Peer Court is an alternative sentencing program for juvenile offenders. Peer Court teaches juvenile offenders to take responsibility for their actions.
Program basics
Peer Court is held during the week at local high school campuses. Students serve as jurors, observers and court bailiffs. The jurors listen to the charges regarding the juvenile offender. The juvenile is then allowed to explain their side of the story. The student jurors and the judge inquire about the circumstances to determine proper consequences for the illegal behavior.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the juvenile offender and his/her parents must sign a Peer Court Agreement which becomes the Court’s order in the case. The juvenile’s compliance with the Court order is monitored. Juveniles who do not complete their ordered sanctions are referred to the Dakota County Attorney for formal prosecution in Juvenile Court.
For more information, contact the Dakota County Attorney’s Office at 651-438-4438 or attorney@co.dakota.mn.us.