Digital Transformation of Criminal Justice: Opportunities and Risks for Developing Countries
Keywords:
Digital Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Developing Countries, Indonesia, Legal Technology, Access to JusticeAbstract
The digital transformation of criminal justice systems has become a global trend, including in developing countries such as Indonesia. The integration of digital technologies in policing, prosecution, and adjudication processes offers significant opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency, and access to justice. However, it also introduces substantial risks related to inequality, technological dependency, data governance, and institutional readiness. This article examines the opportunities and risks associated with digital transformation in the Indonesian criminal justice system within a broader developing country context. Using normative legal research and comparative analysis, the study evaluates current digital justice initiatives and their alignment with legal and institutional frameworks. The findings indicate that while digitalization improves case management and procedural efficiency, structural challenges such as digital divide, limited infrastructure, and lack of regulatory safeguards hinder effective implementation. Moreover, risks such as data privacy violations and algorithmic bias remain insufficiently regulated. The article argues that digital transformation must be accompanied by strong legal governance frameworks to ensure fairness and accountability. It proposes a balanced approach integrating technological innovation with rights-based safeguards. The study concludes that sustainable digital justice reform in developing countries requires institutional capacity-building and comprehensive regulatory adaptation.
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