Peer Court
The Draper Peer Court offers an alternative approach to juvenile justice. Youths are referred for minor offenses and are sentenced by a jury of their peers. Peer Court is an alternative to Juvenile Court for many first-time offenders. The program has three components: court hearings, peer mentoring, and peer mediation. Peer Court volunteers are role models and mentors in the courtroom and the community. Youth serve in various capacities within the program: trained as peer jurors, bailiffs, clerks, and mentors. Advisors and students also receive extensive training on communication skills, questioning, state statutes, mentoring, conflict resolution, bias awareness, team-building activities, and courtroom processes.
The Peer Court receives their referrals from police officers; therefore the Draper Peer Court requires a close working relationship between the Justice Court and the Draper Police Department. Draper officers and a crime prevention specialist are the assigned liaisons from the police department. These officers work closely with Adult Peer Court Advisors with training, interviewing, and accepting peer panel members.
To become a Youth Peer Court volunteer, you must be in 10 - 12 grade, attend a high school in Draper, and/or be a Draper City resident. You must be able to attend Youth Court when scheduled. You must also pass a criminal background check. Peer Court Adult Advisor volunteers must also pass a criminal background check, be a Draper City resident, and be able to attend Youth Court when scheduled.
Interested in volunteering? Fill out a Peer Court Application and submit it to the Draper Police Department.