<![CDATA[The circulation of counterfeit money is a crime that can harm society and disrupt the country’s economic stability. Normatively (das sollen), Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency prohibits any act of counterfeiting or circulating counterfeit money in order to protect the rupiah as a symbol of state sovereignty and legal tender. However, in reality (das sein), the crime of circulating counterfeit money still frequently occurs in society, even exploiting developments in information technology and social media as a means of obtaining and distributing counterfeit money. This situation presents challenges in the application of criminal law and the process of proving evidence against perpetrators of counterfeit money circulation. Therefore, a legal analysis of the application of criminal law and the judge’s considerations in Decision Number 656/Pid.B/2025/PN Bks is necessary. This study aims to determine the application of criminal law to the crime of distributing counterfeit money based on Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency in Decision Number 656/Pid.B/2025/PN Bks and to determine the judge’s legal considerations in sentencing the perpetrator of the crime of distributing counterfeit money. The research method used is normative legal research with a regulatory and case-based approach. The legal materials used consist of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials obtained through literature review and then analyzed qualitatively. The results of the study indicate that the application of criminal law in Decision Number 656/Pid.B/2025/PN Bks complies with the provisions of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency and applicable criminal law provisions. The judge declared the perpetrator legally proven guilty and committed the crime of distributing counterfeit money based on valid evidence, witness statements, physical evidence, and laboratory examination results of the counterfeit money. The judge’s considerations in handing down the verdict also took into account the elements of guilt, the legal facts revealed during the trial, and the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the defendant. Therefore, the verdict reflects the application of the principles of legal certainty, justice, and legal expediency in enforcing criminal law against the crime of distributing counterfeit money.]]>
