Purpose: This study aims to analyze the criminal liability of children involved in narcotics offenses based on Decision Number 21/Pid. Sus-Anak/2025/PN.Mgl, focusing on the application of juvenile criminal law, judicial considerations, and sanctions imposed.
Research Methodology: This study uses a normative juridical method with a case study approach and a qualitative approach. Data were collected through an analysis of court decisions, legal regulations, and the relevant literature on juvenile justice and narcotics offenses. The data were analyzed qualitatively to examine the legal reasoning and application of criminal provisions.
Results: The findings show that a child involved in a narcotics offense is subject to criminal liability based on the fulfillment of criminal elements and applicable juvenile justice provisions. The judge considered the child’s legal status, nature of the offense, and child protection principles in determining sanctions. This decision reflects an effort to balance law enforcement with restorative justice and rehabilitation approaches.
Conclusions: Criminal liability for children involved in narcotics offenses necessitates the integration of legal certainty, child protection, and rehabilitation principles to ensure proportionate sanctions and the best interests of the child.
Limitations: This study analyzed only one court decision, limiting the generalization of the findings to other narcotics cases involving children.
Contributions: This study contributes to the juvenile criminal law literature by demonstrating how judicial reasoning in narcotics cases involving children integrates criminal liability, evidentiary assessment, and restorative justice principles within the framework of child protection.