City of Tigard > Tigard Police Department > Youth Services

Youth Peer Court

Home > Tigard Police Department > Youth Services > Youth Peer Court

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 2 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.

Summary
Tigard Peer Court has been in effect since January 1997 and has heard over 300 cases to date. Our re-offend rate is only 2%....which shows our program is working!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Officer Sheryl Huiras at 503-718-2578.