Author Guidelines

General Information
Iustitia Criminal Science is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal that publishes high-quality research articles, critical legal analyses, and empirical studies in the multidisciplinary field of criminal law and criminal justice. The journal aims to disseminate innovative and significant scholarly contributions to the academic and professional community, published four times a year (January, April, July, and October).

Manuscript Categories
The journal accepts manuscripts in the following categories:

  • Research Articles: Original works, whether doctrinal, socio-legal, empirical, or comparative, that provide a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in criminal law and criminal justice.
  • Critical Legal Analyses: In-depth examinations of statutory provisions, case law, or legal policy relevant to criminal law and law enforcement.
  • Literature Reviews: Critical and comprehensive evaluations of existing scholarship, highlighting current developments, research gaps, and recommendations for future study.

Manuscript Preparation

Authors are advised to prepare their manuscripts according to the following guidelines. A complete formatting template is available on the Paper Template page of this journal.

1. Title Page
The title page must include:

  • Title: Concise, informative, and reflective of the manuscript's core legal issue.
  • Authors: Full name, institutional affiliation, and email address for each author.
  • Abstract: A structured abstract of maximum 250 words containing the research problem, objective, method or approach, key findings, and the significance or novelty of the study.
  • Keywords: 3 to 5 keywords that describe the main concepts of the manuscript.

2. Introduction
Clearly describe the background, objective, and significance of the research. Include the problem statement, a brief review of relevant prior scholarship, and the research questions.

3. Research Method
Explain the research approach used (e.g., normative-juridical, empirical/socio-legal, or comparative), the sources of data or legal materials, and the method of analysis, in sufficient detail to allow the study to be assessed for methodological rigor.

4. Results and Discussion
Present the research findings systematically. Discuss their meaning in relation to existing statutory provisions, case law, and prior scholarship, and disclose any limitations encountered during the research process.

5. Conclusion
Summarize the main findings and their contribution to criminal law theory, policy, or practice. Where relevant, provide recommendations for future research or law reform, without repeating information already discussed.

6. References
List all sources cited in the manuscript. Ensure the accuracy and completeness of all reference data.

Reference and Citation Requirements:

  • Citation Style: References must be prepared in APA 7th edition style, or another style specified by the editorial board prior to submission.
  • Reference Manager: All citations and the reference list must be generated using Zotero. Zotero can be downloaded at: https://www.zotero.org/download/client/dl?channel=release&platform=win-x64.
  • Minimum Number: Each manuscript should contain at least 25 references.
  • Sources: At least 50% of all references should come from reputable, peer-reviewed international journals.
  • Primary Legal Sources: Statutes, regulations, and case law cited must reference the official gazette, court report, or an authoritative online source.
  • Self-Citation: Self-citations are permitted but should not exceed three references and must be directly relevant to the current manuscript.
  • Recency: Authors are encouraged to prioritize references published within the past 10 years to ensure the currency and relevance of the study.

Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically through the journal's online submission system at: https://journal.aisholarborneo.org/index.php/ics/about/submissions. Manuscripts must be prepared using Microsoft Word, following the journal's Paper Template, and submitted in accordance with the technical instructions provided there.

Peer Review Process

All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process to maintain objectivity and publication quality. The identities of both authors and reviewers are kept confidential throughout the evaluation process. The full procedure is described on the journal's Peer Review Process page.

Publication Ethics

The journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. Plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of research misconduct are strictly prohibited. Authors must guarantee the originality of their work and provide proper citations for the work of others. See the journal's Publication Ethics and Screening for Plagiarism pages for further detail.

Copyright and Open Access

The journal operates under an open-access policy. Copyright remains with the author(s), and published articles are freely accessible to readers, subject to the license specified on the journal's Copyright and License page.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION
Submit your manuscript at: https://journal.aisholarborneo.org/index.php/ics/about/submissions
For administrative inquiries, contact: journal@aisholarborneo.org