The Nome Youth Court gives first-time juvenile offenders the opportunity to keep their crime off the record by agreeing to go on trial before their peers. The Nome Youth Court is a restorative justice system approach in which sentences focus on rehabilitation and on repairing the damage their crimes cause to the community. Sentences promote responsibility much more than solely serving punishment. The recidivism rate for those who complete their sentence is much lower than those who are at the mercy of the traditional court system.
Student volunteers learn about the legal system and sit for a bar exam. Acting in the roles of judges, attorneys and other court personnel, these students conduct hearings and help their peers navigate this alternative to the legal process.
Each year the court attracts 10 to 15 students who train to perform the duties of the players in the adult system of justice in the state. Referrals come from the court system, the department of juvenile justice and from the school district. The number of hearings conducted in a given year.
Student volunteers learn about the legal system and sit for a bar exam. Acting in the roles of judges, attorneys and other court personnel, these students conduct hearings and help their peers navigate this alternative to the legal process.
Each year the court attracts 10 to 15 students who train to perform the duties of the players in the adult system of justice in the state. Referrals come from the court system, the department of juvenile justice and from the school district. The number of hearings conducted in a given year.
