Program Packet - Center for Court Innovation

Transcription

Program Packet
A Division of the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.
Table of Contents
Program Overview:
About Neighborhood Court………………………………………………………….………….1
Common Qualifying Offenses……………………...…………………………………………..2
About Our Volunteers……………………………….…………………………………………..4
Volunteer FAQs…………….………………………..…………………………………………..5
Conference Documents:
Contact Notice…………………………………………………………………………………...7
Letter to Participant……………………………….………………………………………...…..8
Offender Fee Memo…..………………………………………………………………………...9
Confidentiality Agreement Form………………………………………………………….......10
Davis Agreement Form……...…………………………………………………………….......11
West Sacramento Agreement Form………………………..………..……………………....13
Woodland Agreement Form…………………………….......………..……………………....15
Writing Form Supplement…………………………………..……………………………..…..17
Menu of Options – All County…...………………………..…………..……………………....19
Participant Post-Conference Evaluation……….…………..………..………………....…....27
Panelist Post-Conference Evaluation……….…………..…………...……………………....28
Apology Letter Template……...………………………………….…………………....….......29
Assignment Verification Form……...……………………….………………………….…......30
Completion Notices………………………………………………………………………….....31
Volunteer Forms:
Panelist Application……………….……….…………..……………..………….…………....34
Facilitator Application…………………..….…………..……………..…………….………....36
Panelist Code of Conduct…………………..….……………………..……………………....39
Facilitator Code of Conduct…………………..……….….…………..……………………....43
Media & Press:
2014 Year-End Report…………………..……………..……………..……………....……....47
JAG Press Release..…………………..………...……..……………..……………………....58
Neighborhood Court Quarterly…...…..……….…………….………..……………...……....59
Newspaper Articles………………….……...…………..……………..……………...……....65
About Neighborhood Court
Neighborhood Court is a restorative justice program initiated by the Yolo County
District Attorney’s office in cooperation with the Davis, UC Davis, and West
Sacramento, and Woodland Police Departments. Neighborhood Court seeks to
address nonviolent and low level crimes through community-based solutions to
swiftly redress the harm caused by these offenses outside of the traditional
criminal justice system. The purpose of this program is to address criminal
violations that impact the quality of life of our neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Court utilizes restorative justice concepts which identify crime as
acts that cause harm done to people and communities. Neighborhood Court
emphasizes the offender repairing that harm done to the individual and the
community. Another goal of Neighborhood Court is for all parties to understand
the root cause of the crime so that the victim, community and offender can move
forward in a positive direction. Neighborhood Court strengthens neighborhoods
impacted by criminal activity in four ways:
Restore Victim
Neighborhood Court is victim centered by placing emphasis on the victim’s
needs. It is focused on offenders making things right to the greatest extent
possible with their victims. Offenders pay restitution to victims who have suffered
monetary losses or property damage.
Restore Community
Neighborhood Court creates an atmosphere of inclusion and responsibility by
providing a direct role for residents to oversee the resolution of offenses in their
city. When appropriate the offender will complete community service that goes
directly to improving conditions in the area impacted by the crime.
Restore Offender
Neighborhood Court offers offenders a second chance by avoiding a criminal
conviction on their record upon successful completion of the program. Offenders
are also restored by helping them understand the consequence of their actions
and by giving them the opportunity to pay back the community they harmed
through community service.
Educate Offender
Neighborhood Court educates offenders by helping them understand why they
committed the offense which led to their current situation. Offenders can be
educated in alcohol use, anger management, and how to be considerate to their
community, as well as other topics designed to change or modify their behavior.
Page 1
Yolo County Neighborhood Court
The below are the qualifying offenses for Neighborhood Court.
