Juvenile Court Restorative Dialogue Programs

Victim Offender Dialogue Programs

Victim offender mediation, group conferencing and talking circles offer victims of crime a forum in which they may ask the offender questions related to the crime, share their feelings and the resulting impact of the harm caused by the crime and to have a voice in deciding what should happen to help to repair the harm done. Offenders have the opportunity to take personal responsibility for their actions and to make amends for their behavior directly to the victim and the community.

Victim offender dialogue helps to reinstate responsibility for crime prevention and resolution of crime with individuals, neighborhoods and communities. It promotes participation of all stakeholders affected by crime and provides a process in which all stakeholders are directly involved to repair harm and reach resolution.

Victim Offender Dialogue Programs are administered by local juvenile courts with assistance and support provided by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Department of the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts. All of the mediators and facilitators in the programs are volunteers from the community or court personnel. By utilizing community volunteers, the program costs are reduced and community involvement is broadened.

Community Volunteers in Logan practice facilitating a Restorative Group Conference	Community Volunteers in Logan practice facilitating a Restorative Group Conference
Community Volunteers in Logan discuss the concept of "Restorative Justice"	Community Volunteers in Logan practice conducting a "pre-meeting"

The Utah State Courts mission is to provide the people an open, fair, efficient, and independent system for the advancement of justice under the law.