COBB Student volunteers make Juvenile Peer Court possible

Court offers first-time juvenile offenders a justice alternative.

The Judiciary of Cobb County Juvenile Court held a swearing-in ceremony Oct. 15 for 63 student volunteers of the Cobb County Juvenile Peer Court.

This court is an alternative system of justice made up of high school students from the Cobb County School District, Marietta City School District, private schools and home school programs, according to a county statement.

Peer Court offers first-time juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 and 17 an opportunity to admit responsibility for their offenses and receive constructive sentencing from their peers.

Student volunteers serve as prosecuting and defense attorneys, jurors, bailiffs and court clerk. The only adult in the court process is the judge, whose role is to oversee the court proceedings.

Peer volunteers do not determine the guilt or innocence of juvenile offenders. Instead they recommend a constructive sentence for the juvenile defendant such as restitution, community service hours and/or counseling.

Any student in eighth through 12th grades is eligible to participate as a Peer Court volunteer.

A juvenile referred to Peer Court appears before a jury of peers and then is defended and prosecuted by those peers. Constructive sentencing with Peer Court includes principles of restorative justice and educational sessions designed to prevent future delinquent acts.

All student volunteers attend Peer Court Law School where they learn typical court procedures and receive peer court training with assistance from local attorneys and courthouse personnel. Peer volunteers can receive community service credit for their hours and submit their service hours to school for possible credit.

In itsthird year, 150 volunteers have served from all over Cobb County.

CONTRIBUTED BY COBB COUNTY Sixty-three student volunteers were sworn in Oct. 15 to serve on the Cobb County Juvenile Peer Court. The students serve as prosecuting and defense attorneys, jurors, bailiffs and court clerk. The only adult in the court process is the judge, whose role is to oversee the court proceedings.