Business & Professions Code
25620
Possess Open Container
25658(d)
Drinking on Premises
25659(c)
Possession of Keg w/o ID tag
25661
False Evidence of Age, Person Under 21
25662(a)
Minor in Possession
22435.2
Shopping Cart Offenses
Penal Code
242
372
374
374.3
374.4
374(a)
403
415
484/488
529.5(c)
537
594
602
626.6
626.7
647(c)
647(e)
647(f)
647(h)
Battery
Public Nuisance
Littering
Dumping on Roadway
Littering on Private Property
Urinating in Public
Disrupt Public Meeting
Disturbing the Peace
Petty Theft (also includes 490.5)
Possession of Forged/Altered Identification Card
Defrauding an Innkeeper
Vandalism
Trespassing
Disrupt Campus
Failure to Leave Campus
Accosting Person for Purpose of Begging
Lodging on Public/Private Property without Permission
Drunk in Public
Loitering/Prowling
Vehicle Code
21200.5
Biking Under the Influence
23224(a)
Driver Under 21 Knowingly Operating a Vehicle Carrying Alcohol
23224(b)
Passenger Under 21 Possessing Alcohol in Vehicle
Davis Municipal Code
24.05.010
Noise complaint
26.04.020
Open Container
26.01.050
Public Urination
Yolo County Codes
5-4.02
Public Consumption of Alcohol
5-13.04(a)
Prohibit Display of Private Parts
6-7.02(a)
Littering
6-7.03
Deposit Contaminant in Public
Page 1 of 2
NHC Common Qualifying Offenses Revised 6/2/15
Page 2
West Sacramento Municipal Code
8.36.030
Camping on Public Property
8.36.040
Camping on Private Property
9.08.020
Consumption From/Possession of Open Container on Public Property
9.08.020
Consumption From /Possession of Open Container on Private Parking Lot
9.08.040
Offering or Furnishing Alcoholic Beverage for Consumption
9.28.030
Aggressive Solicitation
Woodland Municipal Code
7-3
Camping on Public Property
7-4
Camping on Private Property
15-26 (c)
Loud Party
15-26 (l)
Barking Dog
15-28
Alcohol in a Park
15-29
Alcohol in Public
The below Code violations may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
Business & Professions Code
25658(a)
Furnishing Alcohol to Underage Adult
Penal Code
148(a)
148.9
308
459.5
466
485
496
626.10
21510
21810
22020
22210
Resisting Arrest (Lt approval required)
False Representation of Identity to Police Officer
Sale of Tobacco Product to Minor
Shoplifting
Possession of Burglary Tools
Appropriation of Lost Property
Possession of Stolen Property
Bringing or Possessing Weapons on School Grounds
Possess switchblade
Possess Metal Knuckles
Possess Nunchaku
Possess Billy, Sap, Slungshot, ... .
Vehicle Code
20002(a)
Hit and Run
2800
Failure to Comply with Lawful Order
23109(c)
Exhibition of Speed
Page 2 of 2
NHC Common Qualifying Offenses Revised 7/22/15
Page 3
Neighborhood Court Volunteers
Each Neighborhood Court conference includes the person who committed an
offense, the victim (when applicable), one Facilitator and 2-3 Panelists.
Neighborhood Court Facilitators play an important leadership role in the
program. Their duties include leading pre-conference meetings with victims
(when participating), offenders, and community panelists in order to prepare all
parties for restorative dialogue during the joint conference. During the conference
the Facilitator guides participants through a restorative 3-Step Process in which
victims, offenders and community panelists 1) name the harms created by the
crimes in question; 2) determine how to make things as right as possible, and; 3)
develop a specific agreement that clearly states how things will be made right
and declares future intentions to assure that the actions will not be repeated.
Neighborhood Court Panelists play a very important supportive role within the
program. Panelists represent the community's needs, interests, and perspectives
with respect to the crime(s) committed. Panelists agree to meet with the offender
in a face-to-face conference facilitated by a trained, neutral mediator (the
Facilitator). During the conference, Panelists 1) name the harms the community
experiences as a result of the crime, 2) ask questions seeking to understand the
circumstances around the crime, and 3) decide, together with the offender, the
steps that are necessary to make things right (as much as possible). This faceto-face dialogue is designed to encourage accountability on the part of the
offender and to arrive at the steps necessary to remedy the situation as fully as
possible.
Neighborhood Court strives to maintain a diverse pool of representatives from
different segments of the UC Davis, Davis, Woodland, and West Sacramento
communities (e.g., business, residential neighborhoods, students, etc.).
Applicants need only the ability to work with others to solve problems, a
willingness to learn how to apply restorative justice concepts to solve problems,
and familiarity with the community and culture of their neighborhoods. Both
positions receive in-depth training on the principles of restorative justice as well
as the specific roles and duties of each position. All applicants undergo a
Livescan criminal history background review and complete a code of conduct
agreement designed to protect the integrity of the Neighborhood Court hearing,
participants and process. Applicants cannot have any felony convictions or
recent misdemeanor convictions.
Page 4
Neighborhood Court
Volunteers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Neighborhood Court?
A: Neighborhood Court is a Restorative Justice Program initiated by the Yolo County District Attorney in
cooperation with local city governments and Police Departments. Neighborhood Court addresses nonviolent and low
level crimes through community-based solutions. The purpose of this program is to address criminal violations that
impact the quality of life in our communities.
