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This research analyzes the application of the equality before the law principle in handling narcotics cases by the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Legundi Surabaya. The principle of equality before the law is a fundamental principle guaranteed in Article 27 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, yet its implementation in narcotics law enforcement still faces various challenges. This study employs a normative juridical method with a qualitative approach to examine LBH Legundi's strategies in ensuring clients fully obtain their constitutional rights. The findings reveal that although LBH Legundi has implemented various strategies such as detailed examination of arrest procedures, optimization of legal instruments, and efforts for detention suspension, the application of the equality before the law principle remains hindered by several factors. The main challenges include strong social stigma against narcotics offenders, limited resources of legal aid institutions, disparities in judicial decisions, structural barriers in accessing justice, weak supervision systems, minimal systemic support from the state, and a law enforcement mindset that remains punitive rather than rehabilitative. This condition creates a significant gap between suspects from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those from affluent backgrounds, which contradicts the spirit of substantive justice. The study concludes that realizing the principle of equality before the law requires comprehensive reform touching structural, cultural, and systemic aspects of Indonesia's criminal justice system.  

The enactment of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) marks a historic milestone in the reform of Indonesia's criminal law system. This study examines the fundamental changes from the old Criminal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) to the new National Criminal Code, focusing on the paradigm shift from retributive justice to restorative justice as a form of law enforcement reform. Using a normative juridical method with a statutory and comparative approach, the study analyzes the philosophical, structural, and substantive transformation embedded in the new Criminal Code. The findings indicate that the new Criminal Code introduces significant reforms including the adoption of the dualistic theory separating criminal acts from criminal liability, the recognition of living law, the expansion of criminal subjects to include corporations, the formulation of sentencing guidelines based on restorative principles, and the integration of Pancasila values as the moral foundation of the criminal law system. The case of corruption prosecution involving the Chromebook laptop procurement at the Ministry of Education illustrates the ongoing challenges of criminal law enforcement during this transitional period. This research concludes that the transition from the old to the new Criminal Code constitutes a comprehensive legal reform that transforms not only normative substance but also the fundamental paradigm of criminal law enforcement in Indonesia

An advocate is a legal professional who provides legal services both inside and outside the courtroom based on statutory law. During the Dutch colonial era, legal representation by advocates was extremely expensive, making it accessible only to individuals of high social status. At that time, indigenous people, who were generally impoverished, could not afford legal representation. However, this situation has changed with the enactment of Law No. 16 of 2011 on Legal Aid. This law guarantees the constitutional right of every individual to receive free and quality legal assistance, especially for underprivileged communities, through Legal Aid Posts (Posbakum). Advocates working at Posbakum help marginalized individuals understand their rights, provide legal consultations, and prepare essential legal documents.