Public Notice Detail
Twin Cities’ First Peer Court to Convene May 18
Posted: Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Peer Court is an alternative sentencing program in which juvenile offenders tell their stories to juries of their peers, who then recommend sentences that may include doing community service, completing alcohol or drug counseling, and serving as a juror in a future Peer Court. The court was established by Judge Poch to teach participants individual accountability and responsible decision-making skills.
“Peer Court is a lesson in life and it is a lesson in right and wrong,” Judge Poch said. “We need to find new and creative ways to cooperate with schools, parents and others if we are to succeed in stemming the tide of increasing juvenile crime, crowded court calendars and burgeoning criminal court dockets. Peer Court does that.”
Peer Court is available to Dakota County’s first-time juvenile offenders and for second-time property crime juvenile offenders. Minors are referred to Peer Court by schools, police departments and probation officers, at the discretion of the county attorney. Offenders must admit their guilt, waive and give up their rights to privacy and anonymity, agree to be bound by the sentence and waive their right to an attorney. If offenders decline to do so, they can be referred to juvenile court.
Court sessions are heard at a high school other than the one at which the offending student attends. Judge Poch and student jurors, advised by local volunteer attorneys, listen to the charges and the offenders’ side of the story. The offenders’ parents, who must attend Peer Court, may also be questioned, as may others impacted by the offenders’ actions.
After questioning, jurors and the volunteer attorneys who advise them leave the courtroom to discuss and recommend a sentence. Sentences cannot include jail time or fines. Presiding Judge Poch may choose to modify the recommendations and before he orders the offender to comply with the sentence, which includes up to six months of informal probation. Offenders who fail to complete their sentences are referred to the Dakota County Attorney for formal prosecution in juvenile court.
At the end of probation, cases are dismissed and the juveniles are eligible to have their records sealed once they turn 18 years old.
Jurors are trained with a curriculum developed by Judge Poch and modeled after a program in Orange County, Calif., Superior Court. Teacher training sessions are held throughout the year to help educate high school students about juvenile court and Peer Court.
Peer Court is a collaborative effort of the Juvenile Court Division of the District Court, Dakota County Community Corrections, the Dakota County Attorney and Dakota County school districts.
Court schedule:
What: Peer Court, the first of its kind in the Twin Cities area.
When: 3 p.m., Thursday, May 18, 2000. A brief photo session will take place promptly at 3 p.m. Media will be allowed to photograph the backs of student jurors as Judge Poch administers their oath. Peer Court hearings, during which photographs will be prohibited, will immediately follow the photo session.
Where: Hastings High School, 1000 11th St. West, Hastings.
Future court date: The second Peer Court will convene at 3 p.m. May 25 at Lakeville High School.