In Neighborhood Court, volunteer Facilitators and Panelists, trained in the principles of Restorative Justice,
participate in conferences with criminal offenders and victims (when participating) to address the harms caused by
criminal violations. Together, they seek to reach an Agreement on how to make things right in a restorative setting
that allows the harm caused by these offenses to be swiftly resolved outside of the traditional criminal justice
system.
Q: How are the principles of Restorative Justice utilized?
A: Restorative Justice defines crime as acts that cause harm to people and communities. Neighborhood Court
emphasizes the offender’s reparation of the harm done to the individual and/or the community. Another goal of
Neighborhood Court is for all parties to understand the root cause of the crime so that the victim, community and
offender can move forward in a positive direction. Neighborhood Court strengthens neighborhoods impacted by
criminal activity in four ways:
Restore Victim - Neighborhood Court is victim centered and places emphasis on the victim’s needs. It is focused on
offenders making things right to the greatest extent possible with their victims. Offenders pay restitution to victims
who have suffered monetary losses or property damage.
Restore Community - Neighborhood Court creates an atmosphere of inclusion and responsibility by providing a
direct role for residents to oversee the resolution of offenses in their city. When appropriate the offender will
complete community service that goes directly to improving conditions in the area impacted by the crime.
Restore Offender - Neighborhood Court offers offenders a second chance by avoiding a criminal conviction on their
record upon successful completion of the program. Offenders are also restored by helping them understand the
consequence of their actions and by giving them the opportunity to pay back the community they harmed through
community service.
Educate Offender -Neighborhood Court educates offenders by helping them understand why they committed the
offense which led to their current situation. Offenders can be educated in alcohol use, anger management, and how
to be considerate to their community, as well as other topics designed to change or modify their behavior.
Q: What is the role of a Panelist?
A: Panelists play an important supportive role within the Neighborhood Court program. They represent the
community's needs, interests, and perspectives with respect to the crime(s) committed. Panelists agree to meet with
the offender in a face-to-face conference facilitated by a trained, neutral mediator. During the conference, panelists
1) name the harms the community experiences as a result of the crime, 2) ask questions seeking to understand the
circumstances around the crime, and 3) decide, together with the offender, the steps that are necessary to make
things right (as much as possible). This face-to-face dialogue is designed to encourage accountability on the part of
the offender and to arrive at the steps necessary to remedy the situation as fully as possible.
Page 5
Q: What is the role of a Facilitator?
A: Facilitators play an important leadership role in the program. Their duties include leading pre-conference
meetings with victims (when participating), offenders and community panelists in order to prepare all parties for
restorative dialogue during the joint conference. During the conference the Facilitator guides participants through a
restorative 3-Step Process in which victims, offenders and community Panelists: 1) name the harms created by the
crimes in question; 2) determine how to make things as right as possible, and; 3) develop a specific agreement that
clearly states how things will be made right and declares future intentions to assure that the actions will not be
repeated.
Q: What qualifications do I need?
A: We ask that volunteers meet a few requirements to ensure that they are familiar with the community and
appropriate for this program:

Reside or work in the community for a minimum of three years and be familiar with different
neighborhoods.

Ability to work with others to solve problems.

Complete a Live-Scan prior to participation and must have no felony convictions or recent misdemeanor
convictions.

Ability to commit to participation in the program for two years (students one year).
Q: What is the time commitment for Neighborhood Court volunteers?
A: Training is the largest time commitment for Neighborhood Court. Volunteers will be asked to attend a 1 day
(Panelist) or 2 day (Facilitator) training course on Restorative Justice Concepts and the Neighborhood Court
process, as well as an informational pre-training meeting and mock conference role play training. The total time
commitment during training is approximately 14 (Panelist) -22 (Facilitator) hours.
Once training is complete, volunteers typically serve 2 nights or 6hrs per month.
Q: How can I find out more or apply to volunteer?
A: To find out more, visit our website www.yoloda.org/nc, email neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org, or call
530.666.8378 and speak to the Neighborhood Court Clerk.
Page 6
OFFICE OF THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF YOLO
JEFF W. REISIG
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
________________________________________________
____________,
You are receiving this notice regarding cite/rpt # _______, issued to you on (date) _____.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s office has determined that you may be eligible to
participate in the Neighborhood Court Diversion program for the speedy resolution of
your citation/charge.
Neighborhood Court is an alternative to the traditional court process. Upon successful
completion of Neighborhood Court there will be no conviction on you record and your
case will be closed with no further action taken by the Court.
In Neighborhood Court you will meet with community volunteers in a mediation process
which utilizes the principles of restorative justice. This process is called a Conference,
and is completely confidential. If you participate in this program you will not need to
attend your previously assigned court date. There are no judges or juries involved, and
this process is not meant to determine guilt or innocence. By participating in this process
you accept the charge on your citation/arrest report.
