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Global Crime Issues: A Comparison of Different Countries' Criminal Justice Systems: Perspectives from the Netherlands

NCJ Number
218559
Author(s)
Thomas Schiller
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a brief review of a comparative study of the Netherlands with nine other countries to examine the Netherlands legal infrastructure as it relates to crime control.
Abstract
Study findings are limited to what is comparable and what is relevant to government policymakers. The Netherlands ranks in the middle of the countries studied for murder and violent crime against persons and businesses; has a comparatively low level of government corruption; and ranks high in the amount of minor crime against persons and businesses. Key comparative findings highlight the lack of personal and private sector crime prevention initiatives, low expenditure on law enforcement, and an under-resourced judicial sector. With limitations, the data given presents an interesting comparative overview of crime in different countries and their resources in combating crime. This paper presents a brief review of findings from a study of the Netherlands legal infrastructure (rules, judicial organization, and enforcement) as it relates to crime control with nine other countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The study examined where the Netherlands stands in comparison to the above countries. The study used an opportunity theory-based comparison to establish parameters for analysis. The types of crime studied were crimes against the person: murder and other violent crime; threats of violence; and property crime; theft, burglary, car theft. References