Cobb County offers Peer Court to first-time offenders between the ages of 12 and 17, using positive peer pressure to influence them for good.
The offender must admit responsibility for their offenses and receive constructive sentencing from their peers.
Peer volunteers do not determine guilt or innocence but instead recommend restitution, community service hours and/or counseling.
Then the offender returns to serve as a juror on Peer Court in another case and will have his/her record sealed.
Youth volunteers - students who are in eighth through twelfth grades in public, private or home schools - are needed to serve on Peer Court.
They will serve as prosecuting and defense attorneys, jurors, bailiffs and court clerks with a judge being the only adult involved in the court process to oversee the court proceedings.
All student volunteers will attend Peer Court Law School to learn typical court procedures and receive Peer Court training from local attorneys and courthouse personnel.
Information: Bridget Jones at 770-528-2042 or Bridget.Jones@CobbCounty.org.
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