Virtual criminal trials in Indonesia
Communication inequalities, power dynamics, and the challenges of justice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22205834 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Aan Widodo (0000-0002-5405-8932, Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya, corresponding author), Wa Ode Sitti Nurhaliza (0000-0003-4356-0895, Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya), Moh Rifaldi Akbar (Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Pages | 102272 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Sciences & Humanities Open (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2590-2911 • E-ISSN: 2590-2911 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102272 |
| OpenAlex | W4416574324 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 29 |
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual court hearings in Indonesia as a means to facilitate remote participation and promote access to justice that is faster, cheaper, and simpler. This study examines the implementation of virtual criminal trials from a communication science perspective, focusing on how legal practitioners experience and interpret mediated courtroom interactions and how these dynamics affect perceptions of justice. Using a qualitative approach, the research draws on semi-formal interviews with judges and lawyers, complemented by courtroom observations. The findings indicate that significant challenges stem from inadequate digital infrastructure, particularly in detention centers, which results in communication breakdowns and incomplete message transmission. The non-conducive detention environment further undermines concentration and diminishes the symbolic solemnity of judicial proceedings. From a justice perspective, judges face difficulties in uncovering material truth due to the inability to fully observe defendants' and witnesses' non-verbal cues, while defendants frequently report discomfort, psychological pressure, and limited fulfillment of their right to a fair defense. Although virtual hearings are perceived as effective for civil cases and administrative matters, most informants contend that Indonesia's judicial system is not yet fully equipped for their institutionalization in criminal proceedings. This study contributes to legal communication scholarship by demonstrating how mediated trial settings exacerbate power asymmetries and heighten perceived vulnerability among defendants. It further recommends infrastructural enhancement and strengthened inter-institutional coordination to ensure substantive justice in future virtual courtroom practices
Criminal justice · Economic Justice · Institutionalisation · Perception · Scholarship · Dispute Resolution and Class Actions · Jury Decision Making Processes · Law in Society and Culture
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |