THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN HANDLING ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES
Abstract
This study analyzes the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in handling environmental crimes in Indonesia by combining a normative legal review with empirical findings from the field. Using a qualitative juridical-empirical method, data were collected through interviews with judges, prosecutors, police investigators, and officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), as well as from the analysis of court decisions related to environmental crime cases in Palembang, Pekanbaru, and Samarinda. The findings reveal that the effectiveness of criminal justice in addressing environmental crimes remains limited. Most court decisions impose relatively light sentences and rarely include restorative sanctions such as environmental rehabilitation or compensation to affected communities. The main factors hindering effectiveness include weak evidence, lack of expert witnesses, limited coordination among law enforcement institutions, and minimal understanding of ecological justice principles among judges. However, several progressive rulings indicate a gradual shift toward integrating restorative and ecological approaches into criminal adjudication. This research highlights that the success of environmental law enforcement depends not only on legal norms but also on the capacity of legal institutions and the public’s legal culture. The study contributes to the theoretical development of environmental criminal law by linking legal effectiveness with ecological justice. It also provides practical recommendations for strengthening law enforcement capacity, establishing specialized environmental courts, and promoting sustainability-oriented justice in Indonesia.
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