The Sacramento Youth Peer Court (SYPC) began in the fall of 1997 as a pilot project at two area high schools. In less than four years, the program has grown to 25 high schools, making it one of the largest programs in the United States. Thus far, SYPC has conducted trials for more than 200 juvenile offenders and has utilized approximately 5,000 student volunteers.

SYPC is a partnership that challenges the entire community to take an active role in solving juvenile crime. The focus of the program is on strong policing, youth accountability, and community-involved crime prevention. Peer Court works to divert youth from becoming entangled in the criminal justice system.

The Honorable James I. Morris helped to establish the Sacramento YouthPeer Court Program four years ago. He along with ten other judicial officers from the Sacramento County Superior Court currently volunteer their time to preside over the Peer Court sessions. The teens involved do the rest. They assume the roles of the prosecuting and defense attorneys, and receive invaluable training from volunteer professional attorneys. Teens also assume the roles of jurors, courtroom clerk and bailiff. Each participating high school recruits students to fulfill those roles, and Peer Court staff provides additional training and coordinates the sessions.

The process is structured just like real court. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the Probation Department, refers cases to Peer Court. The juvenile offender, who must admit responsibility for the offense, agrees to appear before a jury of his or her peers and be represented by teen "attorneys." Next, the jury decides what services and sanctions are in the best interest of the juvenile offender. The services and sanctions include serving two times on a peer court jury, individualized or family counseling, drug and alcohol diversion counseling, anger management and life skills/decision-making classes, restitution to the victim, community service and other tailored sanctions.

Juvenile offenders are monitored by Peer Court staff to ensure that they complete their services and sanctions. Offenders who fail to comply or who re-offend are referred back to Juvenile Court for further proceedings.

SYPC has adjudicated cases involving a wide range of misdemeanor and low-level felony offenses, including assault, assault with a deadly weapon, auto burglary, drunk and disorderly, petty theft, trespassing, battery, breaking and entering, conspiracy to commit fraud, credit card fraud, embezzlement from an employer, false ID to an officer, lewd conduct, obstructing an officer, reckless driving, terrorist threats, vandalism, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence.

Currently SYPC is in need of professional attorneys to assist in the training of "teen" attorneys. SYPC is seeking to obtain a pool of professionals for the peers to consult during preparations for various trials. Time requirements are minimal, however the rewards are endless. If interested, please contact John Barris or Ben Raju at (916) 363-9402, or e-mail peercourt@earthlink.net.