Hasanuddin Law Review
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 3, DECEMBER 2024

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied: A Critical Examination of Repeated Suspect Status in Indonesia

Susilo, Erwin (Unknown)
Din, Mohd. (Unknown)
Suhaimi, Suhaimi (Unknown)
Mansur, Teuku Muttaqin (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Dec 2024

Abstract

The Indonesian criminal justice system faces critical issues with the repeated designation of individuals as suspects, which compromises legal certainty and the protection of human rights. This study provides a critical analysis of the procedural and ethical consequences of repeated suspect designations within the framework of Indonesia's Criminal Procedure Code. This study employs a doctrinal legal research methodology, incorporating statute, case and conceptual approaches. The results show that pretrial judges assess the validity of suspect designations based on procedural and formal principles. Their authority is confined to reviewing formal aspects. These limitations underscore that pretrial proceedings focus solely on administrative and procedural compliance rather than the substantive merits of the case. This formalist perspective follows civil procedural principles, emphasizing procedural correctness over material truth. While pretrial judges can annul a suspect designation, investigators can re-designate the person as a suspect if new evidence is presented. Such a reform would ensure a more balanced relationship between judicial oversight and investigative authority, minimizing arbitrary practices and enhancing procedural fairness. However, the recurring practice of re-designating suspects raises a significant flaw in the system, undermining legal certainty and eroding public trust.

Copyrights © 2024






Journal Info

Abbrev

halrev

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Hasanuddin Law Review (Hasanuddin Law Rev. - HALREV) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Faculty of Law, Hasanuddin University. HALREV published three times a year in April, August, and December. This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research ...