚠️ The twist: JCVD was not present at the hearing… and had not appointed a lawyer. Result: conviction by default. 🎬
📜 Conviction by Default: Not Always the End of the Story 🎥
In Belgium, if you are convicted by default, you can file an objection 🛡️ to obtain a new trial before the same court.
⏳ Ordinary time limit: 15 days from the official service of the judgment by a bailiff 📩.
😲 But Beware… the Clock Doesn’t Always Start Right Away!
If the judgment is not served in person (e.g., delivered to a neighbor, a notice left in the mailbox 📬, or served at an incorrect address 🏝️), the clock does not start running.
This is when the extraordinary time limit applies:
⏳ It only starts from the moment you actually become aware of the served judgment… and media coverage or rumors don’t count 📰🙅.
🧐 And for Jean-Claude Van Damme?
Even if all of Belgium read in the press that JCVD was convicted, that does not prove he received the official service.
➡️ As long as no formal notification has been made to him in person or to an authorized third party, he can still object and have his case reheard in court. 🥊⚖️
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Always check if the judgment has been served to you personally.
✅ If not, the 15-day deadline may not have even started yet!
✅ Media coverage 📺 or hearsay 🗣️ never replace an official service.
🎯 Bottom line: Even in a Hollywood-worthy scenario, Belgian procedure remains strict about deadlines. And sometimes, that can offer a real second chance to defend yourself.
📞 For any questions or assistance regarding road traffic matters in Belgium, feel free to contact me for tailored, professional advice suited to your situation.
