overview | contact an Adult Justice Committee co-ordinator

| * Overview  top |

The Justice Committee Program is an "alternative justice" process for adults aged 18 to 24. The program aims to resolve some minor offences outside the formal court process. The program provides an opportunity for eligible accused persons to meet their victims face-to-face in the presence of trained community volunteer mediators.

The parties have an opportunity to talk about the incident, how they have been affected and to negotiate a resolution that addresses the harm caused.

WHO MAY QUALIFY?

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 with no, or limited, prior involvement in the adult courts system and who have been charged with minor offences.

HOW IS A PERSON REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM?

The Crown Attorney will notify the accused on their first court appearance if they may be considered eligible. The accused then meets with a Justice Committee Worker at court who will determine whether the accused meets the criteria of the program.

To be considered for the program an individual must:

• accept responsibility for the actions that led to the charge(s)

• be willing to meet the victim and the mediators to discuss the offence and how to address the harm caused

• be prepared to make amends for any harm caused. Ways this can be done may include: apologizing, paying restitution or completing volunteer work.

Being eligible to participate in the program does not mean the person is "getting off easy". It does mean that by successfully participating in the program, an individual can repair the harm caused to the victim and community outside the formal court process.

Participation is voluntary and the victim can withdraw from the process at any time.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

Once the accused and victim agree to participate in the program, two trained community volunteer mediators are assigned to the case.

The mediators will schedule a separate meeting with each participant to gather information and prepare each party for the mediation process.

On a separate date, the meeting among the participants will take place. During this process the incident is discussed along with the agreed remedy and timeframe for addressing the harm to the victim.

After an agreement is reached, the Justice Committee Worker reports back to the court confirming participation and completion of the terms of agreement.

| * Contact an Adult Justice Committee Co-ordinator  top |

To speak with an Adult Justice Committee Co-ordinator, please contact:

Michelle Shurland-Jadoo - 905-683-8615 ext 342 or email her at mshurlandjadoo@cjadurham.com.

If you are interested in becoming an Adult Justice Committee volunteer please contact CJA Durham.