The lack of clear regulation in the law

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 93 views

Criminal Law Policy against Children as Recurring Criminal Acts (Recidivists) in Terms of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection

The Need for Effective Criminal Law Policy in Protecting Children

The criminal system for children today is still unable to provide the justice they should receive. Based on the Criminal Code (Kuhpidana), Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the System of the Children's Justice (Law SPA), and Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, the application of this law has not been maximized in guaranteeing rights and future Children, both as perpetrators of criminal acts and as victims. The phenomenon of increasing the number of children involved in legal cases, even as recidivists, is an important issue that needs to be discussed. In the case study of the Surakarta District Court Decision with Number 02/Pid.Sus.ak/2014/PN.SKT, a child was sentenced to severe as a recidivist in narcotics cases, which raises the question of whether the law is truly able to provide certainty, justice, and benefits for children.

Problematics of Children's Criminal Systems

The issue of children's criminal systems as recidivists is a complex one. Based on the decision, there are several issues that arise related to the child's criminal system as a recidivist. First, what exactly is the criminal system applied to children who have repeatedly committed criminal acts? Is the current legal policy effective in preventing children from becoming recidivists, and how the judge's consideration in the decision can provide justice for children? The lack of clear regulation in the law is a major concern, as it can lead to inconsistent and unfair treatment of children.

This study uses normative legal methods with an analytical approach to analyze existing cases. In the analysis, it was found that legal protection for children as recidivists based on the Criminal Code and the SPA Law was not clearly regulated. Article 7 of the SPA Law states that children who are recidivists are not given options for diversion, while Article 488 of the Criminal Code stated that the sentence for recidivists was added by a third of the sentence handed down. This lack of clear regulation can lead to confusion and inconsistency in the application of the law.

The Importance of Balancing Punishment and Rehabilitation

To tackle this problem, there need to be two types of policies, namely criminal policy (penal policy) and non-pidana (non-palan policy). Criminal policy focuses on the formation of good law for children, which involve lawmakers, law enforcers, and the community. Meanwhile, non-PIDANA policies focus more on preventing the social impact of crime, where prison sentences must be the last attempt. The importance of a balance between prison sentences and rehabilitative actions (treatment) in overcoming children as recidivists is the main spotlight.

In the context of the decision number 02/Pid.Sus.ak/2014/PN.SKT, it is necessary to review the legal approach used, so as not to simply impose punishment, but rather to provide opportunities for improvement for children. The concept of a two-path system (double track system) needs to be applied, where prison sentences and rehabilitative sanctions can go hand in hand proportionally. This approach can provide a more effective and fair way of dealing with children who have committed crimes.

Policy Revision and Valuation

Seeing this fact, the SPA Law and the Child Protection Act need to be revised to change the sentence approach to children. The punishment given should prioritize improvement, not torture. This is in line with the principles of child protection, which emphasize the need to provide a safe and supportive environment for children. The community also has a role to play in creating an environment that supports improvement for children.

Thus, it is expected that more human legal policies can be implemented, provide better protection for children, and encourage them not to repeat the same mistakes. This is not only the responsibility of the legal system, but also the community to participate in creating an environment that supports improvement for children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of children's criminal systems as recidivists is a complex one that requires a comprehensive approach. The need for effective criminal law policy in protecting children is essential. The current legal policy has not been maximized in guaranteeing rights and future Children, both as perpetrators of criminal acts and as victims. The concept of a two-path system (double track system) needs to be applied, where prison sentences and rehabilitative sanctions can go hand in hand proportionally. This approach can provide a more effective and fair way of dealing with children who have committed crimes.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The SPA Law and the Child Protection Act need to be revised to change the sentence approach to children.
The punishment given should prioritize improvement, not torture.
The community also has a role to play in creating an environment that supports improvement for children.
The concept of a two-path system (double track system) needs to be applied, where prison sentences and rehabilitative sanctions can go hand in hand proportionally.

By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that more human legal policies can be implemented, provide better protection for children, and encourage them not to repeat the same mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Criminal Law Policy against Children as Recurring Criminal Acts (Recidivists)

Q: What is the current state of the criminal system for children in Indonesia?

A: The criminal system for children today is still unable to provide the justice they should receive. Based on the Criminal Code (Kuhpidana), Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the System of the Children's Justice (Law SPA), and Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, the application of this law has not been maximized in guaranteeing rights and future Children, both as perpetrators of criminal acts and as victims.

Q: What is the problem with the current legal policy in dealing with children as recidivists?

A: The current legal policy has not been effective in preventing children from becoming recidivists. Article 7 of the SPA Law states that children who are recidivists are not given options for diversion, while Article 488 of the Criminal Code stated that the sentence for recidivists was added by a third of the sentence handed down. This lack of clear regulation can lead to confusion and inconsistency in the application of the law.

Q: What is the importance of balancing punishment and rehabilitation in dealing with children as recidivists?

A: The importance of a balance between prison sentences and rehabilitative actions (treatment) in overcoming children as recidivists is the main spotlight. Criminal policy focuses on the formation of good law for children, which involve lawmakers, law enforcers, and the community. Meanwhile, non-PIDANA policies focus more on preventing the social impact of crime, where prison sentences must be the last attempt.

Q: What is the concept of a two-path system (double track system) in dealing with children as recidivists?

A: The concept of a two-path system (double track system) needs to be applied, where prison sentences and rehabilitative sanctions can go hand in hand proportionally. This approach can provide a more effective and fair way of dealing with children who have committed crimes.

Q: What are the recommendations for improving the criminal law policy against children as recidivists?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The SPA Law and the Child Protection Act need to be revised to change the sentence approach to children.
The punishment given should prioritize improvement, not torture.
The community also has a role to play in creating an environment that supports improvement for children.
The concept of a two-path system (double track system) needs to be applied, where prison sentences and rehabilitative sanctions can go hand in hand proportionally.

Q: What is the expected outcome of implementing these recommendations?

A: By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that more human legal policies can be implemented, provide better protection for children, and encourage them not to repeat the same mistakes.

Q: Who is responsible for implementing these recommendations?

A: The responsibility of implementing these recommendations lies with the government, law enforcement agencies, and the community. The government needs to revise the SPA Law and the Child Protection Act, while law enforcement agencies need to apply the concept of a two-path system (double track system) in dealing with children as recidivists. The community also has a role to play in creating an environment that supports improvement for children.

Q: What is the significance of this study in dealing with children as recidivists?

A: This study highlights the importance of effective criminal law policy in protecting children. The current legal policy has not been maximized in guaranteeing rights and future Children, both as perpetrators of criminal acts and as victims. The study provides recommendations for improving the criminal law policy against children as recidivists, which can lead to a more effective and fair way of dealing with children who have committed crimes.