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[English publications and Dutch publications with English summaries are shown here.For a full overview of publications, please refer to the Dutch section of our website.

In an increasingly diversifying society, public space is the quintessential social realm where members of that diverse society meet each other. Thus space is shared, whilst norms regarding that space are not always shared. In this article a frame is offered to scrutinize the working of law in action in public space, by applying the conceptual triad of spatial thinker Lefebvre to understand how law is “produced”. It argues that how law is perceived in action is pivotal to understanding how law works in action. Moreover, it discusses the possible ramifications of the perception of law in action for how the legal system as a whole is perceived.

Chevalier, D.A.M. (2016) “The production of law”: Law in action in the everyday and the juridical consequences of juridification. Recht der Werkelijkheid 37(3): 116-133.

[DOI: 10.5553/RdW/138064242016037003007]

The term evidence-based policy has become a formulaic expression in contemporary governance speak, including in the realm of drug policy. The term suggests the presumption of scientific objectivity versus subjective opinions. This chapter argues that the production, selection, and interpretation of evidence is a normative process. 

Chevalier, D.A.M. (2016) Truth or tale? The production, selection, and interpretation of evidence informing municipal policy on public use of soft drugs. In: O'Gorman, A., Potter, G.R. & Fountain, J. (Eds.) Evidence in European social drug research and drug policy. Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers.

This study aims to set out the consequences of the proposed changes of the criteria for the application of investigative powers and coercive measures concerning the deprivation of liberty. The term ‘consequences’ refers to the anticipated effects of the proposed changes for the efficiency of criminal investigations. Such efficiency is assessed in both quantitative and qualitative terms.
In order to arrive at a complete and correct overview of the consequences of the proposals, this study examines which investigative powers and means of coercion that entail [the] deprivation of liberty can no longer be applied as a result of the proposed changes when investigating one of the crimes selected for the purpose of this study, and whether this will lead to a loss of efficiency in the investigation of those crimes according to the prac-titioners involved (police officers and public prosecutors).
[DUTCH PUBLICATION WITH ENGLISH SUMMARY]

Abels, D., Benschop, A., Blom, T., Jonk, J. & Korf, D.J. (2016) Vereenvoudiging Verdenkingscriteria. De gevolgen van de voorgenomen wijziging van de verdenkingscriteria voor de opsporingspraktijk. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers.

This research concerns the evaluation of super expedited proceedings (‘supersnelrechtprocedures’) in the Netherlands. Super expedited proceedings are defined as criminal proceedings in which the case is tried in court within the period of ‘inverzekeringstelling’ (the first three days of detention in police custody). At the end of the court session, the judge will deliver the verdict. If a prison sentence is imposed, preventive custody will be ordered. This way, the sentence will be served immediately. For the application of super expedited proceedings, it is necessary for the suspect to waive his right to be summoned at least three days before the court hearing (the statutory term of summons in cases before the police court).
The central research question is: ‘How do the super expedited proceedings function in the various districts and how could they possibly be improved?’
[DUTCH PUBLICATION WITH ENGLISH SUMMARY]

Van Weerden M.J., Benschop A., Liebregts N., Blom T. & Korf D.J. (2016) Evaluatie Supersnelrecht. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers.

Antenna 2015 describes developments in Amsterdam nightlife, as well as the corresponding trends in recreational substance use, using data from a panel study among trendsetters and a survey among coffeeshop customers.
Amsterdam nightlife reached a new peak in 2015, as the proliferation of dance clubs continued, new cafés sprang up and more festivals were held. After a prolonged upward trend in drug use across nightlife scenes, trendsetters have slightly tempered that trend in recent years. Despite this, the scale of drug use in some segments remains high to very high.
In coffeeshops, alcohol and hard drugs are strictly taboo, but many of their customers do use these substances in nightlife venues or at home. Ecstasy is the most popular recreational drug. The use of ecstasy and other recreational drugs is predominantly recreational and drugs are not used indiscriminately or at every available moment or occasion. 
Antenna also reports about vulnerable young people in Amsterdam's neighborhoods. Their substance use mainly centers on cannabis. 
[DUTCH PUBLICATION WITH ENGLISH SUMMARY] 

Nabben, T., Benschop, A. & Korf, D.J. (2016) Antenne 2015. Trends in alcohol, tabak, en drugs bij jonge Amsterdammers. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers.

Van Ooyen-Houben, M.M.J, Bieleman, B. & Korf, D.J. (2016) Tightening the Dutch coffee shop policy: Evaluation of the private club and the residence criterion. International Journal of Drug Policy, 31: 113-120.

[DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.01.019]

For his PhD thesis Alberto Oteo Pérez interviewed 1,039 frequent crack users inside and outside institutional settings in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague (The Netherlands). Aim of his thesis was to describe the main characteristics of urban frequent crack users, to estimate the size of the urban population of frequent crack users in the three largest cities in the Netherlands, to determine their involvement in crime, particularly drug dealing, and to gain insight into their initial interest and willingness to participate in pharmacological treatment.

Oteo Pérez, A. (2016) Urban crack users in The Netherlands: Prevalence, characteristics, criminality and potential for new treatments. Amsterdam: Bonger Institute, University of Amsterdam.