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Criminal file downloader
A tool for fellow lawyers: automatically download criminal files from Just-on-Web.
Criminal file downloader
A tool for fellow lawyers: automatically download criminal files from Just-on-Web.
Download strafdossier_downloader.py (V36)Version 36 · 5 October 2026
What the program does
This program reads an open JustConsult file in your own Chrome, where you are already signed in, and saves all documents as PDF, in the same folder structure as in JustConsult.
It is a Python script with its own window: you do not need to program anything. Everything happens on your own computer and the program never sees your passwords or login details.
What you need
- Google Chrome. If Chrome is not installed, the program uses Microsoft Edge.
- Python 3 (free, from python.org).
- Playwright: the software that lets the program control Chrome (free, you install it in step B).
- Valid personal access to Just-on-Web/JustConsult.
There is no installer. Python and Playwright are not installed automatically: you install them once yourself, as described below.
Set up once (about 10 minutes)
A. Install Python
Download the latest Python 3 version from
python.org/downloadsand open the installer.If the first screen shows a box Add python.exe to PATH, tick it before you continue.
Then open a command window (search your computer for “command prompt” or “terminal”) and type:
python --version
You know it worked when a version number appears, for example “Python 3.x”. If
pythondoes not work, trypython3 --versionand usepython3in the next steps.B. Install Playwright
In the same command window, type:
python -m pip install playwright
Press Enter and wait for the installation to finish. This can take a minute and new text keeps appearing; that is normal. No extra installation step is needed.
You know it worked when a line starting with “Successfully installed” appears at the bottom.
C. Keep the program
Click Download strafdossier_downloader.py (V36) above.
Save the file in a fixed place, for example in a folder “Strafdossier Downloader” in your Documents.
You know it worked when you see the file
strafdossier_downloader.pyin that folder.
Every time you download a file
Start the program and open Chrome
Double-click
strafdossier_downloader.py. If your computer asks what to open it with, choose Python. A window “Strafdossier Downloader V36” opens. The program itself is in Dutch; the names of its buttons are given below with a translation.Click Chrome openen (open Chrome). A separate Chrome window opens, apart from your usual Chrome, on the Just-on-Web start page. Keep that window open for the whole download.
It is simply Google Chrome (or Microsoft Edge if Chrome is missing), but started by the program with its own, separate profile. Your bookmarks, extensions and saved passwords from your usual Chrome are therefore not in it, and your usual Chrome stays untouched. The program starts this window in “remote debugging” mode: a connection on your own computer that lets the program control the window to read the file. Your sign-in is kept in that separate profile, so next time you often do not have to sign in again.
Sign in and open the file
In that Chrome window, sign in with itsme, your eID card reader or MyGov. Open JustConsult and, in it, the file you want to download.
An earlier sign-in is often remembered. If your session has expired, simply sign in again.
Check the three ticks
At the top of the program window it says “1 · Verbinding met Just-on-Web” (connection with Just-on-Web) with three items: “Chrome staat open (debug-modus)” (Chrome is open), “JustConsult is geopend” (JustConsult is open) and “Dossier is geopend” (file is open).
You know everything is ready when all three have a green tick. If an item is not right yet, orange text tells you what to do.
Analyse the file and choose folders
Go to the tab 2 · Dossier kiezen (choose file) and click Dossier analyseren (analyse file). The program opens all folders itself; you do not need to expand anything. For large files this takes a few minutes.
You then see a folder tree with tick boxes and the number of documents per folder. Everything is ticked by default. Tick or untick folders or subfolders. The buttons Alles selecteren (select all), Niets selecteren (select none), Alles uitklappen (expand all) and Alles inklappen (collapse all) speed this up. At the bottom it says “x van y documenten geselecteerd” (x of y documents selected).
Download
Go to the tab 3 · Downloaden (download). Choose the save folder (by default the folder
JustOnWeb_PDFon your desktop; your last choice is remembered) and click Download starten (start download). Each file goes into its own subfolder with the file number.You see the current document, a progress bar, the counts (downloaded, skipped, failed), the amount of data, the elapsed time and an estimate of the remaining time. Keep the program window and the special Chrome window open.
