THE CONCEPT OF LEGAL JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AS PERPETRATORS OF CRIMINAL ACTS OF NARCOTICS DISTRIBUTION (A Study of Decisions of The Medan District Court)
A. The Concept of Legal Justice for Children as Perpetrators of Narcotics Trafficking Crimes, B. The Implementation of Legal Justice for Children as Perpetrators of Narcotics Trafficking Offenses in the Decisions of the Medan District Court, C. Obstacles in the Implementation of Legal Justice for Children as Perpetrators of Narcotics Trafficking Offenses.
Keywords:
Narcotics, Child Protection, Juvenile Criminal Justice System, Legal Justice, Narcotics TraffickingAbstract
This study examines the concept and implementation of legal justice for children involved in narcotics trafficking offenses within the Indonesian juvenile criminal justice system. Narcotics possess legitimate medical and scientific functions; however, their abuse and illegal distribution have resulted in serious social consequences, including the involvement of children as couriers or intermediaries in narcotics distribution networks. Children involved in such cases are generally not principal offenders, but rather victims of criminal exploitation, thereby requiring special legal protection based on the principle of the best interests of the child and restorative justice mechanisms. This research applies a normative legal research method through statutory and case approaches using descriptive-qualitative analysis. The findings reveal significant disparities in sentencing practices in several decisions of the Medan District Court involving children convicted of narcotics trafficking offenses. Despite similarities in the type of offense, category of narcotics, and quantity distributed, the punishments imposed varied considerably. The study concludes that judicial discretion, prosecutors’ indictments, subjective judicial considerations, and limited rehabilitation facilities remain dominant factors influencing court decisions. Therefore, strengthening juvenile justice regulations, improving law enforcement capacity, and providing adequate rehabilitation facilities are necessary to ensure optimal child protection and sustainable social reintegration.
Downloads
References
Anwar, M. (2019). Legal protection for children as perpetrators of narcotics crimes within the juvenile criminal justice system. SyiarHukum: Journal of Legal Studies, 17(1), 53.
Apanda, E., &Azizah, N. (2023). Legal protection for victims of sexual harassment on social media from the perspective of Islamic criminal law. ISTINBATH: Journal of Law, 20(2), 127.
Harahap, S. H. (2024). Law enforcement against perpetrators of child exploitation through social media. Legal Standing: Journal of Legal Science, 8(2), 402.
Hurairah, et al. (2025). The impact of sentencing on children in conflict with the law who commit narcotics crimes. JurnalIlmiahKutei, 24(2), 199.
Indonesia. (2009). Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics. State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia. (2012). Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia. (2014). Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection. State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia.
Lubis, M. T. S. (2020). Sentencing system for child narcotics dealers through training punishment. EduTech Journal, 6(1), 27.
Lubis, S. A., &Mukhsin, A. (2025). The qualification of jarimahta’zir for child exploitation: A case study of forced labor at the MuaraParlampungan gold mine. SIGn Journal of Law, 7(2), 713.
Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (2019). Al-Qur’an dan Terjemahannya. Jakarta: Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur’an.
Nasution, R. A., & Sari, S. M. (2025). Law enforcement against children as criminal perpetrators in PercutSei Tuan from the perspective of criminal law and Islamic criminal law. Journal AnalyticaIslamica, 14(2), 1534.
Nugroho, B., &Susilo, D. (2018). Problems of law enforcement in narcotics abuse crimes within the jurisdiction of Surabaya City. Justitia Law Journal, 2(2), 234.
Setiawan, A., &Sumaryanto, D. (2022). Protection for children in conflict with the law. DEKRIT Journal of Master of Legal Studies, 12(1), 41.
Utami, S., &Zulkarnain. (2025). Implementation of criminal sanctions against child victims of narcotics abuse: A case study at LPKA Class I Medan. Pelita Law Journal, 3(2), 289.