Neighborhood Court is a voluntary program. If you are interested in pursuing this option
as a means of resolving your charge, you will need to contact the Neighborhood Court
Clerk, using the contact information provided below, to confirm your desire to participate
in the program and begin the scheduling process.
A representative from Neighborhood Court may also attempt to contact you via phone or
email prior to the court date of __/__/__ provided on your original citation/NTA in order
to confirm your participation in the program. Please note, contact attempts may be made
outside of normal business hours. If you fail to confirm participation in the program
(either by initiation of / or response to this contact) within 21 days of your assigned court
date, your case will be referred back to the appropriate agency for charging.
If you have an attorney, direct them to contact Deputy District Attorney Christopher
Bulkeley regarding this option. Thereafter, all future communication regarding your case
will be directed to your attorney. To confirm participation:
Call:
530.666.8378 Neighborhood Court Clerk
530.681.6323 DDA Chris Bulkeley
Email: NeighborhoodCourt@yolocounty.org
For additional program info, visit: www.yoloda.org
Page 7
OFFICE OF THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF YOLO
JEFF W. REISIG
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
____________________________________________________
[Re: Report/Citation # YY-####]
[Offender name],
Welcome to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Neighborhood Court (NHC) pre-charging
diversion program. NHC is voluntary and confidential. This letter confirms your decision to
participate in NHC. Any and all information you disclose pertaining to this case in connection with
your participation in NHC will remain confidential, including previous telephone conversation(s).
You will be participating in a NHC conference in a community setting, which will consist of a
discussion between you, the Victim (if applicable), and community member volunteers. The content
of the conference, and all pre-conferences, other discussions leading up to the conference, and the
conference itself, is confidential. It is crucial to the restorative justice process that you have an open,
honest discussion at your conference. To further this goal the District Attorney’s Office agrees not
to use any potentially incriminating statements against you in a criminal court proceeding derived
from this case if you later opt out of the program or fail the program. You will be required to
discuss the harms to the community and yourself from your conduct, so if you believe you are
innocent, this program is not a suitable option for you.
The District Attorney’s Office and community member volunteers will not make public comments
on the merits of your case or their private opinions about your case. Information obtained during
the course of your participation in NHC will not be used for any personal or professional purposes,
except information may: (1) Be disclosed to the District Attorney’s Office, Facilitators, Panelists, and
trainers for any purpose related to this program; (2) Be used for educational and training
purposes, however your name and information that would reveal your identify will not be disclosed;
and (3) Be disclosed to other programs utilized by you as part of your written agreement prepared
during your conference.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Neighborhood Court Deputy District
Attorney, Chris Bulkeley, at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully,
Christopher Bulkeley
Deputy District Attorney
Yolo County District Attorney
530.666.8202 [desk]
530.681.6323 [cell]
christopher.bulkeley@yolocounty.org [email]
Neighborhood Court Letter to Participant MM/DD/YYYY
Page 8
Memo
To: Neighborhood Court Facilitators
From: Neighborhood Court Staff
Re: Fee Waiver and Payment Plan Options
Fees for Neighborhood Court are $350.00 for misdemeanor level offenses* and $120.00
for infraction level offenses (*YCC 5-4.02 [open container] is charged at the infraction
level cost). Payment is requested in the form of a Money Order or Cashier’s Check. Cash,
Credit/Debit, or Personal Check are not acceptable forms of payment. Payment plans are
available for all participants. Fee waivers may be available in certain situations, if the
participant can provide proof that they are currently receiving public assistance, such as
CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps), CalWORKS (Cash Assistance), General Assistance,
and Medi-Cal. If a participant has any questions related to fee payment options please
direct them to contact Neighborhood Court Attorneys Jennifer Davis or Chris Bulkeley
(contact info below). Please do not attempt to determine eligibility for fee waivers or
discuss payment details with participants. Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Neighborhood Court Staff
530.666.8202 [desk]
530.681.6323 [cell]
christopher.bulkeley@yoloco
unty.org
Jennifer Davis
530.406.4513 [desk]
Nicole Kirkaldy
Neighborhood Court Clerk
530.666.8378 [desk]
530.681.3008 [cell]
jennifer.davis@yolocou
nty.org
530.402.4454 [cell]
nicole.kirkaldy@yolocou
nty.org
Page 9
Last, First
Neighborhood Court
Confidentiality Agreement
The Neighborhood Court (NHC) conference is a discussion in a community setting designed to
address crime between the Offender, Victim, and residents. The content of this discussion, and
all pre-conferences leading up to this conference, is confidential.
