What is the program objective?
This program is designed to help the child and family to deal with a problem situation in a corrective and constructive manner.  It also saves time and money throughout the entire court process.

How are Peer Jury personnel selected?
The Peer Jurors will be appointed by the City of Ottawa Peer Jury Coordinators.  These jurors are selected through an application and screening process.  Jurors will be recruited from local Middle and High Schools.  After being selected as a juror, training and orientation will be provided before assuming their duties.  After a suitable period, a former offender who has successfully completed a sentence may be invited to participate as a juror.  Such individuals make a great asset to the Peer Jury process.

Will any of my child's friends be on their Peer Jury?
A list of offenders is given to perspective jurors and they disqualify themselves from any case in which they personally know the offender and feel they cannot help come to an objective sentence.

What kinds of sentences are imposed?
The sentence usually involves a certain number of community service hours at an agency assigned by the Youth Service Bureau or by the Peer Jury Coordinators.  Sentences may also be projects related to the offenses, letters of apologies to victims, and monetary restitution for actual damages.

What is the attitude toward the offender?
All offenders appearing before the Peer Jury are treated with dignity and respect.  Demeaning attitudes and comments will not be tolerated.  The objective of the program is to develop a sense of accountability and responsibility by the offender.

Who outside the police department and Peer Jury know that my child is serving a sentence?
No one, except for the supervisor of the community service agency, who has a direct relationship with the sentence.  Offenders are identified only as "volunteer workers".  The Peer Jury records and proceedings are kept confidential.  A suspected violation of the confidentiality results in the dismissal from the program of the violator.  No list of offenders appearing before the Peer Jury is published, and the press is not allowed to report on individual cases.

How long will the Peer Jury hearing take?
It will vary based on the number of cased scheduled on the hearing date.  The latest any hearing should last is 10:00 P.M.  This is not any different from the amount of time that could be spent in criminal or juvenile court.

For additional information on the City of Ottawa Peer Jury Program, contact Peer Jury Coordinators Sgt. Robert Anderson or Ofc. Louis Riva at (815)433-2131.