Local Service Directory

Peer Court Youth Volunteer

14-18 (High School)

Posted October 4, 2016

Youth volunteers conduct court hearings and develop dispositions (sentences) for referred youth. Youth volunteers base dispositions on the three principles of restorative justice: accountability, skill development, and community connection. Rather than punish referred youth, Peer Court’s youth volunteers support referred youth by encouraging them to reach their full academic, social, and creative potential. Outside of the courtroom youth volunteers mentor (one-on-one) referred youth every week- meeting in person or communicating over the phone. By providing weekly support and guidance Peer Court youth volunteers harness the positive aspects of peer pressure to encourage responsibility, personal growth through pro-social skill development, and community connection. Go to www.saltlakepeercourt.org/youthvolunteers for more info and to apply!

Attached document:

Opportunity through

Salt Lake Peer Court
645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Ut 84111
801-322-1815

saltlakepeercourt@gmail.com
www.saltlakepeercourt.org

Category: Youth
County: Salt Lake Valley

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Salt Lake Peer Court is a program of Utah Law Related Education, a 501(c)(3) organization. Salt Lake Peer Court is a court diversion program certified by the Utah Youth Court Association under the Utah Youth Court Diversion Act. Youth who have committed status offenses or class B or class C misdemeanors can be referred to Peer Court rather than sent through the traditional juvenile court system. Salt Lake Peer Court is a free and voluntary program. Youth who are successful in Peer Court do not receive a criminal record. APPLICATIONS FILLED, NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING VOLUNTEERS. EMAIL TO BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST.
A youth referred to Salt Lake Peer Court (along with a parent/guardian) sits before a panel of high school volunteers who are trained to hear cases. The panel asks questions of the youth and parent/guardian to get a better understanding of the offense/issue as well as other concerns within the household and at school. The panel creates a disposition contract with conditions the youth and parent/guardian must fulfill. These conditions can include community service for the youth, educational opportunities, vocational training, social activities, individual/family counseling, and/or other conditions as the panel sees fit. The referred youth is paired with a peer mentor who follows-up with them by phone or in person between court hearings. An adult advisor is assigned to the case and follows-up with the parent/guardian to check on progress and answer questions. Return hearings are held to report on disposition contract progress and make changes if needed. Referred youth who are successful in Peer Court graduate. Those who are unsuccessful are closed non-compliant and the referral is sent back to the source (usually the school) for further processing.
"I personally enjoyed watching the youth work towards graduating the program. Many troubled youth were able to make small changes in their lives that allowed them to reconnect with themselves, their family, and their community." // "I got to help the community and have an impact on my peers!" // "The best part about Peer Court was watching my mentees graduate. Both of them graduated at the last day of Peer Court, so it was nice to see our efforts come to fruition in the end."