Application now open - March 6, 2023 - June 1, 2023
Neighborhood Courts
Community-driven restorative justice, an alternative to criminal court.
Promoting innovative solutions to low level crime by resolving cases with the help of community volunteers. A division of the District Attorney
WHAT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD COURTS PROGRAM?
The Neighborhood Courts program is a community driven, pre-filing diversion program designed to divert low level misdemeanor offenses from entering the criminal justice system.
First time offenders are given an opportunity to take responsibility and repair the harm they caused through a community-based process using restorative justice principles instead of a courtroom.
The Neighborhood Courts program addresses criminal violations that impact the quality of life in the community and provides an alternative to entering into criminal court.
The purpose of the program is to: reduce recidivism by understanding why people offend, address the harm the offense had on the victim (if applicable) and the community and, using restorative principles rather than punitive principles, effectively and efficiently restore the local community, victim and offender back into community.
HOW DOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD COURTS PROGRAM WORK?
Eligible cases are diverted by the District Attorney’s Office into the Neighborhood Courts program. While participation is voluntary and confidential, participants (the offenders) must be willing to take responsibility for their actions that caused harm. Victims are invited to participate on a voluntary basis. Trained community volunteers will become panelists and meet with the participant and victim (if applicable) in a relaxed, confidential space, in what is called a conference. During the Conference, volunteer panelists and the participant discuss:
- Harms caused to victim (if applicable) and community
- Root of why the crime happened
- Panelists and participant work together on a list of agreements that lead to restorative accountability goals that are specific, reasonable, attainable, and restorative to the participant, victim, and community.
- Once the participant successfully completes the agreement, the case will be dismissed. The participant is given a second chance because the conviction will not be on their record. If needed, the participants may be referred to additional services offered in the community. If a case is not resolved in Neighborhood Courts, it will be re-routed back to the District Attorney’s Office.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Are you interested in being a part of Neighborhood Courts?
Join our volunteer team! Neighborhood Courts volunteers are essential to the success of the program. Our volunteers serve as panelists. They are community members trained in restorative justice, cultural competency, effective communication, facilitation, and problem solving skills. The District Attorney’s Office strives to create a diverse group of volunteer panelists throughout the County of Santa Cruz who are from different diverse socioeconomic, cultural, gender, age, and professional backgrounds.
Requirements to become a volunteer panelist:
- Complete the application (coming soon)
- Pass a background check (Immigrant status will not be checked)
- Two-year time commitment (1 year if student)
- Attend 17+ hours of Panelist Training (training dates and times to be announced)
Commitment as a volunteer panelist:
- Attend monthly volunteer meeting (Currently held on the last Thursday of the month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
- Participate as an observer in a minimum of two Neighborhood Court Conferences
- Participate as a panelist in Neighborhood Court conferences approximately once every 2 months
- Participate in at least 4 of 8 additional trainings a year
** Volunteer panelists monthly time commitment is between 2-3 hrs. a month**
Training Dates (Locations TBD)
Monday August 14, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 16, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday August 17, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday August 19, 2023 - 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday August 21, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Want to apply?
Application Period - March 6, 2023 to June 1, 2023.
If you want to apply, please use the links below. If you print an application, you can mail or drop off a completed application at the District Attorney's Office, located at 701 Ocean Street Room 200 Santa Cruz CA 95060.
Click here for printable application | Click here to apply online