With the Stop button at the top right you stop: the current document is still finished and PDFs already saved are kept.
Check the result
When it is done you see the result: the counts and a check that all selected documents are present. If something failed, it is listed with the reason.
With Rapport openen (csv) (open report) you open a report with one line per document (status, size and time, also which documents are “Niet verwerkt” (not processed) after a Stop). With Dossiermap openen (open file folder) you go to the PDFs. The report is kept per download as
_rapport_JJJJMMDD_UUMMSS.csvin the file folder.A sound and a message tell you it has finished or been interrupted, so you can walk away.
Interrupted? How to continue
- Stopped or interrupted? Start the program again and use the same save folder. PDFs that are already valid are skipped, so you lose no time.
- Already downloaded part of a file? As save folder, choose the folder that contains the file folder, not the file folder itself.
- Documents failed? In the result, click Mislukte opnieuw proberen (retry failed).
- The tab Verloop (progress) shows in plain language what is happening. At the bottom there is a collapsible panel Technische details (technical details) with the button Logmap openen (open log folder). You only need that to report a problem.
Troubleshooting
“python is not recognized” or Python not found
Install Python again and tick Add python.exe to PATH, or use py -m pip install playwright.
A Playwright message at start-up
Run the installation commands of step B again.
Chrome not found
Install Chrome from google.com/chrome. Without Chrome the program uses Microsoft Edge.
The first tick does not turn green
Click Chrome openen again and work in the special window, not in your usual Chrome.
The second tick does not turn green
You are not signed in yet or JustConsult is not open.
The third tick does not turn green
Open a file in JustConsult.
“Mappen konden niet geopend worden” (folders could not be opened)
Analyse again. Documents in those folders may be missing.
It seems to stand still
Wait at least two minutes and look in Chrome for a message or a sign-in screen. After about 100 seconds without progress the program shows a warning itself. If downloads stall, try the option “Chrome op de voorgrond houden” (keep Chrome in the foreground).
Session interrupted
Sign in again in Chrome and start again. PDFs already saved are skipped.
Documents keep failing
Keep the report (csv) and the log files (Logmap openen) and report the problem.
Afterwards, always check that the downloaded documents are complete and correct.
Terms of use
1. Use at your own responsibility
The software is provided “as is”, without warranty as to its operation, completeness, availability or suitability. The author accepts no liability for use by third parties, nor for damage, data loss or incomplete downloads. The user remains fully responsible for its use and for compliance with legal, professional and contractual obligations.
2. No data sent to the author
Documents are processed locally. No criminal case files, PDFs, personal data or authentication data are sent to the author or to any server of the author. Login takes place in your own browser.
3. Access rights
Use of the tool does not grant any additional right of access to judicial case files. Use it only with a Just-on-web/JustConsult session to which you yourself have lawful access, within the limits set by the FPS Justice, the secrecy of the investigation and professional privilege.
4. Secrecy of the investigation
When using the software, the statutory rules on the secrecy of the investigation and the confidentiality of judicial case files must be observed.
The technical ability to download a case file changes nothing about the legal restrictions on the use or dissemination of the information contained in that file.
The user is personally responsible for avoiding unauthorised disclosure, dissemination, transfer or provision of case-file documents or information to persons who have no right to them.
5. Presumption of innocence
Downloading or locally storing documents from a criminal case file implies no judgment whatsoever on the guilt or innocence of any person.
When processing, storing, sharing or publishing information from criminal case files, users must take into account the presumption of innocence and all applicable legal and professional obligations.
Particular caution is warranted when sharing case-file documents, names, personal data, statements, official reports and other information relating to persons who have not yet been finally convicted.
6. No affiliation with the FPS Justice
This is an independent, unofficial tool: not a product of the FPS Justice, Just-on-web or JustConsult.
7. No guarantee of completeness
Changes to Just-on-web, the browser or security settings may break the tool's operation. Always check that the downloaded documents are complete and correct.
8. Open availability
The source code may be studied, adapted and shared under the same or compatible terms, provided authorship is credited. Commercial exploitation without the author's prior written consent is not permitted.
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