Corruption: many shades of grey.
After a trial of almost four years, the verdict is actually a huge anticlimax. 240 hours of community service for the man who, according to the prosecution, was allegedly guilty of "large-scale serious fraud and corruption in which millions of euros unnecessarily flowed into the pockets of property developers". Of this charge, the court made little substance [...]
Looking into the soul of a judge (through the eyes of a lawyer).
After I have entered my plea at a hearing, the outcome of the case remains uncertain for a while. You cannot tell from the judge; judges are like sphinxes in that respect. They rarely show how the arguments fall; you often only read that in the verdict. Also [...]
Nederwiet; Backdoor problem becomes even more problematic with new Section 11a Opium Act.
Section 11a of the Opium Act came into force on 1 March this year. This section prohibits performing acts to prepare or facilitate illegal hemp cultivation. This usually involves acts that are not punishable in themselves, such as selling specially enriched potting soil, installing isolations and irrigation systems or renting out [...]
To be or not to be Charlie....?
The Paris attacks on 7 January triggered a global shockwave, with the slogan "Je suis Charlie" soon to express outrage at this attack on freedom of speech and artistic expression in Western society. The slogan was shared en masse, and for a while it seemed everyone was unconditionally in favour of free [...]
A disorderly administration will soon be threatened with imprisonment.
A record 4983 bankruptcies were declared in the first half of 2013. Bankruptcy often means a personal tragedy for those directly involved, but also for employees, creditors, lenders and consumers. The government also suffers, as often no taxes were paid by the bankrupt or no social security contributions were made. Financial consequences [...]
Cybercrime
A growing global problem is computer crime, or cybercrime. According to an estimate by Europol, victims of cybercrime would suffer a combined annual loss of 290 billion euros worldwide. That amount is larger than the amount involved in the global drug trade. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics' security monitor, in 2013, about [...]
Has the alcolock programme breathed its last?
From 2011, persons who got behind the wheel with one drink too many could be imposed an alcohol lock programme. The alcohol lock is an immobiliser installed in the car. The lock measures the driver's breath and prevents the car from starting if the driver has drunk too much alcohol. The offender [...]
Punished for life and still start resocialising?
About 40 people in the Netherlands are serving life sentences. According to State Secretary for Security and Justice Teeven, life imprisonment is actually life imprisonment. This would mean that there is virtually no prospect of a return to society for this group in the Netherlands at present. Thus, according to the state secretary, they need not be eligible [...]