From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future

Naomi van de Pol; Gerben Meynen; Sjors Ligthart

doi:10.4324/9781003510246-5

From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic

Abstract

Neuroscience and neurotechnology have contributed to criminal justice, both in practice and in research. Neurolaw is the academic field that studies the meaning and impact of neuroscience on the law and legal practices. Three neurolaw domains can be distinguished: revision, assessment, and intervention. The first part of this chapter considers these three areas with a focus on actual impact in the Netherlands. The second part of the chapter looks at the future in which neurotechnology in criminal justice can present both risks and opportunities for convicted persons’ human rights. This chapter does so in light of the current debate on so-called ‘neurorights’, which, it has been argued, may be required to ensure that rights protect people against potential risks and support opportunities presented by emerging neurotechnologies. In particular, this chapter focuses on the right to mental self-determination.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems
Subtitle of host publication	The Positive Impact of Neurojustice
Editors	Hannah Wishart, Colleen Berryessa
Publisher	Routledge
Pages	62-77
Number of pages	16
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003510246
ISBN (Print)	9781032827599, 9781032836164
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003510246-5
Publication status	Published - 27 Jan 2026

Publication series

Name	Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 selection and editorial matter, Hannah Wishart and Colleen M. Berryessa; individual chapters, the contributors.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Access to Document

10.4324/9781003510246-5

Embargoed Document

From Neurolaw to Neurorights_26_02_11_10_45_22
Final published version, 120 KB
Licence: Taverne
Embargo ends: 27/07/26
Request copy

Cite this

van de Pol, N., Meynen, G., & Ligthart, S. (2026). From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future. In H. Wishart, & C. Berryessa (Eds.), Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems: The Positive Impact of Neurojustice (pp. 62-77). (Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003510246-5

van de Pol, Naomi ; Meynen, Gerben ; Ligthart, Sjors. / From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future. Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems: The Positive Impact of Neurojustice. editor / Hannah Wishart ; Colleen Berryessa. Routledge, 2026. pp. 62-77 (Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure).

@inbook{65cc3f6b6c904127ad1d4cb61986c6c6,

title = "From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future",

abstract = "Neuroscience and neurotechnology have contributed to criminal justice, both in practice and in research. Neurolaw is the academic field that studies the meaning and impact of neuroscience on the law and legal practices. Three neurolaw domains can be distinguished: revision, assessment, and intervention. The first part of this chapter considers these three areas with a focus on actual impact in the Netherlands. The second part of the chapter looks at the future in which neurotechnology in criminal justice can present both risks and opportunities for convicted persons{\textquoteright} human rights. This chapter does so in light of the current debate on so-called {\textquoteleft}neurorights{\textquoteright}, which, it has been argued, may be required to ensure that rights protect people against potential risks and support opportunities presented by emerging neurotechnologies. In particular, this chapter focuses on the right to mental self-determination.",

author = "\{van de Pol\}, Naomi and Gerben Meynen and Sjors Ligthart",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 selection and editorial matter, Hannah Wishart and Colleen M. Berryessa; individual chapters, the contributors.",

year = "2026",

month = jan,

day = "27",

doi = "10.4324/9781003510246-5",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781032827599",

series = "Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure",

publisher = "Routledge",

pages = "62--77",

editor = "Hannah Wishart and Colleen Berryessa",

booktitle = "Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems",

}

van de Pol, N , Meynen, G & Ligthart, S 2026, From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future. in H Wishart & C Berryessa (eds), Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems: The Positive Impact of Neurojustice. Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure, Routledge, pp. 62-77. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003510246-5

From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future. / van de Pol, Naomi ; Meynen, Gerben ; Ligthart, Sjors.
Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems: The Positive Impact of Neurojustice. ed. / Hannah Wishart; Colleen Berryessa. Routledge, 2026. p. 62-77 (Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic

TY - CHAP

T1 - From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future

AU - van de Pol, Naomi

AU - Meynen, Gerben

AU - Ligthart, Sjors

PY - 2026/1/27

Y1 - 2026/1/27

N2 - Neuroscience and neurotechnology have contributed to criminal justice, both in practice and in research. Neurolaw is the academic field that studies the meaning and impact of neuroscience on the law and legal practices. Three neurolaw domains can be distinguished: revision, assessment, and intervention. The first part of this chapter considers these three areas with a focus on actual impact in the Netherlands. The second part of the chapter looks at the future in which neurotechnology in criminal justice can present both risks and opportunities for convicted persons’ human rights. This chapter does so in light of the current debate on so-called ‘neurorights’, which, it has been argued, may be required to ensure that rights protect people against potential risks and support opportunities presented by emerging neurotechnologies. In particular, this chapter focuses on the right to mental self-determination.

AB - Neuroscience and neurotechnology have contributed to criminal justice, both in practice and in research. Neurolaw is the academic field that studies the meaning and impact of neuroscience on the law and legal practices. Three neurolaw domains can be distinguished: revision, assessment, and intervention. The first part of this chapter considers these three areas with a focus on actual impact in the Netherlands. The second part of the chapter looks at the future in which neurotechnology in criminal justice can present both risks and opportunities for convicted persons’ human rights. This chapter does so in light of the current debate on so-called ‘neurorights’, which, it has been argued, may be required to ensure that rights protect people against potential risks and support opportunities presented by emerging neurotechnologies. In particular, this chapter focuses on the right to mental self-determination.

U2 - 10.4324/9781003510246-5

DO - 10.4324/9781003510246-5

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781032827599

SN - 9781032836164

T3 - Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure

SP - 62

EP - 77

BT - Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems

A2 - Wishart, Hannah

A2 - Berryessa, Colleen

PB - Routledge

ER -

van de Pol N , Meynen G , Ligthart S. From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future. In Wishart H, Berryessa C, editors, Neuroscience in Criminal Justice Systems: The Positive Impact of Neurojustice. Routledge. 2026. p. 62-77. (Routledge Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Procedure). doi: 10.4324/9781003510246-5

From Neurolaw to Neurorights: The Impact of Neuroscience on Dutch Criminal Justice and Considerations about the Future

Abstract

Publication series

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Embargoed Document

Fingerprint

Cite this