Criminal Law & Criminology

Dr. Robin Hofmann

About

Dr. Robin Hofmann is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology at Maastricht University, He is specialized in organized crime, drug policies, and cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies. During his international career he has implemented several research projects and conducted field-work in challengeing environments like the Kosovo. He regularly comments on current developments in the field of organized crime in the media and is a guest speaker at universities and other institutions.

A trained German lawyer and sociologist, Dr. Hofmann earned his PhD in Law in 2016. His professional experience includes roles as a legal trainee with the German Prosecution Service, the German Foreign Office, and the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (UNICTY) in The Hague. He has also been a visiting researcher at the University of Oslo and provides expert advice on cannabis regulation to the German government and across Europe.

Visit him on LinkedIn and find all his publications here

+++ New Book+++

The Regulation of Cannabis in Europe – Of Highs and Laws

ISBN 9781032822037
120 Pages

Published March 19, 2025 by Routledge

Click here for a preview and content

Changing attitudes towards cannabis across Europe are challenging old convictions of drug prohibition and making space for new approaches to the drug. This book delves into the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation across Europe and the world. Starting with Germany’s push for full legalization, the work highlights the hurdles faced by policymakers, offering a detailed analysis of the international and European frameworks that restrict drug policy reform and discussing potential loopholes to avoid them. The case of Germany and its struggle with cannabis reform serves as a valuable blueprint with guidance for other states considering implementing more progressive approaches to drugs. The volume explores the complexities of cannabis regulation in a concise and approachable way, targeting not only legal professionals but also policymakers and readers with an interest in the societal dynamics of drug policy reforms and how these are shaped by the European Union and international law. The book will be of interest to a broad audience that includes legal scholars and practitioners; students of criminology, international law, and European law; and those with an interest in EU security and health policies.

News

An interview in the ZDF about the activities of the Dutch Mocro-Maffia in Germany.

A short statement in the ARD tagesschau on the thread of organized crime.

An Interview with ZDF Heute on the dangers of the Dutch Mocro- Maffia for security in Germany   

Click here for the video

Presentations

12.2.2026 | The Criminalization of Drugs, Leiden Law School

21.3.2025 | Organized Crime from an International Perspective, Schloss Gimborn

13.1.2025 | Die niederländische Mocro Mafia, LKA Düsseldorf

21.11.2024 | International Forum for Sustainable Cannabis Regulation, Schloss Lübbenau

1.9.2024 | Maastricht University – Will Cannabis soon be legal within the EU? 

7.10.2023 | CDU Düsseldorf – Fachtagung Cannabis

22.6.2023 | Uni Leiden – Criminalisation and its limits: Drug Offences

4.5.2023 | Uni Giessen – Wie die organsierte Kriminalität unsere freie Gesellschaft bedroht

20.4.2023 | Maastricht University – Europes’ Cannabis Dilemma: The risks of legalization and how it can be done right

16.11.2022 | BKA Herbsttagung: Schwere und Organiserte Kriminalität als Bedrohung für den Staat. Wiesbaden

In the Media

Expertise & Research Interests

Cross-Border Cooperation

Crime has become increasingly transnational. Especially organized criminals exploit state borders for illicit activities. Law enforcement agencies often lack behind these developments and legal cooperation across state borders is full of frictions. How can we improve law enforcement cooperation across state borders to fight crime? 

Organized Crime

Organized criminals are increasingly active in many european states. The mocro-mafia in the Netherlands or criminal family clans in Germany – these networks pose enourmous challenges for law enforcement agencies. How can we better monitor organized crime and implement more effective crime policies within Europe?  

Cannabis Policies

Cannabis prohibition has become under pressure worldwide. More and more countries (incl. Germany) set out to legalize the soft drug for recreational purposes. But international and european law still focused on a criminal justice approach. How can the legal regime be changed to keep pace with new developments while at the same time minmizing health, security and crime risks?

Publications

Robin Hofmann has published about different topics within criminology and criminal law, both in German and English. 

Scientific Articles
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Books & Chapters
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Blog Posts & Reports
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EU Research Projects
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