The Peer Court Youth Accountability Program is an alternative to juvenile court.How it works
Peer Court is under the supervision of a judge and includes high school peers who serve as jurors, observers and court bailiffs.
Student jurors listen to a statement about the offense the juvenile committed. The juvenile may also provide their own personal account of the offense. Both the jurors and the judge may ask questions about the incident.
After questioning, the jury is excused to deliberate and agree on dispositional recommendations. The jurors present their dispositional recommendations to the judge who makes the final decision. A Peer Court order is then signed by the judge, juvenile and a parent or guardian.
Disposition conditions ordered may include:
- Attend alcohol or drug education class or counseling
- Attend school regularly
- Complete community work service
- No possession of weapons
- No use of alcohol or illegal drugs
- Obey curfew times
- Obtain employment
- Participate as a juror in Peer Court
- Pay restitution
- Refrain from negative peer relationships
- Remain law abiding
- Write a letter of apology or participate in victim-offender mediation
- Write an essay as directed
- Other conditions recommended by the Peer Court jury or judge
All ordered conditions must be completed within four months of the signed court order. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a petition in juvenile court.
Peer Court is held during the school year and at a school where the juvenile does not attend.
Program benefits
The juvenile and peer participants will learn about the juvenile justice system through a hands-on experience.
A better understanding about the impact of their behavior.
After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken.