OPTIMALISASI PROGRAM EDUKASI PARALEGAL BAGI APARATUR DESA DALAM PENANGANAN AWAL MASALAH HUKUM PIDANA DI SUKOMORO

Abstract

Indonesia's constitutional commitment to the rule of law obliges the state to guarantee equal access to justice, including through the legal aid scheme mandated by Law No. 16 of 2011 on Legal Aid and Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 3 of 2021 on Paralegals in the Provision of Legal Aid. Village apparatus routinely serve as the first point of contact for community legal complaints, yet most lack formal legal training, creating risks of inaccurate guidance, particularly for early-stage criminal law problems. This study examines the implementation of a Paralegal Education Program for village apparatus in Sukomoro Subdistrict, Magetan Regency, delivered through the Student Creativity Program (PKM) Thesis Recognition scheme of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Using empirical legal research with qualitative data drawn from interviews, observation, and documentation involving eighteen village heads and secretaries from nine villages and one urban village, the study analyzes program implementation, the resulting change in village apparatus capacity, and the supporting and inhibiting factors shaping outcomes. Findings show that needs-based material delivered through counseling and focus group discussion strengthened participants' understanding of paralegal functions, the boundaries of village authority, and referral mechanisms, although limited session duration, heterogeneous legal literacy, and underdeveloped legal aid posts constrained impact. The study proposes a sustainable, needs-responsive optimization model combining continued training, module development, and legal aid post strengthening.