I shall not make public comments on the merits of a pending matter or my private opinion about
this case. I shall not use any information obtained in the course of this case and conversations
about this case for any personal or professional purposes. I shall not disclose any information
received in the course of my participation in today's conference to any person or entity, except as
specified below.
The content of NHC discussions may (1) Be disclosed to the District Attorney’s office,
Facilitators, Panelists, and trainers for any purpose related to this program; (2) Be used for
educational and training purposes, however the Offender’s and Victim’s names or information
which would reveal their identity shall not be disclosed; and (3) Be disclosed to other programs
utilized by the Offender as part of his or her written agreement prepared during this conference.
Should the Offender fail to complete the terms of his or her written agreement, a criminal case
may be filed. However, no information disclosed in the NHC process, including this conference,
shall be used against the Offender in a criminal case filed as a result of the following
citation/police report which is the subject of this conference:
DPD / UCDPD / WSPD / WPD / YCSO Report/Citation Number: YY-####
Name
Signature
Date
Neighborhood Court Confidentiality Agreement MM/DD/YYYY
Page 10
DAVIS NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
Yolo County District Attorney’s Office
#CaseNo
AGREEMENT
Name of Victim:
Name of Offender:
Offense:
Offense Date:
Conference Date:
We could not agree on how to best address the offense. Please refer the matter back to the District
Attorney.
RESTORE EQUITY (Needs and concerns related to what happened)
We agree that harms have been recognized, restored, and future intentions clarified. Upon payment
of the Neighborhood Court fee, this case is closed.
We affirm that __________ agrees to complete the following:
To write and forward (number of letters) _____ apology letter(s) to the Center for Intervention (CFI)
by (date) ___ / ___ / ___ as indicated in attached Writing Assignment form.
A copy of the above-mentioned document(s) will be made available to the Facilitator and Panelists involved in this Agreement.
To write and forward (number of papers/essays) _____ research paper(s)/essay(s) to the Center for
Intervention (CFI) by (date) ___ / ___ / ___ as indicated in attached Writing Assignment form.
To complete the following other project described below and forward proof of completion of project
to the Center for Intervention (CFI) by (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Describe:
To work ______ hours / shifts (circle one) of Community Service for:
And to contact the organization by (date) ___ / ___ / ___ and complete service by (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
To pay restitution in the amount of $ _______________ to _____________________________ by
(date) ___ / ___ / ___.
No restitution necessary. Explanation:
CFI PHONE: 707.429.2411, EMAIL: yncourt@gmail.com, MAIL: CFI, ATTN: NHC, PO BOX 699, Fairfield, CA 94533
Page 11
To contact the UC Davis Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) program no later than
(date) ___ / ___ / ___, and schedule an appointment to meet with the ATOD Program Intervention Services
Coordinator as soon as the Coordinator is available and to participate in ATOD programs as directed by the
ATOD Program Intervention Services Coordinator.
To meet with the ATOD Program Intervention Services Coordinator as directed and comply
with the educational/counseling plan developed therein through (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Initial Here:
I understand that a copy of both the Police Report and this Agreement will be
forwarded to the ATOD Program Intervention Services Coordinator to assist him/her in
developing an appropriate education/counseling plan.
To contact the UC Davis Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program no later than
(date) ___ / ___ / ___, to schedule an appointment to meet with a CAPS Counselor as soon as the
Counselor is available.
To meet with the CAPS Counselor as directed and comply with the plan developed by the
Counselor through (date) ___ / ____ / ___.
To complete the following Center for Intervention (CFI) program(s) by (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Anger Management Component (7 hrs)
Goal-Directed Behavior (home study, 7 hrs)
Drug and Alcohol Component (2 hrs)
Stress Management Component (7 hrs)
To complete the following Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) program(s) by
(date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Victim Impact Panel (VIP) (2hrs)
Start Making A Right Turn (SMART) (3hrs)
includes VIP
To attend ____ sessions of the following by (date) ___ / ___/ ___.
Al Anon
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alateen
Secular Organizations for
Sobriety (SOS)
SMART Recovery
Women for Sobriety (WFS)
To attend _____ sessions of meditation at the Davis Shambhala Meditation Center (DSMC) by
(date) ___ / ___ / ___.
___________________ has asked for help/assistance with the following concerns:
IN CONCLUSION
We talked about the importance of completing this agreement and how it would help to rebuild trust.
