Youth Peer Court...what's it all about?
 Criteria
How Peer Court Works
Benefits of Peer Court
Sanctions
Summary
Youth Peer Court Seeks Participants
The Tigard Youth Peer Court allows community service oriented youths interested in
the criminal justice system an opportunity to help law enforcement and their community. Those selected
will be trained to perform specific court functions and must dedicate at least one evening per week
to this function.
Download the Peer Cour Application if you're interested
in participating as a Court Officer (attorney, bailiff, court recorder, court clerk) or
Juror.
What is Youth Peer Court?
Peer Court is a diversion program or, simply put, a chance for first
time young offenders to avoid the serious implications associated with formal entry into the
criminal justice system. When the juvenile is arrested, an officer will offer the offender an
option to enter the Peer Court system, instead of the Juvenile Justice system. With parental
approval, the date for hearing is set. In court, the infraction is described, the offender's
student attorney may bring up extenuating circumstances, and a jury of the offender's peers
(other students and former peer court offenders) — will assess the sentence which may include
restitution, community service, and service as a juror. Once the sentence has been completed,
all record of the infraction is destroyed. Students who fail to comply with sentencing are
referred to the Juvenile Justice System for prosecution.
The Peer Court's ultimate objective is to deter youth from the commission of second offenses...
and by its example as a model for understanding justice and law, to prevent more first time
offenses as well.
Criteria
In order to be eligible for consideration in Peer Court, the following
conditions must be met:
- Offender is 12 to 17 years old
- First time offender
- Admission of guilt regarding the offense
- Consent by both offender and Parent/Guardian
- Residency within Tigard/Tualatin area
Offenses heard by the court are:
- Minor in possession of Marijuana
- Minor in possession of Tobacco
- Minor in possession of Alcohol
- Curfew
- Littering
- Criminal Trespass
- Theft
- Minor Graffiti (Criminal Mischief III)
- Minor traffic violations under age 16
- Truancy
- Reckless Burning
How Peer Court Works
When an offender is contacted by a police officer, they will be given the option of having
their case heard and determined in the Peer Court System. The officer will refer the case to
the Youth Services Officer or a School Resource Officer and they will schedule an interview
with the offender and their parent or guardian. This interview will be to determine if the
offender is eligible for the program and if they agree to complete the program.
An appearance date is scheduled and the offender appears, with a parent or guardian, to have
the case heard. The residing Judge is a local attorney who will ensure that all legal
requirements are met. Students will act as Peer attorneys to present any circumstances
that may have an effect on sentence, and finally, a jury composed of other student volunteers
and former offenders will decide the appropriate sentence in the case.
Sentencing will normally involve community service, restitution when appropriate, and
will always include future service as a peer court juror. At any point during the process
an offender who misses a court date or fails to carry out sentencing is automatically turned
over to the Juvenile courts for prosecution. The opportunity here not only allows the
offender a "second chance" in avoiding the system, but once sentence is successfully
completed, all record of the offense is removed from the students legal record. In effect,
the offender has an opportunity not only to make it right, but to "erase" the offense
entirely from the public record.
Benefits of Peer Court
Peer Court gives:
- The youth who has made an error in judgment, the opportunity to make up for the
offense, repayment instead of punishment, and to clear their public record.
- All students involved — offenders, attorneys and jury members — with an
understanding of respect for the potential of our system of law and justice
when people care enough to participate.
- Attorneys and community members the opportunity to support kids in their
schools as well as the chance to help teach lessons that every American should know.
- A way to alert students to the importance of accepting responsibility, not
only because it's the right thing, but because its the surest path to justice,
forgiveness, and earning respect.
Sanctions
The following sanctions are possible:
- Community Service hours shall consist of 0-40 hours
- Maximum number of words given for essay: 1000.
- Maximum number of words given for letters of apology: 400.
- Restitution must either be directly related to monetary items listed in
the police report, or include two written appraisals for replacement of damaged
property presented at the hearing. Restitution will not exceed $50.00.
- All defendants must sit as a juror at least once.
- All defendants must attend a Self-Esteem Workshop.
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Contact Us:
Tigard Peer Court has been in effect since January 1997 and hears approximately
100 cases each year. Our re-offend rate is only 1%... which shows our program is
working!
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