RESTORATIVE TEEN COURT PROCEDURE FOR EXIT INTERVIEW

PRIOR TO TRIAL:

1. Check in with the Restorative Teen Court Staff at the Registration Desk. They will have you sign in, give you your nametag, and your assigned court case file. Familiarize yourself with the case information on left hand side of the file.

IN THE COURTROOM:

1. Introduce yourself to the respondent and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).

2. At the end of the hearing collect the Jury’s RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TEEN COURT CONSTRUCTIVE SANCTION SHEET from the Clerk of Court.

3. Observe the court proceeding for your case. You may use the STAFF MEMBER CHECKLIST for taking personal notes during the hearing.

4. Escort the parties to one of the small conference rooms, found outside the courtroom, for the exit interview.

EXIT INTERVIEW:

1. You will review all of the documents, which are attached to the right side on the inside of the folder. The top sheet will be the Staff Member Checklist to guide you through the process.

2. All of the constructive sanctions, which were recommended by Restorative Teen Court, are explained (dates, times, locations, costs, etc.). If there are questions you cannot answer, the Restorative Teen Court Coordinator is available for assistance.

3. The white sheets should be signed by all parties, and kept in the folder for Restorative Teen Court records. The colored sheets are copies for the respondent to take with them for their records.

4. After the interview, return the case folder to the Restorative Teen Court Coordinator.

SUGGESTIONS:

The mission of Restorative Justice Teen Court is to help juvenile offenders restore their relationships with the community through alternative methods of adjudicating minor juvenile offenses, including programs that teach responsibility and positive decision making and restore a sense of safety in the community.

Focus on the harms of wrongdoing more than on the rules that have been broken. Support respondents by encouraging them to understand, accept and carry out their obligations. Recognize that while obligations may be difficult for offenders, they are not intended as harms, but as an opportunity to restore relationships with their community.