Peer Court Program Overview
Congratulations on your decision to volunteer for Peer Court in San Francisco!
Peer Court in San Francisco is part of a national movement of youth-led programs also known as youth courts and
teen courts. Youth and adult leaders work together with victims, families and community members on actual juvenile
justice cases and school discipline cases to offer Restorative Justice alternatives to the traditional juvenile justice
system.
By working to resolve these cases, you can help prevent community crime and violence, improve community safety,
and reduce arrests, suspensions and victimization in your school and neighborhood.
Peer Court is an excellent opportunity for youth to provide a positive change in their community, solve real problems,
gain skills, work with other local leaders, and help to keep their fellow students in school and out of the juvenile
justice system.
Position Description
Program Facilitator is a volunteer position. Program Facilitators will perform some or all of the following activities:
1. Practice restorative justice in their school or community
2. Facilitate small group conferences
3. Serve on the Peer Court
4. Work with victims of crime and community members
5. Lead a team of youth volunteers
6. Develop case plans for offenders and victims
7. Research community assets and needs
8. Perform peer mediation or youth court hearings
9. Serve on San Francisco commissions or other groups that may help promote Restorative Justice
10. Perform outreach to schools and community organizations to help establish Peer Court in the city
11. Recruit new members into the program from a variety of schools and neighborhoods
12. Design and implement community service projects
Expectations and Responsibilities
Program Facilitators will be expected to:
1. Be at least 12 years of age and live or attend school in San Francisco
2. Complete 24-36 hours of training and observation
3. Pass a skills test based on training
4. Commit to serve on Peer Court for at least 1 year
5. Maintain positive behavior at home, in the community and at school
6. Always maintain confidentiality about people and cases discussed in Peer Court
7. Work in a positive, productive fashion with all program participants and volunteers
8. Commit no crimes or offenses against people
9. Follow and support program ground rules
10. Maintain a 2.0 GPA and good standing in your academic classes
11. Complete summer training and school year service plan
12. Pass a background check with no convictions of offenses against youth (other restrictions may apply)
13. Other responsibilities and expectations as noted