In this paper we have conducted a brief examination of Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 3, 2014 on the freezing and confiscating the proceeds of crime committed in the European Union, an important legal instrument in the architecture of judicial cooperation in criminal matters within the Member States. This paper continues the research conducted in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters which have resulted in the publication of works in this area. The innovations of the paper are represented by the conducted examination, and the expressed critical opinions, opinions aimed at contributing to the improvement of European legislative system. The paper can be useful to academics and practitioners in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the European Union.