We further understand that failure to abide by the terms of this agreement will, most importantly, cause
further harm to the victim/community and violate what we have agreed to do for one another. It may also
lead to further accountability, sanctions, and could lead to the District Attorney initiating criminal charges
against the offender in criminal court.
PARTICIPANT SIGNATURES
Offender Signature
Victim Signature
Facilitator Signature
Panelist Signature(s)
Page 12
WEST SACRAMENTO NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
#CaseNo
AGREEMENT
Name of Victim:
Name of Offender:
Offense:
Offense Date:
Conference Date:
Attorney.
We affirm that
agrees to complete the following:
Describe:
(date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Page 13
Goal-Directed Behavior (home study, 7
hrs)
To complete the following Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) program(s) by (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
includes VIP
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
SMART Recovery
IN CONCLUSION
further harm to the victim/community and violate what we have agreed to do for one another. It may also lead
to further accountability, sanctions, and could lead to the District Attorney initiating criminal charges against the
offender in criminal court.
Offender Signature
X
Victim Signature (when applicable)
X
X
X
X
X
Page 14
WOODLAND NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
#CaseNo
AGREEMENT
Name of Victim:
Name of Offender:
Offense:
Offense Date:
Conference Date:
Attorney.
We affirm that __________ agrees to complete the following:
Describe:
(date) ___ / ___ / ___.
Page 15
Goal-Directed Behavior (home study, 7
hrs)
To complete the following Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) program(s) by (date) ___ / ___ / ___.
includes VIP
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
SMART Recovery
IN CONCLUSION
further harm to the victim/community and violate what we have agreed to do for one another. It may also lead
to further accountability, sanctions, and could lead to the District Attorney initiating criminal charges against the
offender in criminal court.
Offender Signature
X
Victim Signature (when applicable)
X
X
X
X
X
Page 16
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Name of Offender:
Conference Date:
Conference Location:
Davis / West Sacramento / Woodland (circle one)
APOLOGY LETTER(S)
We affirm that the above-named Offender agrees to complete the following:
Write an apology letter to each of the recipient(s) listed below and forward to the Center for Intervention
(CFI), by (date) ___ / ___ /___.
Recipient #1:
Recipient #2:
____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
__________ Pages(s)
__________ Pages(s)
Topic Points:
Topic Points:
1. ___________________________________________
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
Provide mailing address to CFI.
Recipient #3:
Recipient #4:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
__________ Pages(s)
__________ Pages(s)
Topic Points:
Topic Points:
1. ___________________________________________
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
Page 17
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Name of Offender:
Conference Date:
Conference Location:
Davis / West Sacramento / Woodland (circle one)
RESEARCH PAPER/ESSAY
We affirm that the above-named Offender agrees to complete the following:
Write and forward a (# of pages) ______ page research paper/essay (circle one) to the Center for Intervention
(CFI), by (date) ___ / ___ /___.
Topic Points:
1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Information:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 18
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT MENU OF OPTIONS
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Letter(s) of Apology can be helpful if the Offender does not know the victim personally, or if the panel feels it is
important for the Offender to apologize to the Victim or someone else in a formal way. Letters of Apology can
also help the Offender sort out his/her feelings about his/her actions, and understand the consequences of making
poor choices. The agreement should specify the length of the apology by either word or page counts.
Research Papers can be helpful by educating the Offender on the impact of the incident. As part of the agreement
Offenders can type a paper and provide a bibliography to cite the resources used (i.e., internet, books, periodicals,
etc.) to explore the impact and consequences on both the Community and the Offender. Research papers can
assist Offenders with an opportunity for further reflection concerning the harms of their actions, or help come to
an understanding of various public policy reasons behind the law that was broken. The agreement should specify
the length of the paper by either word or page counts.
CENTER FOR INTERVENTION (CFI) PROGRAMS (Open to Everyone)
Goal-Directed Behavior
7 hours
CFI’s workbook aims to help participants understand and correct the faulty thinking and reasoning that
contributed to their offense. The program teaches Offenders how to take responsibility for their behavior,
realistically judge their self-worth and the worth of others, and assess the consequences of their behavior with
respect to their ultimate goals. This is a good option for Offenders who are not UCD students or have committed
crimes like petty theft that are not addressed by other programs.
Anger Management Component (Classroom)
7 hours
This program offers participants a basic understanding of the dynamics of anger while providing them with
strategies to prevent aggressive behavior. Examples of such strategies include learning how and when to take a
"time out", and ways of utilizing effective communication skills while under emotional duress. This and other
classroom courses are offered once a month, if there is sufficient demand, in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Davis.
