Student Volunteers
Peer Court allows teen volunteers to act as a variety of roles in a real court room setting. Students participate in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed questioning, portraying a holistic view of one of the respondent. The process focuses on the respondent’s strengths and interests – and how they can move forward from the violation.
Real Cases
Peer Court cases involve teens – respondents – charged with low-level education or penal code violations. Participation allows the respondents to avert suspension or expulsion, avoiding permanent damage to their school records. Participants often return as jury members for other cases.
Positive Outcomes
Peer Court reimagines youth discipline and justice, leading to lower expulsion and suspension rates among underrepresented and underserved populations in local schools. It also allows participants to understand consequences in a friendlier environment than typical, adult-led systems of justice.
Sponsored by Lincoln Law School of San Jose
Stemming from a deep-rooted community need to mentor youth away from cycles of recrimination, Lincoln’s Peer Court program began in 2011 as a way to help divert first-time youth offenders from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system. Adult mentors from Lincoln Law School support the teen volunteers throughout the process.
