A Comparison of Legal Aid Systems for Suspects in Several Countries: Implications for Indonesia

Khairul Fadli Rambe

Abstract


Looking at the criminal justice system in Indonesia through the lens of the rights of the accused reveals the irony of unequal access to legal aid, which should be an essential right. A bitter reality that states, especially for marginalized communities and those with economic limitations, often goes unnoticed. Ideally, the right to legal defense, which should be available to everyone, has become mere rhetoric since the start of the legal process. This article aims to analyze and compare the legal aid systems for suspects in Indonesia, the United States and the United Kingdom in order to identify potential improvements to the legal aid system in Indonesia by adopting good practices from other countries, while taking into account the Indonesian legal and socio-cultural context. This research uses a normative juridical method, which places the main focus on a comprehensive analysis of the relevant laws and regulations, including both the legal framework in Indonesia and the applicable regulations in other countries that are the focus of comparison, namely the United States and the United Kingdom. The results of this research firmly underline the crucial role of legal aid for suspects in realizing fair criminal justice and respect for human rights. Learning from the practices of other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom is important. The US with its adversary system emphasizing process justice, and the UK with its tradition of inclusive legal aid. These are valuable offerings for the Indonesian judiciary to consider and adapt to the legal and socio-cultural context in strengthening the national legal aid system. 

Keywords


Criminal Procedure Law; Legal Aid; Suspect Rights; KUHP; Indonesian

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