WHAT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD COURTS PROGRAM?

The Neighborhood Courts program is a community driven, pre-filing diversion program designed to divert low level misdemeanor offenses from entering the criminal justice system.

First time 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 Courts program addresses criminal violations that impact the quality of life in the community and provides an alternative to entering into criminal court.

The purpose of the program is to: reduce recidivism by understanding why people 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 community.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Are you interested in being a part of Neighborhood Courts?
Join our volunteer team! Neighborhood Courts volunteers are essential to the success of the program. Our volunteers serve as panelists. They are community members trained in restorative justice, cultural competency, effective communication, facilitation, and problem solving skills. The District Attorney’s Office strives to create a diverse group of volunteer panelists throughout the County of Santa Cruz who are from different diverse socioeconomic, cultural, gender, age, and professional backgrounds.

Requirements to become a volunteer panelist:

• Complete the application (coming soon)
• Pass a background check (Immigrant status will not be checked)
• Two-year time commitment (1 year if student)
• Attend 17+ hours of Panelist Training (training dates and times to be announced)

Commitment as a volunteer panelist:

• Attend monthly volunteer meeting (Currently held on the last Thursday of the month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
• Participate as an observer in a minimum of two Neighborhood Court Conferences
• Participate as a panelist in Neighborhood Court conferences approximately once every 2 months
• Participate in at least 4 of 8 additional trainings a year

** Volunteer panelists monthly time commitment is between 2-3 hrs. a month**

Training Dates (Locations TBD) 
Monday August 14, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 16, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
Thursday August 17, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday August 19, 2023 - 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday August 21, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Want to apply? 

Application Period - March 6, 2023 to June 1, 2023.

If you want to apply, please use the links below. If you print an application, you can mail or drop off a completed application at the District Attorney's Office, located at 701 Ocean Street Room 200 Santa Cruz CA 95060. 

Click here for printable application | Click here to apply online

"We all have made mistakes at one time or another in our lives. I too made a mistake, one that I thought would ruin my dreams of being a firefighter. I spent so much time worrying that I had potentially ruined future opportunities. The Neighborhood Courts program saved me and gave me a chance at redemption. Working with the panel allowed me to heal as well as participate in the choices moving forward that would allow me to help and heal those involved. Our mistakes will never define us as long as we learn from them. I want to thank Mrs. Elaine Johnson for all that she has done to help me and others like me in similar situations. Thank you!"
- Anonymous

"I feel very fortunate to have been considered for such an outstanding program. As a first- time offender (a hit and run parked automobile incident), I was given the opportunity to explain my situation and take responsibility by apologizing to the person I offended. Rather than a court appearance, I appeared by Zoom in front of several qualified volunteers on a panel who were supportive and non-condemning. Confidentiality is an important part of the program, and at all times I felt respected. The panel helped me come to a decision on how to make amends to the victim (an apology letter). Once completed. I was assured by the District Attorney that the conviction would not be on record. Neighborhood Court is indeed a worthy program, and I am very thankful it was offered to me."
- Anonymous