Peer Courts

• Katy Arrowood, CEO, Griffin Region College & Career Academy

• Molly Arrowood, 12th grade student, Athens Community Career Academy and 3 year peer court volunteer

• Emily Boness, JD, Public Service Assistant, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

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The CCA/ Peer Court Connection

• Opportunity for real world, hands on, community minded participation

• Fits nicely with Criminal Justice pathway

• Builds the relationship between the Academy & the community

• Students gain leadership skills that transfer to many areas of life

2

What is a Peer Court?

• Voluntary diversionary program

• Train students to serve as the advocates, judges, bailiffs and jurors in disposition hearings

• Decide fair and appropriate dispositions for respondents

• There are many around the country

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Benefits of peer courts

•Respondents•Juvenile court•Youth volunteers•Community

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Respondent benefits

5

Charges by type

6

23%

22%

20%

8%

7%

6%

4%

4%2%

1%

2%

Shoplifting

Daytime curfew

Curfew violation

Possession of marijuana

Criminal trespass

Battery/assault

Theft by taking

Underage drinking

Affray

Burglary

Other

Typical Disposition in Athens

• 7.6 hours of community service• 2.5 hours of jury duty• Verbal apology to parents in court• 25% respondents write apology to victim

• 25% respondents write an “essay”

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What respondents say

• “It was a learning experience. Peer court allows adolescents to get a taste of the real world. It is basically giving you a second chance.”

• “I found the peer court to be just as serious as regular court but I wasn't as pressured and felt more free to talk.”

• “Yes. What I found good about peer court is that you will learn about your mistakes.”

About Jury Duty• “It was nice to sit on the other side having the same

experience as the convicted.”• “Jury duty was fun to me because I wanted to work in the court

case when I get older anyways.” 8

Juvenile Court benefits

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Time to hearing (days)

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Year 3

Year 2

Year 1

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

31%

8%

18%

48%

60%

36%

11%

18%

22%

10%

11%

13%

4%

11%

15 days or fewer 16-30 days 31-45 days 46-60 days More than 60 days

Recidivism

• Delinquent recidivism rate between 16 and 18%• Overall recidivism rate of approximately 20%

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8%

29%

29%

26%

9%

# of days between charge and repeat offense

Less than or equal to 30 days

30-180 days

181-365 days

366-730

More than 2 years

Youth volunteer benefits

12

Youth Volunteer Commitment

• Attend all the training sessions• Volunteer to take cases that come to peer court• Serve as the advocates, jurors, bailiffs and judges• Participate about twice a month• Come to future trainings and meetings• Follow confidentiality rules • Treat each other and respondents with respect

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Why do you volunteer with APC

140%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

met new friends gained a new perspectiveon juvenile justice

practice skills continue serving theAthens community

helps me achieve my goalsfor the future

Additional Activities

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Community benefits

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Service

• 2500 hours of community service assigned

• Lawyer/law student engagement• Youth engagement

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How to start a Peer Court

• Juvenile Court Judge support• Establish a need• Explain the benefits

• “Home” organization• Adult volunteer commitment• Youth volunteer recruitment and training

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