The Finality of Acquittal in Indonesian Criminal Procedure Law
Keywords:
finality of acquittal, legal remedies, transitional provisions, comparative law, human rights protectionAbstract
This study examines the finality of acquittal in Indonesian criminal procedure law following the enactment of the new Criminal Procedure Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Acara Pidana). An acquittal or vrijspraak is a verdict rendered when the public prosecutor fails to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This study aims to analyze the regulation of acquittal, its implications for legal remedies, and the transitional provisions governing cases during the period of legal transition. Employing normative legal research methodology with statutory, conceptual, and comparative law approaches, this study finds that the new Criminal Procedure Code introduces a paradigm shift by placing acquittal as a final decision that cannot be challenged through appeal or cassation, as reflected in Article 244 paragraph (4) and Article 299 paragraph (2). This study recommends the necessity of normative reinforcement through the revision of Article 244 of the new Criminal Procedure Code by explicitly incorporating a clause prohibiting appeal, as well as the active role of the Supreme Court in establishing consistent and binding interpretations through Supreme Court Regulations or jurisprudence, in order to ensure legal certainty and the just protection of defendants' rights.
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