Stress Management (Classroom)
7 hours
Participants will learn how to identify their internal and external stressors, and how to recognize the difference
between adaptive and maladaptive responses. They will develop a Personal Stress Management plan that will
assist them in appropriately handling stressful situations.
Drug and Alcohol Component (Classroom)
2 hours
Participants will learn how different classes of drugs are identified, for example, stimulants vs. depressants, and
their psycho-pharmacological effects on the individual. The participants will also learn how to differentiate
between the levels of drug/alcohol usage from experimentation to addiction. Treatment options are suggested for
people that fall into the latter category.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences with each other in an
effort to solve their common problem and aid the recovery process. The only requirement for membership is a
desire to stop drinking. The primary purpose of participation in AA is to achieve and maintain sobriety, and aid
others in pursuit of the same.
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AA meetings are held nightly, at a variety of times and locations in the area, including:




96 W. Main Street in Woodland, CA (12pm Mon-Sat, 6pm Sun, Mon, Wed-Fri)
1040 Soule Street in West Sacramento, CA (7pm Sat/Sun, 12pm Mon-Sat, 6pm Mon-Wed & Fri)
640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis, CA (Mon/Wed 6:30pm, Thur-Sat 7pm w/ Fri night youth program)
For a complete list of locations and meeting times, please visit: http://www.aasacramento.org
AL-ANON / ALATEEN
Al-Anon is a mutual support group of peers who share their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles to
problems related to the effects of a problem drinker in their lives. It is not group therapy and is not led by a
counselor or therapist; this support network complements and supports professional treatment.
Alateen is a peer support group for teens who are struggling with the effects of someone else’s problem drinking.
Many Alateen groups meet at the same time and location as an Al-Anon group. Alateen meetings are open only to
teenagers.
No advance notification or written referral is necessary to attend an Al-Anon or Alateen meeting. Anyone
affected by someone else’s drinking is welcome to attend.

AA: Davis Young People’s Group - Friday 7:00 - 8:30 PM, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 640
Hawthorne Ln. (Off Sycamore).

Alateen: 510 Arthur St, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 758-6907
MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING (MADD)
SMART Program
3 hours
MADD developed the Start Making a Right Turn (SMART) program, specifically for individuals under the age
of 21. The program’s primary goal is to educate teens about the dangers of underage drinking, its consequences in
their development and decision-making, and its impact on their future goals as well as the lives of others. It
promotes responsibility and accountability for one’s actions. Pre- and Post-tests are given to determine increased
knowledge and perceptions around program topics. Education is emphasized to help reduce teen recidivism. This
option is ideal for underage and/or non-UCD students.
Victim Impact Panel
2 hours
MADD Victim Impact Panels (VIPs) are designed to help offenders understand the impact of their crimes on
victims and communities. VIP’s can provide a nonjudgmental forum for victims to speak to offenders about the
physical, emotional, and financial impact of their actions. This program is aimed at increasing offenders’
realization of the harms and potential harms of their actions. It can be a great tool for offenders with DUI or drunk
in public priors. VIP’s have been used in prisons, with parolees, in youth education programs, and treatment
YOLO COUNTY ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS AND WORKSHOPS
One-Stop provides employment assistance, workshops, and various resources at sites in Woodland, and West
Sacramento and is open to all Yolo County residents.
 FREE Employment Center: Employment Center Staff are available to assist participants in job search
techniques and computer research. Resources include Internet access, job leads, on-site recruitments, and
help wanted ads from regional newspapers. A copy/fax machine is also available for employment-related
activities only.
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


FREE Career Workshops: These fifteen-day workshops are divided into three sections. The workshop
focuses on career exploration, job applications, résumés, interview techniques, and job search techniques.
New fifteen-day workshop sessions begin approximately every 15 days. Participants may attend one or
more of the three sections. Please register in advance.
Locations:
25 N. Cottonwood Street (Woodland)
500-A Jefferson Boulevard (West Sacramento)
Contact: Sandy Jack @ (530) 661-2750, Ext. 4359 or email: sandra.jack@yolocounty.org
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT
Available to Yolo County Residences or those who worked for an employer in Yolo County that closed. Offers
vocational training, paid work experience and/or some financial assistance for school and work expenses for the
unemployed or underemployed.



Locations:
25 N. Cottonwood St. in Woodland
500-A Jeffereson Blvd., Suite 100 in West Sacramento
Services available Mondays, starting at 8:15am.
ADULT EDUCATION
Available to individuals who have not earned a High School Diploma or GED. Offers academic counseling to
give an assessment of the requirements to earn a GED, and assistance for students with learning disabilities.
Students are required to sign a release form to transfer their High School records to Adult Education.



