The Structure of Criminal Judges' Legal Reasoning from the Philosophical Foundation of the First Principle of Pancasila

Irwansyah Irwansyah; Chairus Suriyani; Muhammad Fauzi

doi:10.55606/birokrasi.v3i4.1901

Authors

Irwansyah Irwansyah Universitas Al-Azhar
Chairus Suriyani Universitas Battuta
Muhammad Fauzi Universitas Al-Azhar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55606/birokrasi.v3i4.1901

Keywords:

criminal judges; judicial power; legal reasoning; Pancasila; philosophical foundation

Abstract

Criminal judges' legal reasoning determines how legal norms are connected to proven facts and how judicial decisions are justified. In Indonesia, this reasoning cannot be separated from Pancasila as the philosophical foundation of the state. This study analyzes the structure of criminal judges' legal reasoning from the perspective of the first principle of Pancasila, Belief in the One and Only God, and examines how divine values can function within judicial consideration without replacing positive law. The study employs normative juridical research using statutory, conceptual, philosophical, and case approaches. Legal materials are analyzed qualitatively through legal interpretation and argumentation. The analysis identifies a sequential reasoning structure comprising the identification of legal facts and issues, selection and interpretation of relevant norms, connection of norms to facts, assessment of evidence, evaluation of criminal responsibility, formulation of legal arguments, and determination of the decision. The first principle operates as a moral-philosophical foundation that reinforces honesty, integrity, impartiality, responsibility, proportionality, judicial independence, and respect for human dignity. The study proposes a three-layer model of judicial reasoning consisting of legal, rational, and moral-philosophical layers. This model clarifies that Pancasila-based reasoning should strengthen, rather than substitute, legality, evidence, and accountable judicial argumentation.

References

Ali, Z. (2023). Philosophy of law. Sinar Grafika.

Daullah, R., Srinita, D., Ramadhani, O., & Fitriono, R. A. (2022). Pancasila is the source of all sources of law. Gema Keadilan, 9(2), 108–116. https://doi.org/10.14710/gk.2022.16268

Ginting, V. A. B., Khairunnisa, K., & Andriati, S. L. (2022). Implementation of legal philosophy values in law formation in Indonesia. CREPIDO, 4(1), 23–29. https://doi.org/10.14710/crepido.4.1.23-29

Hamadi, I. G., & Angelina, F. (2024). Reforming the Indonesian constitutional judge recruitment system in line with the people-centered values of Pancasila. Ma'mal: Journal of Sharia and Law Laboratory, 5(5).

Harahap, B. Y., Sukiati, & Tanjung, D. (2024). The concept of legal reasoning of judges in Islamic law regarding legal decisions for drug addicts in the Mandailing Natal District Court. Journal of Law, Politics and Humanities, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v4i5.527

Ibrahim, S. I. (2025). Legal reasoning of Constitutional Court judges in Constitutional Court Decision Number 62/PUU-XXII/2024. As-Syar'i: Journal of Family Guidance & Counseling, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.47467/as.v7i3.9097

Indriastuti, A. R. M., & Handayani, E. (2025). The role of legal reasoning in the process of legal discovery (rechtsvinding) by judges. Wijayakusuma Law Review, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.51921/wlr.w8yszy58

Jiwanti, A., & Soponyono, E. (2022). The urgency of judge's legal reasoning in deciding on an environmental crime case based on an ecocentric approach: Review of Case Decision No. 640/PID.B/LH/2021/PT PBR. Jurnal Jurisprudence, 12(1), 71–91. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v12i1.1092

Khalid, H., Humaera, H., Rahman, S., & Djanggih, H. (2024). Legal reasoning judge's decision in civil cases. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 12(1), e2544. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v12i1.2544

Lamintang, P. A. F., & Lamintang, F. T. (2023). Fundamentals of criminal law in Indonesia (5th ed.). Sinar Grafika.

Nugraha, I. K. P., Puspitasari, D., & Anggraini, R. (2024). Analysis of legal reasoning and the impact of Constitutional Court Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023. Fundamental Justice Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.30812/fundamental.v5i2.4433

Purnama, D., Asmuni, & Tanjung, D. (2023). The justice orientation in the court decree: The judge legal reasoning in compensation imposition of musharakah agreement. Justicia Islamica, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.21154/justicia.v20i2.6845

Santoso, L., Amaliyah, A., & Huda, M. (2023). Refusal of polygamy permit in religious court decision: Criticism of gender justice against judge's legal reasoning. Al-Risalah: Forum Kajian Hukum dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan, 23(2), 160–173. https://doi.org/10.30631/alrisalah.v23i2.1472

Santoso, T. (2023). Principles of criminal law. Rajawali Pers.

Saragih, G. M., Ishwara, A. S. S., & Putra, R. K. (2024). Evaluation of the implementation of Pancasila values and human rights enforcement in the Indonesian judicial system through a constitutional approach. Law Reform, 28(3), 202–217. https://doi.org/10.46257/jrh.v28i3.1082

Shomad, A., & Thalib, P. (2023). Introduction to legal philosophy. Airlangga University Press.

Sujatmiko, B., Jarmoko, M. N., & Alam, S. (2024). Application of the five Pancasila values in judicial decisions in Indonesia. Jurnal Civic Hukum, 9(2), 214–230. https://doi.org/10.22219/jch.v9i2.33162

Susilo, E., & Kamali, K. M. I. (2026). Law as integrity in the Pancasila system: Judicial reasoning in hard cases and gray areas. Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 6(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v6i1.869

Wibowo, E. A. (2024). A sociological study of the legal reasoning for the application of norms of politeness to perpetrators of criminal acts in judges' decisions in Indonesia. Journal of Legal Resources, 2(1), 30–46.

Wounde, A. H., Rato, D., & Setyawan, F. (2023). Implementation of legal philosophy values in the formation of law in Indonesia. SEIKAT: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik dan Hukum, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.55681/seikat.v2i3.569