Evaluating the Fulfillment of Justice: Disparities in Criminal Decisions on Narcotics Offenses

Authors

  • Zayyin Sayyida Fateeh Faculty of Law, Monash University
  • Dona Febi Wardani Semarang Legal Aid Foundation
  • Kareem Muhamad Syafiqi School of Law, Universiti Utara Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31000/jhr.v13i2.15862

Abstract

This research evaluates the disparities in criminal decisions regarding narcotics offenses, specifically analyzing two decision in Temanggung District Court—Decision Number 46/Pid.Sus/2022/PN.Tmg and Decision Number 48/Pid.Sus/2021/PN.Tmg. The novelty of this study lies in its dual focus on legal inconsistencies and societal perceptions of justice, offering a comprehensive perspective on how these decisions impact public trust in the legal system. The urgency of addressing these disparities is underscored by the ongoing challenges in narcotics legislation and enforcement, particularly in light of evolving societal attitudes towards drug use and rehabilitation. By identifying factors contributing to sentencing inconsistencies, this research highlights the need for immediate reform in narcotics laws, particularly in updating Article 112 Paragraph (1) and Article 127 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009. This study is relevant not only to legal practitioners and policymakers but also to the broader community affected by narcotics laws. By examining the fulfillment of justice in these cases, the research contributes to ongoing discussions about equitable treatment in the justice system, emphasizing the importance of transparency and consistency in legal proceedings. Ultimately, this research advocates for the development of clear guidelines for judges and law enforcers, ensuring that the legal framework aligns with societal values and expectations. It aims to foster a more just legal environment for all individuals involved in narcotics offenses, thus contributing to a more equitable criminal justice system.

References

Abdurrachman, Hamidah, Eddhie Praptono, and Kus Rizkianto. "Disparitas Putusan Hakim dalam Kasus Narkoba." Pandecta Research Law Journal 7, no. 2 (2012): 215-228.

Arifia, Maria Ulfa, Binsar M. Gultom, and Markoni Markoni. "Upaya Meminimalisir Disparitas Putusan Hakim." Jurnal Syntax Transformation 4, no. 1 (2023): 15-31.

Berridge, Virginia. Demons: Our changing attitudes to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Bix, Brian. "Robert Alexy, Radbruch’s Formula, and the Nature of Legal Theory." Rechtstheorie 37, no. 2 (2006): 139-149.

Bobo, Lawrence D., and Victor Thompson. "Unfair by design: The war on drugs, race, and the legitimacy of the criminal justice system." Social Research: An International Quarterly 73, no. 2 (2006): 445-472.

Borowski, Martin. "Gustav Radbruch’s Theory of Legal Obligation." Theories of Legal Obligation. (Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2024), pp. 99-122.

Buxton, Julia. "The political economy of narcotics." The Political Economy of Narcotics (2008): 1-257.

Chandra, Tofik Yanuar, Joko Sriwidodo, and M. S. Tumanggor. "Rehabilitation of Narcotic Addictives: An Overview of Implementation and The Effort by Restorative Justice." Krtha Bhayangkara 17, no. 3 (2023): 465-480.

Cribb, Robert. "Opium and the Indonesian revolution." Modern Asian Studies 22, no. 4 (1988): 701-722.

Dainow, Joseph. "The Civil Law and the Common Law: Some Points of Comparison." The American Journal of Comparative Law 15, no. 3 (1966): 419-435.

Decision No. 46/Pid.Sus/2022/PN.Tmg, available (Bahasa Indonesia) at https://putusan3.mahkamahagung.go.id/direktori/putusan/zaed6adc6b0d0236b516313031303433.html.

Decision No.48/Pid.Sus/2021/PN.Tmg, available online (Bahasa Indonesia) at https://103.226.55.88/direktori/putusan/zaef0c41a09919508d9a313431353437.html;

Fikarlia, Fikarlia, and Jalaluddin Jalaluddin. "Disparitas Putusan Terhadap Tindak Pidana Narkotika Ditinjau dari Kepastian Hukum." Pagaruyuang Law Journal 7, no. 1 (2023): 122-135.

Fon, Vincy, and Francesco Parisi. "Judicial precedents in civil law systems: A dynamic analysis." International Review of Law and Economics 26, no. 4 (2006): 519-535.

Friedman, Lawrence M. Total Justice. (London: Russell Sage Foundation, 1985).

Gulo, Nimerodi. "Disparitas dalam Penjatuhan Pidana." Masalah-Masalah Hukum 47, no. 3 (2018): 215-227.

Guthrie, Chris, Jeffrey J. Rachlinski, and Andrew J. Wistrich. "Inside the Judicial Mind." Cornell Law Review 86 (2001).

Heiner, Ronald A. "Imperfect decisions and the law: On the evolution of legal precedent and rules." The Journal of Legal Studies 15, no. 2 (1986): 227-261.

Hornstein, Donald T. "Complexity Theory, Adaptation, and Administrative Law." Duke Law Journal 54, no. 4 (2005): 913-960.

Iswahyuni, Ari. "Kedudukan Ancaman Pidana Minimal Dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2009 Tentang Narkotika Pasca Dikeluarkannya Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung Nomor 3 Tahun 2015." Jurnal Panorama Hukum 3, no. 1 (2018): 19-32.

Johnstone, Richard, and Richard Ingleby, eds. Thinking about Law: Perspectives on the history, philosophy and sociology of law. (London: Routledge, 2020).

Kramer, Elisabeth, and Claudia Stoicescu. "An uphill battle: a case example of government policy and activist dissent on the death penalty for drug-related offences in Indonesia." International Journal of Drug Policy 92 (2021): 103265.

