Implementation of Legal Aid in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia
Keywords:
legal aid, criminal justice system, access to justice, equality before the law, human rightsAbstract
Legal aid constitutes a constitutional right of citizens and represents an essential mechanism to guarantee equal access to justice within the Indonesian criminal justice system. This article seeks to provide a critical and comprehensive examination of the concept, normative foundation, and practical implementation of legal aid in Indonesia. Anchored in Law Number 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid, the provision of assistance is intended to ensure that economically disadvantaged groups are not deprived of their fundamental rights in the criminal process. The juridical framework affirms the principle of equality before the law and positions legal aid as a safeguard against potential miscarriages of justice. In the Indonesian criminal justice system, legal assistance is a crucial tool for ensuring equal access to justice and is a constitutional entitlement of citizens. The goal of this essay is to present a thorough and critical analysis of the idea, legislative framework, and actual use of legal aid in Indonesia. The access of assistance which is anchored in Law Number 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid, is to guarantee that economically disadvantaged groups do not lose their fundamental rights during the criminal justice system. Legal assistance is positioned as a shield against potential injustices and the legal system upholds the idea of equality before the law. Advocates and recognized legal aid groups that work through the processes of investigation, prosecution, adjudication, and correctional measures are involved in the actualization of legal aid in practice. The implementation of legal aid nevertheless faces structural obstacles, such as insufficient state funding, an unequal geographic distribution of legal aid providers, and the public's continued lack of legal awareness, even in spite of its constitutional status and statutory regulation. These difficulties highlight how important it is for governmental organizations, law enforcement, civil society, and legal experts to work together, strengthen their institutions, and allocate funds appropriately. This essay makes the case that the successful institutionalization of legal assistance is essential for maintaining human rights as well as enhancing the legitimacy and trustworthiness of Indonesia's criminal justice system.
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