NCJ Number
155124
Editor(s)
A W de Vries,
L Verheijen
Date Published
1991
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This booklet provides statistics on the demographic characteristics of the Netherlands and descriptions of the country's criminal justice system, with emphasis on adult and juvenile corrections.
Abstract
The country has a population of more than 15 million, of whom 640,000 are aliens. The ordinary administration of justice is handled by judges who are mostly professionals who have studied law at a Dutch university. Trial by jury is not used. Civil cases and administrative proceedings are initiated by the aggrieved party, whereas only the Department of Public Prosecutions can initiate criminal proceedings. Persons age 18 and over are subject to adult criminal law. The court may impose a principal sentence, with or without an additional sentence, or make a nonpunitive order, or both. Principal sentences consist of imprisonment, detention, fines, and community service. Custodial sentences and fines may be partially or wholly suspended. The Dutch juvenile law is notable for its extremely flexible system of protective measures and training-oriented custodial sentences. Photographs