Position and Implications of the Judge's Pardon Decision (Rechterlijk Pardon) in the Criminal Code System and the New Criminal Code: A Normative Study Based on SEMA Number 1 of 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33751/palar.v12i2.94Abstract
The evolution of Indonesian criminal law reflects a significant paradigm shift in sentencing, transitioning from a retributive framework toward a more humane and substantive justice-oriented approach. A pivotal manifestation of this reform is the codification of judicial pardon (Rechterlijk Pardon) under Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP), which empowers judges to withhold criminal sanctions from a defendant proven guilty, subject to specific equitable considerations. This study aims to analyze the legal standing of Rechterlijk Pardon within the sentencing architecture of the new Criminal Code (KUHP) and the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), examine its regulatory framework and application under Supreme Court Circular (SEMA) Number 1 of 2026, and assess its juridical implications for the overarching objectives of punishment. Employing a normative legal research methodology, this study utilizes statutory, conceptual, and case-based approaches. The findings indicate that Rechterlijk Pardon serves as an instrument of sentencing flexibility that reinforces the realization of substantive justice. The novelty of this research lies in its critical analysis of the interplay between the normative provisions of the new KUHP and their operationalization through SEMA Number 1 of 2026, which serves to circumscribe judicial discretion while ensuring systemic consistency across the national criminal justice apparatus.
Keywords: Judicial Pardon (Rechterlijk Pardon), Criminal Law, New Penal Code, New Criminal Procedure Code.
References
A. Legislation – Invitations
Article 246 of the Criminal Procedure Code Number 20 of 2025
Article 51 of the Criminal Code Number 1 of 2023
Article 54 Paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code Number 1 of 2023
Supreme Court Circular Letter Number 1 of 2026
B. Journal
Alfret Alfret and Mardian Putra Frans, "The Concept of a Pardon Decision by a Judge (Rechterlijk Pardon) as a New Type of Decision in the Criminal Code," Krtha Bhayangkara 17, no. 3 (2023): 587–600, https://doi.org/10.31599/krtha.v17i3.2968.
Annisa Dian Permata Herista and Aristo Evandy A. Barlian, "Rechterlijk Pardon in Indonesian Criminal Policy and Application," Legal Institutions 15, no. 2 (2020): 132–42, https://doi.org/10.36448/pranatahukum.v15i2.225.
Criminal Code,” Jambe Law Journal 6, no. 1 (2023): 85–102, https://doi.org/10.22437/jlj.6.1.85-102.
Dandi Jayusman, Dita Gusnawati, and Muhammad Fathi, "Judicial Pardon: Between Abuse of Pardon Power and Criminal Law Reform," Justitia and Pax 40, no. 2 (2024): 331–60, https://doi.org/10.24002/jep.v40i2.8574.
Herista and A. Barlian, "Rechterlijk Pardon in Indonesian Criminal Policy and Application."
Iryanto Irvan Jaya Rifka Alkhilyatul Ma'rifat, I Made Suraharta, "JUDICIAL PARDON: A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE" 2, no. 1 (2024): 306–12.
JAUHARI D. KUSUMA, B. FARHANA KURNIA LESTARI, and JUNI PUSPITA DEWI, "Comparative Juridical Analysis of Judicial Pardon in Law No. 1 of 1946 concerning Regulations on Criminal Law with Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code," Ganec Swara 19, no. 1 (2025): 461–69, https://doi.org/10.59896/gara.v19i1.238.
Padlilah Padlilah et al., “Reevaluation and Reorientation of the Philosophy of Retributive Justice to Restorative Justice in Imposing Criminal Sanctions,” La Sociale newspaper 4, no. 2 (2023): 45–51, https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v4i2.786.
Tagor Hutapea, Zulkarnein Koto, and Syafruddin Syafruddin, "Police Policy in an Effort to Effectively Implement the New Criminal Law Concept in Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code," Journal of Police Science 18, no. 1 (2024).
Tengku Mabar Ali, Yopiza Yopiza, and Putri Ramadhani Rangkuti, “Forgiving of the Victim and/or Family Towards the Perpetrator As a Consideration in Imposing Criminal and Punishment According To the Law Number 1 of 2023 Concerning the Criminal Code,” RECTUM JOURNAL: A Juridical Review of Criminal Handling 5, no. 1 (2023): 1037, https://doi.org/10.46930/jurnalrectum.v5i1.2901.
C. Books
Barda Nawawie Arief, Purpose and Guidelines for Criminalization, (Semarang, Diponegoro University Publishing Agency, Hal, 43, 2009.
D. Internet
https://marinews.mahkamahagung.go.id/berita/hakim-pn-sungailiat-perdana-jatuhkan-putusan-pemaafan-hakim-0Np accessed on Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 20:40
https://marinews.mahkamahagung.go.id/berita/perdana-pn-banjarnegara-jatuhkan-putusan-pemaafan-hakim-0Vb accessed on Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 20:40
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