Keizer Youth - Peer Court

Peer Court
“Youth Empowerment for Justice”

Keizer Youth Peer Court
930 Chemawa Road NE
Keizer, Oregon 97303
503-390-3700 Ext. 299
Cari Emery, Coordinator

How Peer Court Works:

A youth between 12-17 years old receives a citation from Law Enforcement Officer.

Juvenile Department:

1. Receives Citation Report
2. Report screened by Intake Office at Marion County Juvenile Department
3. Referral to Keizer Youth Peer Court

Peer Court:

1. Interview with Peer Court Coordinator. Offender must appear with parent or guardian at intake.
2. Offender and parent/guardian sign a contract admitting guilt.
3. Offender scheduled on court docket.
4. Presentation to Peer Jury regarding offense.
5. Disposition by Peer Jury.

Offender Compliance:

1. Completion of sentence when:
   • Sanctions are completed
   • Offender participated on Peer Jury
   • Record Dismissal
   • Record Expunged
2. Failure to complete sentence
   • Refer back to Juvenile Court
   • Sentence by Peer Court
   • Additional Juvenile Court Sanctions

When/Where:

• Weekly Intake Sessions
• Weekly and Monthly Court Sessions
• City of Keizer Council Chambers, 930 Chemawa Road NE, Keizer, OR

What Are Our Objectives?

1. Build personal accountability and develop responsible behavior among Middle and High School youth.
2. Provide an alternative response to juvenile justice system for first-time, non-violent, juvenile offenders who commit misdemeanors.
3. Educate youth and the community through orientation and training in the law, judicial processes, civic responsibility, and career opportunities.
4. Engage youth offenders and their peers by redirecting and problem solving behavior within a “legal system environment.”
5. Work to effectively discourage repeat offenses by encouraging community attachment and ensuring appropriate and timely response to juvenile offenders.
6. Use a restorative justice model to export and impose creative, constructive and effective sanctions that meet the needs of your offenders, families and the community.
7. Require juvenile offenders to experience “both sides of the fence,” through jury participation as a part of their sanctions.

Offender Requirements:

The Keizer Youth Peer Court is a diversion program for juveniles within the Keizer City limits who have been cited by local law enforcement authorities and who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Ages 12-17
• Residence within the boundary of the Keizer city limits

What Kinds Of Cases Do We Hear?

• MIP Tobacco (Minor in Possession)
• MIP Alcohol Consumption or Possession
• Possession Of Less Than 1 Ounce of Marijuana
• Unlawful Possession of Inhalants
• Helmet Law/Ordinance Infractions
• Curfew
• Criminal Trespass 1 & 2
• Criminal Mischief 2 & 3
• Harassment, Telephonic Harassment
• Disorderly Conduct
• False Information to a Police Officer
• Theft 2 & 3
• Traffic Offenses (15 years of age and younger)
• Misrepresentation of age
• Initiating a False Report, Misuse of 911
• Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle
• Other offenses not listed may be referred by Juvenile Department with an agreement by Peer Court.

Our Purpose

The Keizer Youth Peer Court is, and continues to build, a cohesive
community-based program of prevention and intervention for first-time youth offenders.

Youth, family and community members work together to promote personal community commitment, accountability, and responsibility.

Created In Partnership And In Cooperation With:

• City of Keizer
• Keizer Police Department
• Marion County Juvenile Department
• Keizer United
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office
• Salem Police Department
• Marion County Health Department A&D Prevention Services
• Community Action Drug Prevention Network
• Salem-Keizer School District