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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peer Court?
How does it work?
Who's on Peer Court?
Is Peer Court mandatory?
What are the outcomes?
What is the difference between Peer Court and YAB?
Is there a fee?
What are the benefits?
How do I volunteer for Peer Court?
What is Training Like?
- Youth and adults taking action to improve the school and community
- Creates a powerful alternative to suspension, expulsion or arrest
- Lets students take responsibility for their harmful actions in a positive way
- Brings Restorative Justice to schools and communities
- Keeps students in school and out of the juvenile justice system
- Is a tool for violence prevention and conflict resolution
Who’s on Peer Court?As an alternative to the juvenile justice system, volunteers hold hearings about actual incidents that occurred in their school or neighborhood. Volunteers work with the victim, the offender (also called the “Respondent”), school officials, law enforcement officers and family members to reach a solution that everyone can agree to. If the Respondent completes the Peer Court contract, then the case is closed without an arrest or suspension.
Student and community leaders who can fairly and responsibly represent the school and community serve. Volunteers complete 24 hours of training and prior to service.
No — Peer Court is voluntary and everyone must choose to participate. Because it is an alternative to some other punishment like suspension, expulsion or arrest, if the respondent chooses not to participate, the case is returned to the school or police for further action.
Sentence (or “Disposition”) recommendations can include: Community service projects, letters of apology, research projects, essays, mediation, restitution, peer-education presentations, referral to services or community programs or any other appropriate items.
What is the difference between Peer Court and YAB?
Peer Court is run by students and operates in the schools. YAB is run by both youth and adults, and it operates in the neighborhood. Mainly, YAB youth have been arrested, and Peer Court youth are being served as an alterative to suspension or arrest.
There is never a fee. Peer Court is sponsored by the city of San Francisco (DCYF, MOCJ, JPD), by California Community Dispute Services and by the Visitacion Valley Beacon Center.
- Reduces suspensions, expulsions and arrests
- Provides valuable training and an opportunity to use it
- Builds community ties in schools and neighborhoods
- Fights Disproportionate Minority Confinement
- Develops and utilizes youth leadership and communication skills
How do I volunteer for Peer Court?
- Find Out how to Volunteer for Peer Court!
- Download the Volunteer Application now (in Acrobat PDF format*)
What is Training Like?
- Download the 2004-2005 Peer Court Training Agenda (in Acrobat PDF format*)
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