Juvenile Arbritration Program-Anderson County

Description

The Juvenile Arbitration Program is a community-based diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders charged with committing a nonviolent crime in Oconee and Anderson Countys. These youths are diverted from the juvenile justice system to an arbitration hearing conducted in or near the juveniles' community. Trained volunteer arbitrators conduct the hearings and monitor the juveniles's progress throughout the program. The juvenile's participation in the program is voluntary and requires an admission of facts or guilt. After determining the facts of the case, the arbitrator negotiates the appropriate action the juvenile must take to restore justice to his or her victim and community. Successful completion of the program enables the juvenile to make amends for his or her crime and avoid formal prosecution in Family Court.