Kurniawan, Syigit Dony. "The Capital Punishment for Narcotic Crime: Pros and Cons in Indonesian Legal System." The Indonesian Journal of International Clinical Legal Education 2, no. 4 (2020): 393-406.

Kusumo, Sabdo. “Dasar Pertimbangan Hakim Terhadap Disparitas Suatu Putusanâ€. Thesis (Magelang: Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang, 2017).

Lukito, Ratno. Hukum Sakral dan Hukum Sekuler: Studi Tentang Konflik dan Resolusi dalam Sistem Hukum Indonesia. (Tangerang Selatan: Pustaka Alvabet, 2008).

Lyman, Michael D. Drugs in society: Causes, concepts, and control. (London: Routledge, 2016).

Lynch, Colman. "Indonesia’s Use of Capital Punishment for Drug-Trafficking Crimes: Legal Obligations, Extralegal Factors, and the Bali Nine Case." Columbia Human Rights Law Review 40, no. 2 (2009).

MacGregor, Susanne. The Politics of Drugs: Perceptions, Power and Policies. (London: Springer, 2017).

Malik, Faissal. "Basic Ideas for Determining Death Criminal Threats in Law Number 35 of 2009 On Narcotics." Ganesha Law Review 1, no. 1 (2019): 27-40.

Miller, David. Principles of Social Justice. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2001).

Niblett, Anthony. "Tracking inconsistent judicial behavior." International Review of Law and Economics 34 (2013): 9-20.

Pasaribu, Restiana. "Fight Narcotics with Community Strengthening: Crime Control Management by Community Policing." Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 3, no. 2 (2018): 237-252.

Paulson, Stanley L. "Radbruch on Unjust Laws: Competing Earlier and Later Views?." Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 15, no. 3 (1995): 489-500.

Posner, Richard A. "What do judges and justices maximize? (The same thing everybody else does)." Supreme Court Economic Review 3 (1993): 1-41.

Posner, Richard A. How Judges Think. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2010).

Pratiwi, Yayi Intan, Murat Kubilay Cengiz, and Aymen Mouhin. "Cannabis Regulation: A Comparative Study in Indonesia, Turkey, and Morocco." Kosmik Hukum 23, no. 1 (2023): 103-114.

Putra, AA Ngr Rai Anjasmara, I. Made Sepud, and I. Nyoman Sujana. "Disparitas Putusan Hakim dalam Tindak Pidana Narkotika." Jurnal Analogi Hukum 2, no. 2 (2020): 129-135.

Putri, Mikha Dewiyanti, Prih Utami, and Teddy Cipta Lesmana. "The Implementation of Rehabilitation Assessment as Legal Protection for Narcotics Abusers in Indonesia." Jurnal Dinamika Hukum 22, no. 1 (2022): 154-167.

Rachman, Asep Iswahyudi, and Sri Kusriyah. "Law Enforcement of Narcotics Laws." Law Development Journal 2, no. 2 (2020): 139-145.

Radbruch, Gustav. "Five minutes of legal philosophy (1945)." Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 26, No. 1 (2006): 13-15.

Radbruch, Gustav. "II. LEGAL PHILOSOPHY." The legal philosophies of Lask, Radbruch, and Dabin. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1950), pp. 43-224.

Salam, Malik Abdus, and Tri Nurmega Oktarina. "Alternative Model of Settlement of Narcotics Abuse by Children through Diversion (Case Study in Sambas District)." Jurnal Scientia Indonesia 5, no. 1 (2019): 60-74.

Samosir, Samuel. "Penerapan SEMA Nomor 3 Tahun 2015 dalam Pembuatan Putusan Pidana Bagi Pelaku Penyalahguna Narkotika." Hukmy: Jurnal Hukum 2, no. 2 (2022): 139-152.

Singer, Merrill. Drugging the poor: Legal and illegal drugs and social inequality. (Long Grove, Illinois, United States: Waveland Press, 2007).

Situmeang, Sahat Maruli T. "Norm Reformulation and Reconstruction of Narcotics Abuser in Indonesia Criminal Justice System." International Conference on Law, Economics and Health (ICLEH 2020). Atlantis Press, 2020.

Spaak, Torben. "Meta-ethics and legal theory: The case of Gustav Radbruch." Law and Philosophy 28, no. 3 (2009): 261-290.

Sumantri, Rachmat. “Implementasi Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung (SEMA) Nomor 4 Tahun 2010 Bagi Hakim dalam Memutus Perkara Narkotikaâ€. Thesis. (Jakarta: Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, 2022).

Twining, William. "Diffusion of law: a global perspective." The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law 36, no. 49 (2004): 1-45.

Tyler, Tom R. Why People Obey the Law. (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2006).

Wibowo, Arief, I. Made Minggu Widyantara, and Ni Made Sukaryati Karma. "Pelaksanaan SEMA 4 Tahun 2010 Bagi Pelaku Penyalahgunaan Narkotika dalam Penyidikan Kepolisian." Jurnal Analogi Hukum 1, no. 1 (2019): 34-39.

Yustina, Endang Wahyati, et al. "Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Indonesia from the Human Rights Perspectives: Lessons Learned from Three ASEAN Countries." The Lex Scientia Law Review 7, no. 2 (2023): 569-628.

Zulfikar, Andri. "Formulation of Judges' Rulings Below the Special Minimum on Narcotics Cases to Bring About Justice." Journal of Social Research 2, no. 4 (2023): 1066-1073.

Published

2025-11-30

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Jurnal Hukum Replik

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Copyright of the published articles will be transferred to the journal as the publisher of the manuscripts. Therefore, the author confirms that the copyright has been managed by the publisher.
  2. The publisher of JHR (Jurnal Hukum Replik) is Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang
  3. The copyright follows Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.