Pelaksanaan Restorative Justice dalam Penyelesaian Tindak Pidana Penganiayaan Ringan di Polres Aceh Singkil Tahun 2024-2025

Restorative justice provides an alternative approach to criminal case resolution by emphasizing dialogue, accountability, reconciliation, and the restoration of relationships between victims and offenders. In Indonesia, its implementation at the police investigation stage is regulated by Indonesian National Police Regulation No. 8 of 2021 concerning the Handling of Criminal Offenses Based on Restorative Justice. This study examines the implementation of restorative justice in resolving minor assault offenses at the Aceh Singkil District Police during 2024–2025, particularly with reference to Article 352 of the Criminal Code and the requirements stipulated in Regulation No. 8 of 2021. The study employs an empirical legal research method using interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings show that restorative justice involves several stages, including receiving and examining reports, assessing case eligibility, conducting mediation, formulating settlement agreements, and terminating investigations when the applicable requirements are fulfilled. During 2024–2025, 17 minor assault cases were handled, of which 10 were resolved through restorative justice and 7 were not. The main obstacles included disagreements between victims and offenders, particularly concerning compensation, limited public understanding of restorative justice, and the unwillingness of some parties to reach an agreement. Investigators addressed these obstacles through persuasive approaches, legal education, mediation, and the involvement of family members and community leaders in the reconciliation process. The study demonstrates that the effectiveness of restorative justice depends not only on legal eligibility but also on the parties’ willingness to reach a voluntary agreement and the investigators’ ability to facilitate a fair and constructive resolution.