| Orange County Peer Court
An early criminal activity prevention program held at high schools countywide, Peer Court involves an innovative process in which students serve as jurors and assign sanctions to first-time offenders (from high schools other than the Peer Court site) who have committed non-violent misdemeanors. Over 240 minors appear before Peer Court juries each year, as an alternative to entering the juvenile justice system. Peer Court combines the juror experience with a seven-lesson curriculum designed to educate students about the juvenile justice system and help them make responsible decisions. Thousands of students interact with judges, attorneys and probation officers in a positive, unique way.
Operating under the authority of the County of Orange, CRF-OC's Peer Court partners include Orange County Probation, Superior Court, Department of Education, District Attorney, high schools and law firms.
CRF-OC is dedicated to preparing the youth of Orange County for their role as active and responsible citizens. Our programs have made a substantial impact on the community. Peer Court has relieved case loads in juvenile court, is a low-cost diversion program (80% less expensive, per person, than formal probation) and has proven effective. A recent probation study indicated that 75% of the juveniles successfully completed their sanctions; of those, 96% had not re-offended when tracked for one year.
Want to see a Peer Court session in Action?
Click below on Judge Gray to see what all the talk is about.
Attention High School Teachers, Administrators and Schools: Interested in hosting a Peer Court session at your campus? Take a look at the school requirements and contact Wendy Townsend to receive a copy of the Peer Court curriculum and discuss arranging a session.
Peer Court Summer Sessions: Thank you to all those who participated in the Peer Court summer sessions on July 15 and August 5! Both sessions were a complete success with over 200 students participating. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
| Peer Court Participant Information |
Peer Court Minors and Families: Students who have been sent by their Probation Officer to appear before Peer Court. Please arrive at your scheduled session on time, check-in with the school's front office they will direct you to where Peer Court will be held. If you arrive after the session has started, your case will not be heard. Minors must bring a Legal Guardian with them to the Peer Court session. Peer Court is a real court; please dress appropriately, no children under the age of 10 should attend the session.
Peer Court Jurors (Probation): Students who have been sent by their Probation Officer or by a Peer Court Jury to attend Peer Court to serve as a Juror. Pick a session to attend from the Peer Court schedule; there is no sign up or registration (except for sessions in July & August). Please arrive at the Peer Court session on time. You must sign-in with a CRF-OC staff member before the session starts; the CRF-OC staff member will give you instructions on how you can fulfill you requirement. If you arrive after the session has started you may not be admitted. If you do not check-in before the session starts, you will not be guaranteed a spot on the Jury and may have to return to another session to complete your requirement.
Peer Court Jurors/Students: Students between the ages of 13-18 who would like to attend a Peer Court, may attend any session listed on the Peer Court schedule; there is no sign up or registration (except for sessions in July & August). For groups of 5 or more, please contact Wendy Townsend to arrange your participation.
| Peer Court Schedule, Forms & Volunteer Information |
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