PENINGKATAN KESADARAN HUKUM MASYARAKAT SEBAGAI UPAYA PENCEGAHAN TINDAK PIDANA PENCURIAN DI DESA SUKOMORO KABUPATEN MAGETAN

Abstract

This study aims to examine the implementation of legal education in raising public legal awareness as a means of preventing theft in Sukomoro Village, Magetan Regency. This study employs an empirical legal method with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews conducted during the legal awareness sessions, and documentation; these were then analysed qualitatively through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and the drawing of conclusions and verification. The legal awareness programme was carried out as part of the Impact Project in Sukomoro Sub-district, covering topics such as the definition of theft as a criminal offence, the provisions of Article 476 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, the penalties involved, and the procedures for reporting criminal offences. The research findings indicate that legal awareness sessions are effective in enhancing the public’s understanding of the criminal offence of theft, the importance of maintaining neighbourhood security, and the procedures for reporting offences to law enforcement authorities. The awareness-raising activities also clarified the public’s understanding that suspected criminal offences can still be reported even in the absence of witnesses or CCTV footage. Thus, legal awareness-raising serves as a preventative measure in enhancing public legal awareness and encouraging community participation in preventing theft and fostering a safe, orderly and law-abiding environment.