straflicht

Straflicht is not a formal term in Dutch criminal law. The word itself literally combines straf (punishment) and licht (light), but there is no recognized legal category or procedure by that name in the Dutch penal code. In official legal language, concepts such as strafmaat (the sentence or penalty) and the distinction between lichte straf (a light sentence) are used instead.

In practice, straflicht appears mainly as a colloquial or rhetorical expression in media and public debate. It is sometimes employed to convey the idea of a lenient or insufficient punishment for a given offense, rather than to denote a specific legal provision. Because it is not an established term, its meaning can vary with context and is not defined in statutory texts.

The term should be distinguished from related legal concepts. Strafrecht refers to criminal law in general, while strafmaat concerns the severity of the punishment prescribed or imposed. Lichte straf is the conventional term for a mild penalty, which is a defined concept within sentencing practice. As a result, straflicht functions more as a figurative or journalistic label than as a precise legal category.

Etymology follows its literal meaning: straf (punishment) plus licht (light). The expression is primarily encountered in informal discourse rather than as a technical legal term. See also strafrecht, strafmaat, lichte straf.