Abstract
Enforcing restorative justice principles within the juvenile justice system often triggers debate over effective restoration versus law enforcement. Unlike previous studies focusing on local juridical analysis (Rizki et al., 2024), scheme effectiveness (Adnyana, 2023), or the best interests of the child (Fithri & Wahyuni, 2026), this study examines the dilemma between restoration and deterrence in applying restorative justice within the SPPA. Utilising a statutory and conceptual approach within normative legal research, this study aims to assess the tension between a restoration orientation and the protective role of criminal law, which requires deterrence. The results indicate that this dilemma is not only conceptual—due to an inherent dualism in juvenile sentencing objectives—but also practical, stemming from structural, normative, and cultural obstacles. In response, this study proposes an integrative approach positioning restorative justice as the primary foundation by reconstructing deterrence into educational and proportionate accountability. This study emphasises the importance of shifting from a dichotomous to an integrative approach. Theoretically, these outcomes advance understanding of juvenile criminal law by offering an integrative framework that could serve as a comparative reference for criminal justice systems in other developing countries.