Legal Literacy- This article explains about dissenting opinion or differing opinions from judges in a verdict and how verdicts are reached when there are differences of opinion among judges.

Judge's Verdict

In delivering a verdict, a judge must first formulate considerations based on the facts and evidence revealed in court, as well as the judge's conviction regarding a case. Thus, the judge has a primary position in delivering a court decision. Court decisions must contain considerations or reasons related to aggravating and mitigating circumstances, because these considerations are the basis for the judge in rendering their verdict.

Article 1 number 11 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) explains the definition of a verdict as follows: "A court decision is a statement by a judge pronounced in an open court session, which may be in the form of conviction, acquittal, or release from all legal charges in the cases and according to the manner regulated in this law." To make a decision, the Panel of Judges holds a final deliberation (Judges' Deliberation Meeting) after the trial examination is declared closed. The judge's decision must be based on the indictment and matters proven in court.

Law Number 4 of 2004 concerning Judicial Power has affirmed that judges are obliged to explore, follow, and understand the legal values and sense of justice that live in society. Judge's verdict is a statement from a judge as the executor of judicial power who is authorized, which is only valid and has legal force if pronounced in an open court session for the public.