Peer Court

Goal of the Peer Court Program

The Peer Court program is created to provide a means by which low-level, first-time juvenile offenders may be diverted from the traditional school punishments into a program where they will be held accountable for their misconduct through punishment imposed by their peers and where they will have a better opportunity to learn about the judicial system through their direct involvement as a trial juror.

Peer Court also provides a means by which a broad segment of high school-aged students may learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals in our legal system so that they make more informed choices in the way they conduct their personal lives.

Although only ninth-grade students will be presented the juvenile justice system curriculum, all interested 9-12 grade students are eligible to participate in actual Peer Court proceedings. After being trained by professionals, they may participate as bailiffs, jurors, district attorneys or public defenders.