Right to be accompanied by a lawyer

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 97 views

The Rights of the Suspect in Obtaining Legal Assistance: A Review of the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 Concerning Legal Aid

Introduction

In the context of the Indonesian legal system, it is essential to understand the rights possessed by a suspect, especially the right to obtain legal assistance. This study aims to explain how the Criminal Code (KUHP) and Law No. 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid regulate the rights of suspects in obtaining legal assistance. The method used in this study is normative juridical with an analytical descriptive approach, by utilizing the theory of legal goals.

The Regulation of the Rights of the Suspect in the Criminal Code

The Criminal Code regulates the rights of the suspect to obtain legal assistance through the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) stipulated in Articles 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65 to Article 72. This right gives certainty that every individual who faces criminal law issues is entitled to be accompanied by legal advisers. In this context, advocates have an important role to protect the rights of the suspect and ensure that the legal process runs fairly.

The Criminal Code emphasizes the importance of legal assistance in the following ways:

Right to be accompanied by a lawyer: Article 54 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to be accompanied by a lawyer during the investigation and trial process.
Right to legal representation: Article 56 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to be represented by a lawyer during the investigation and trial process.
Right to access to legal documents: Article 57 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to access to legal documents related to their case.
Right to be informed of their rights: Article 59 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to be informed of their rights and the charges against them.
Right to a fair trial: Article 60 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be heard and to present evidence.
Right to appeal: Article 62 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to appeal a decision made against them.
Right to access to legal aid: Article 64 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to access to legal aid, which includes the right to be represented by a lawyer and to access to legal documents.
Right to be treated with dignity: Article 65 of the Criminal Code states that a suspect has the right to be treated with dignity and respect during the investigation and trial process.

Legal Assistance for Unable Groups

Meanwhile, Law No. 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid emphasizes the need to provide legal assistance to poor people. In Article 1 of this Law, it is regulated that the recipients of legal assistance are people who are classified as poor or are in a group of poor people. Article 12 also explains further regarding the rights of recipients of legal assistance which includes several important aspects in the judicial process.

The Law No. 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid provides the following rights to poor people:

Right to access to legal aid: Article 1 of the Law states that poor people have the right to access to legal aid, which includes the right to be represented by a lawyer and to access to legal documents.
Right to be treated with dignity: Article 12 of the Law states that poor people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect during the investigation and trial process.
Right to a fair trial: Article 12 of the Law states that poor people have the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be heard and to present evidence.
Right to appeal: Article 12 of the Law states that poor people have the right to appeal a decision made against them.

Synergy between the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011

Synergy between the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 can be seen in the common view of the role of advocates who provide legal assistance to individuals who face legal problems. The Criminal Code regulates the role of advocates in articles 54, 55, 56, and 114, while Law No. 18 of 2003 concerning Advocacy emphasizes this in Articles 1 and 2. This shows that both the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 agreed in providing access to fair and equitable legal assistance.

The synergy between the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 can be seen in the following ways:

Common view of the role of advocates: Both the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 emphasize the importance of advocates in providing legal assistance to individuals who face legal problems.
Right to access to legal aid: Both the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 provide the right to access to legal aid, which includes the right to be represented by a lawyer and to access to legal documents.
Right to a fair trial: Both the Criminal Code and Law No. 16 of 2011 provide the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be heard and to present evidence.

Conclusion

The results showed that the suspect's right to obtain legal assistance lies in the presence of legal advisors who accompanied them. Legal assistance is mainly aimed at the poor who are financially unable to access legal services. In this case, advocates play an important role in providing legal protection and representation for every individual involved in the justice system. Thus, the synergy between Law No. 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid with the Criminal Code underlines the importance of providing free legal assistance to those who really need it, so that justice can be upheld better in society.

Through a deeper understanding of the rights of suspects and the role of advocates in the legal system, we can contribute to improving the quality of justice in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Rights of the Suspect in Obtaining Legal Assistance

Q: What is the right to legal assistance in the Indonesian legal system?

A: The right to legal assistance in the Indonesian legal system is the right of a suspect to be accompanied by a lawyer during the investigation and trial process. This right is regulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP) and Law No. 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid.

Q: Who is entitled to legal assistance in Indonesia?

A: In Indonesia, anyone who is facing criminal law issues is entitled to legal assistance. This includes suspects, defendants, and even victims of crimes.

Q: What are the rights of a suspect in obtaining legal assistance?

A: The rights of a suspect in obtaining legal assistance include:

Right to be accompanied by a lawyer: A suspect has the right to be accompanied by a lawyer during the investigation and trial process.
Right to legal representation: A suspect has the right to be represented by a lawyer during the investigation and trial process.
Right to access to legal documents: A suspect has the right to access to legal documents related to their case.
Right to be informed of their rights: A suspect has the right to be informed of their rights and the charges against them.
Right to a fair trial: A suspect has the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be heard and to present evidence.
Right to appeal: A suspect has the right to appeal a decision made against them.
Right to access to legal aid: A suspect has the right to access to legal aid, which includes the right to be represented by a lawyer and to access to legal documents.
Right to be treated with dignity: A suspect has the right to be treated with dignity and respect during the investigation and trial process.

Q: What is the role of advocates in providing legal assistance in Indonesia?

A: Advocates play an important role in providing legal assistance in Indonesia. They are responsible for representing clients in court, providing legal advice, and ensuring that their clients' rights are protected.

Q: How can a suspect access legal assistance in Indonesia?

A: A suspect can access legal assistance in Indonesia by:

Contacting a lawyer: A suspect can contact a lawyer to represent them in court.
Applying for legal aid: A suspect can apply for legal aid through the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
Seeking assistance from a legal aid organization: A suspect can seek assistance from a legal aid organization, such as the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

Q: What are the benefits of legal assistance in Indonesia?

A: The benefits of legal assistance in Indonesia include:

Protection of rights: Legal assistance helps to protect the rights of suspects and defendants.
Access to justice: Legal assistance provides access to justice for those who may not have the means to afford a lawyer.
Fair trial: Legal assistance ensures that suspects and defendants receive a fair trial.

Q: What are the challenges of legal assistance in Indonesia?

A: The challenges of legal assistance in Indonesia include:

Limited access to legal aid: Many people in Indonesia do not have access to legal aid due to financial constraints.
Limited availability of lawyers: There is a shortage of lawyers in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas.
Corruption: Corruption is a significant challenge in the Indonesian legal system, and can affect the quality of legal assistance.

Q: How can the quality of legal assistance in Indonesia be improved?

A: The quality of legal assistance in Indonesia can be improved by:

Increasing access to legal aid: Increasing access to legal aid can help to ensure that more people have access to legal assistance.
Improving the availability of lawyers: Improving the availability of lawyers can help to ensure that more people have access to legal assistance.
Reducing corruption: Reducing corruption can help to improve the quality of legal assistance in Indonesia.