What is the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program?
The Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program (NRJP) is a community-driven, pre-filing diversion program designed to divert low-level misdemeanor offenses from entering the criminal justice system.
Offenders are given an opportunity to take responsibility and repair the harm they caused through a community-based process using restorative justice principles instead of a courtroom. The Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program addresses criminal violations that impact the quality of life in the community and are an alternative to entering into criminal court.
The purpose of the program is to reduce recidivism by understanding why offenders offend, address the harm the offense had on the victim (if applicable) and the community and, using restorative principles rather than punitive principles, effectively and efficiently restore the local community, victim, and offender back into the community.
How does the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program Work?
The District Attorney’s Office diverts eligible cases into the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program. While participation is voluntary and confidential, offenders must be willing to take responsibility for their actions that caused harm. Victims are invited to participate. A Panel of trained community volunteers meets with the offender and victim (if applicable) in a relaxed, confidential space, in what is called a Conference. During the Conference, volunteers, panelists, and offenders discuss harms caused to the victim (if applicable) and the community and the root of why the crime happened. Panelists and offenders work together to select specific, reasonable, attainable, and restorative directives to the offender, victim, and community.
Once the offender successfully completes the directives, the charge(s) will not be filed against the offender and there will be no record of conviction. If needed, the offender may be referred to additional services offered in the community. If a case is not resolved in the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program, it will be re-routed to the District Attorney’s Office for the regular court process.
Requirements to become a volunteer Panelist or Facilitator:
- 1. Complete the application
- 2. Pass a background check (Immigrant status will not be checked)
- 3. Complete volunteer Facilitator and Panelist training • Observe two Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program conferences
- 4. Two-year time commitment (1 year if student)