Successful Four Cities Peer Court Volunteer Recognition Event
The Annual Four Cities Peer Court volunteer recognition event was held on Monday, June 4th at Fairview City Hall. Over 30 attendees celebrated the court's 4th anniversary. Community leaders in attendance included: Troutdale Police Chief Scott Anderson, Fairview Police Sargent Kurby, Glenna Hayes (Director for Center for Family Success), Jim Buck (Reynolds, Gresham-Barlow School District), and Carlos Romero (NW Family Services).
Appearing in photo (Left to right): Front row- Kim Harvey-Trigoso, Adina Kiriac, Alejandra Garcia, Shelley Keller (Peer Court Judge), Elizabeth Madera, Cindy Valenzuela, Amanda Catchpole, Kelsey Moore, Vikki Allen, Karlie Hansen. Back row - Chris Kennard, Kim Morgan, Bethany Janzen, Kevin Barrera, Madeline Au, Elijah Border, and Gabbi Schmitt.
At this event, the community recognized the following youth volunteers for their service:
Leadership Award - Chris Kennard, graduating Gresham High School senior, for his outstanding service to the court in the last 4 years
Peer Attorney of the Year - Adina Kiriac, Sam Barlow High School junior, served the most hours as attorney in 2011-2012
Juror of the Year - Maria Yerkes, graduating Gresham High School senior, served the most hours as juror in 2011-2012
Learn more about the Four Cities Peer Court on our YouTube channel!
GGAPP is proudly joining with police departments, schools, and the
juvenile justice departments in Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village and
Fairview to offer a Youth Peer Court. Youth Peer Court is a diversion
program that is designed to give youth with first-time, low-level law
violations a chance to repair harm and show accountability for their
actions without involvement in the juvenile justice system. For more
information about the need for and potential benefit of a Peer Court, Click Here To Download A Presentation By The Multnomah County Juvenile Justice System
When a youth is cited for a first-time low-level law violation
in Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village, the officer will
offer the option to enter the Peer Court instead of the juvenile
justice system. The youth must then agree to make an admission to the
law violation. Youth are required to engage a parent, guardian or other
pro-social adult in their pre-court interview and/ or Peer Court
proceeding. While in Peer Court the youth will be assigned a volunteer
student defense attorney (a peer) and a student prosecuting attorney.
Once the case is heard, the jury (also peers) decides what type of
accountability fits the law violation. The presiding judge, an adult
attorney who is licensed in Oregon, maintains order, guides the process
and oversees sentencing. Click Here To Learn Detailed Information about sentence types, court fees and fines and Accountability Assignments.
The goals of the project are to keep youth in school, support
drug/alcohol free youth, deter high-risk behavior, and provide
education about the legal system. Peer Court will operate at Fairview
City Hall two days a week. Cases range from 30-45 min. with up to three
cases occurring each day. Check our calendars for exact times, dates
and locations of trials and trainings. Future trainings and trials will
either be held at Gresham City Hall or Fairview City Hall.
Download Peer Court Brochure
GGAPP is proudly joining with police departments, schools, and the juvenile justice departments in Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, and Fairview to offer a Youth Peer Court. Youth Peer Court is a diversion program that is designed to give youth with first-time, low-level law violations a chance to repair harm and show accountability for their actions without involvement in the juvenile justice system. For more information about the need for and potential benefit of a Peer Court, click to download a presentation by the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice System.
