New research from the Netherlands Institute for Scientific Research and Data Analysis (WODC) indicates individuals with lower education levels, unemployment, or unstable housing situations receive, on average, more severe punishments within the Dutch justice system. The studies reveal that seemingly minor decisions made by police, prosecutors, and judges accumulate, resulting in significant disparities in sentencing. These differences extend beyond the severity of penalties, impacting how cases are processed and at which stage of the legal process interventions occur. Individuals with stronger socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to have their cases resolved outside of court, through fines or community service, while those with weaker backgrounds are more frequently brought before a judge. The further a case progresses through the system – from police to prosecutor to judge – the greater the likelihood of a harsher sentence. This leads to systematically less favorable outcomes for those with disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances, according to the WODC. While previous research highlighted the influence of ethnic background, these studies emphasize the significant role of employment and education levels in sentencing outcomes.