<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the application of restorative justice principles in juvenile criminal cases, particularly in situations where the diversion mechanism fails, using a case study of the Kabanjahe District Court Decision Number 7/Pid.Sus.Anak/2022/PN Kbj. This research employs a qualitative method with a normative empirical juridical approach through document analysis of court decisions and relevant legal regulations. The results indicate that restorative justice has normatively become the foundation of the juvenile criminal justice system in Indonesia; however, its practical implementation still faces significant limitations. The failure of diversion in this case is influenced not only by legal factors but also by empirical conditions, such as collective social conflict, escalation of violence, and substantial material losses, which hinder the achievement of restorative agreements. Nevertheless, restorative values are still reflected in the judge’s considerations, particularly in assessing the social and psychological conditions of the child. Therefore, the application of restorative justice in this case is partial and contextual, meaning that it is not fully realized as the primary mechanism for case resolution but remains embedded in judicial reasoning. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of restorative justice in juvenile criminal justice practice is highly dependent on the complexity of the case. The implication of this study emphasizes the urgency of reconstructing positive law to be more accommodative of mass conflict resolution, alongside the vital integration of the al-Shulh (peace-making) concept and distributive justice within Islamic Law as a jurisprudential framework for juvenile justice to mitigate future diversion deadlocks.]]>
