Implementation of Restorative Justice in Handling Miscellaneous Crimes: An Empirical Study at the West Lombok Police Resort

This study aims to analyze the implementation of restorative justice in resolving minor criminal offenses at the West Lombok Resort Police (Polres Lombok Barat) and to identify the obstacles encountered in its application. The research employs an empirical juridical approach, utilizing data collection techniques such as interviews, observation, and documentary studies. The findings reveal that the implementation of restorative justice at the West Lombok Police has been carried out effectively, based on Regulation No. 8 of 2021 from the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, concerning the Handling of Criminal Acts Based on Restorative Justice. This approach reflects a paradigm shift in criminal law enforcement from a retributive orientation to one of restoration and social welfare. In practice, investigators act as facilitators emphasizing dialogue, moral responsibility, and the restoration of relationships between offenders and victims. However, the effectiveness of restorative justice still faces several structural, substantial, and cultural challenges as described in Lawrence M. Friedman's theory of the legal system. Structural constraints include the lack of human resources and facilities. Substantial obstacles relate to the lack of regulatory harmonization among law enforcement agencies. Cultural constraints concern the low level of public awareness and understanding of restorative justice values. The study concludes that the application of restorative justice at the West Lombok Police reflects a balance among legal certainty, justice, and utility as formulated in Gustav Radbruch's theory. It aligns with the local value of menyama braya (social harmony) that characterizes Lombok society. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officers, enhance inter-agency coordination, and foster a legal culture that supports the effective, humanistic, and sustainable implementation of restorative justice.