The Effectiveness of Investigator Discretion in the Application of Restorative Justice to Criminal Cases at the People's Island Police Reviewed from Legal Certainty and Substantive Justice dan Keadilan Substantif

Authors

  • Aminan Magister Ilmu Hukum Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara
  • Muhammad Syukran Yamin Lubis Magister Ilmu Hukum Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijels.v4i9.69

Keywords:

Investigator Discretion, Restorative Justice, Legal Certainty, substantive justice, Criminal Case Settlement

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of investigators' discretion in the application  of restorative justice in the settlement of criminal cases at the People's Island Police from the perspective of legal certainty and substantive justice. The research uses normative legal methods with a legislative approach, a conceptual approach, and a case approach. Legal materials are obtained through literature studies that include primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials, then analyzed qualitatively by prescriptive analysis methods. The results of the study show that the discretion of investigators is a legitimate authority based on Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia and the Regulation of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia Number 8 of 2021 concerning the Handling of Crimes Based on Restorative Justice. The effectiveness of the exercise of discretion is influenced by the clarity of the legal arrangements, the professionalism of investigators, compliance with procedures, monitoring mechanisms, and the participation of the parties in the peace process. This study also found that legal certainty and substantive justice are two principles that complement each other in the implementation of restorative justice. Legal certainty provides normative limits on the use of discretion, while substantive justice ensures that case resolution is able to restore victims' rights, foster perpetrators' responsibility, and create social harmony. Therefore, the use of investigator discretion must be carried out professionally, proportionately, transparently, and accountably so that the goal of fair law enforcement can be realized.

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Published

2026-10-01