Youth Peer Court       

       What is Peer Court?
       Criteria
       How Peer Court works
       Sanctions
       Summary   

 

WHAT IS PEER COURT?

The Cottage Grove Peer Court is an alternative court within the criminal justice system for juveniles who commit misdemeanors or violations. Youth may be referred to Peer Court by police officers, the Department of Youth Services, Municipal Court, or the local schools.

If, after admitting their guilt, offenders are accepted into Peer Court. Juries made up of middle and high school students hear their cases. After determining the facts of the case, each jury recommends a sentence for the defendant that is appropriate for the crime and the circumstances.

Juries are made up of volunteers and defendants. After sentencing, the Peer Court Coordinator monitors each case to assure that the defendant complies with the sentence. Once the sentence has been completed, the defendant may make application to the Circuit Court to have their case / record expunged. Students who fail to comply with the sentencing are referred to the County Department of Youth Services.

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.

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CRITERIA

In order to be eligible for consideration in Peer Court, the following conditions must be met:

       Offender is under 18 year of age
       First or second time offender
       Admission of guilt regarding the offense
       Consent by both offender and Parent/Guardian

Offenses heard by the court are:

       Minor in possession of Marijuana
       Minor in possession of Tobacco
       Minor in possession of Alcohol
       Littering
       Criminal Trespass
       Theft
       Criminal Mischief
       Reckless Burning
       Assault IV
       Disorderly Conduct
       Harassment
       Carrying a concealed weapon

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HOW PEER COURT WORKS

When an offender is contacted by a police officer, they will be cited to appear before Peer Court. The Peer Court Coordinator will schedule an interview with the offender and their parent or guardian 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 Case Presenters, to summarize the case and present any circumstances that may have an effect on sentence. Finally, a jury composed of other student volunteers and former offenders will decide the appropriate sentence in the case.

Sentencing will normally involved 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 fails to carry out sentencing is automatically turned over to the Juvenile courts for prosecution. Peer Court allows the offender a "second chance" in avoiding the system. Once the sentence is successfully completed, all record of the offense may be removed from the youth’s legal record.

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SANCTIONS

The following sanctions are possible:

        Community Service hours shall consist of 0-40 hours
       Maximum number of words given for essay: 500
       Verbal or letter of apology

       Restitution must either directly relate to monetary items listed in the police
          report, or include 2 written appraisals for replacement of damaged property
          presented at hearing.

       All defendants must sit a s a juror at least once per infraction
       Attend Victims Impact panel
       Attend Anger Management classes
       Attend Drug/Alcohol evaluation and follow recommendations

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SUMMARY

Cottage Grove Peer Court has been in effect since 1997 and has heard over 800 cases to date. Our recidivism rate is 10%.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Al Jarvis, Peer Court Coordinator
E-mail: al@cgpolice.org
(541) 942-9145 ext. 152

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