Criminal Law
Jakarta Law Firm · 22 October 2026
General legal information, not advice for an individual matter.
Criminal law concerns conduct defined as an offence and criminal responsibility. If you receive a summons, face a report or wish to report an incident, begin by clarifying your position. Organised records and an accurate chronology make an initial consultation more useful.
Start with the facts and your position
Record what happened, when and where it occurred, and who has direct knowledge. Distinguish your own observations from information received from others. The positions of complainant, victim, witness, suspect and defendant should not be treated as interchangeable; check the documents and current stage.
Tell the lawyer which information remains uncertain. A clear chronology helps identify missing records and questions without assuming that an allegation establishes guilt. Keep personal information and documents out of public discussion while arranging a consultation.
Criminal law and criminal procedure
Substantive criminal law addresses offences and responsibility, while criminal procedure concerns how a matter is handled. Reading an offence provision alone does not determine a person’s position or the appropriate response.
Indonesia’s national Criminal Code is established by Law No. 1 of 2023, and the new Criminal Procedure Code by Law No. 20 of 2025. The government announced their commencement on 2 January 2026. The date of an incident, transitional provisions, special legislation and subsequent decisions still require individual assessment. This article does not identify the applicable charge or penalty for your circumstances.
When you receive a summons or notice
Keep the complete letter, attachments and evidence of receipt. Note the issuing authority, reference number, date, purpose and stated status. Discuss any uncertainty about authenticity or meaning with a lawyer before relying on an informal explanation.
Mention stated schedules and deadlines at the start of the consultation. Preserve original communications and relevant files; do not delete, alter or recreate evidence to fit an account. Explain honestly where records are missing or only copies are available.
Preparing for a consultation
Bring identification, a short chronology, official correspondence and supporting material. For digital records, retain the original file, surrounding context and available timestamps. Separate originals, copies and personal notes so that the material can be assessed accurately.
Explain whether you need help understanding a letter, discussing assistance during questioning, reviewing a report or preparing to discuss court proceedings. The scope of work, availability and fees require a separate agreement. An initial discussion does not guarantee any outcome.
Assistance depends on the matter
A lawyer may review documents, explain the process and discuss legal options appropriate to your position and the stage of the matter. Ask what work is included, what records are needed and how communication will be handled.
General information cannot replace an individual assessment. Special rules, incomplete records and developments in a case may affect the analysis. Contact Jakarta Law Firm through its official channels to discuss your criminal-law consultation needs.
Document checklist before a consultation
- Identification and contact details.
- Complete summons or notices and attachments.
- A dated chronology with information sources.
- Relevant original records and communications.
- Questions and schedules to discuss.
Common questions
Does a summons establish guilt?
No. Check the type of document, the stated position and the current process. A summons is not a finding of guilt.
What should I bring?
Identification, complete correspondence, a chronology and relevant records, distinguishing originals from copies.
Do all criminal matters follow identical rules?
No. The facts, incident date, special rules and stage of proceedings require assessment.
Discuss your own circumstances
To discuss your records and assistance needs, explore the relevant practice area and contact the firm with a short summary. The scope of an engagement and fees require further discussion.
Official sources and further reading
Related reading
About this information
This article provides general information and preparation guidance, not advice on a particular matter. Applying the law requires review of the facts, records and current rules.
Jakarta Law Firm
Criminal law concerns conduct defined as an offence and criminal responsibility. If you receive a summons, face a report or wish to report an incident, begin by clarifying your position. Organised records and an accurate chronology make an initial consultation more useful.