Locations:
575 Hays St. in Woodland
215 W. 14th St. in Davis
919 Westacre Rd. in West Sacramento
RESTITUTION
Restitution should be awarded to Victims for their economic loss resulting from the Offender’s criminal conduct
and included in the agreement. An example of economic loss would be the replacement cost for a car window
broken by an Offender. The cost of booking an Offender in the jail or the time it takes a police officer to conduct
the investigation, write a report and transport an Offender to jail does not qualify as an economic loss.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community Service is appropriate when it is mutually agreed upon by the Panelists and the Offender as a
contribution to the community that was harmed in order to restore the community. The work should be connected
to the offense as much as possible and should not exceed twenty hours, absent some unusual circumstance.
Community service must be performed in the community that was harmed. Community service is not designed to
be punitive.
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DAVIS OPTIONS
DAVIS SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (DSMC)
Mindfulness Meditation
The Davis Shambhala Meditation Center (DSMC) offers free mindfulness meditation instruction and sitting
meditation followed by community conversation over coffee, tea and light snacks weekdays (Monday through
Friday) at 7AM. This activity is appropriate for individuals wanting to learn to: quiet one's mind, be more present
(vs. wrapped up in discursive thoughts) and connect into the larger Davis community. Many Shambhala
meditation practitioners are volunteers in Neighborhood Court and other community projects.
Contacts: Gene Tashima or Bill Fell. 530.758.1440; 133 D Street, Suite H, Davis.
UCD RESOURCES (UCD Students Only)
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug (ATOD): ATOD Intervention Services works to empower students to make
healthy and responsible choices concerning use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The ATOD Intervention
Services Coordinator provides professional assessment and intervention services for ATOD concerns. No-use and
low-risk behaviors are supported while the realities of the negative consequence of high-risk use are addressed.
Strategies to reduce ATOD-related barriers to academic and social success are primary intervention goals. ATOD
issues, alcohol poisoning and decision-making skills are addressed. Services and referrals are provided in
collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Health and Counseling Services
medical Staff.
Part 1: Online BASICS Assessment: The student can expect to complete an assessment of his or her
alcohol, marijuana, or other drug consumption patterns, history and related issues. This assessment is
designed to assist students in examining their drinking and other drug behavior(s) in a judgment free
environment. This assessment helps the student identify his or her alcohol, tobacco, and other drug
consumption patterns, history, and related issues. It is the first step to participate in One-on-One Meetings
or the ATOD Education Groups. This assessment, which is completely confidential, is completed online
before the student meets with the ATOD Intervention Services Coordinator.
Part 2: One-on-One Meeting: The student will meet with the ATOD Intervention Services
Coordinator. Personalized feedback is provided based on the BASICS Assessment and focuses
on ways the student might choose to reduce future health, social and legal risks. The number of
sessions will be determined by the ATOD Intervention Services Coordinator.
Education Groups: These 90-minute sessions are provided in a confidential and nonjudgmental
environment for students referred from the conduct system or students who self-refer. After
completing the BASICS Assessment, students may be referred to the Education Groups by the
ATOD Coordinator. The ATOD Coordinator determines if the student should attend the
Education Groups or personal One-on-One counseling. Panelists should not directly refer a
student to the Education Groups as part of the Agreement.
Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS) Personal Counseling: Provides free individual counseling that is
confidential short-term therapy available to all registered UCD students. This program is appropriate if the
student indicates that stress, depression, or some other mental health condition was a factor relating to the
offense. For example, it would be appropriate to refer a student who drinks alcohol to deal with stress to the
CAPS program. The initial appointment will help clarify if short-term individual counseling is recommended, and
an appointment will be made with a staff member as soon as possible. If longer term services are needed, referral
to a community professional will be made.
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UCD Safe Party website: Provides information on how to throw a responsible party. The site has tips for
reducing the risks of alcohol-related and noise complaint problems, as well as other tips on how to keep a party
from ending on a low note with law enforcement intervention.
Volunteer sites for community service options include:
 All Things Right and Relevant
Purpose: Support 10 Yolo County mental health
charities from proceeds of Davis resale stores.
Duties: Stock/straighten merchandise; assist
customers, staff fitting rooms in main store and
workroom.
Special skills/requirements: 10hr service
requirement w/ 4hr/week minimum, no referrals for
weapons/theft/drug violations, initial
interview/orientation and screening under Megan’s
Law, Present a pleasant personality and neat
appearance, No special skills required.
Contact: Nadia Trauner – 530.759.7807
 Elderly Nutrition Program
Purpose: Provide group meals, and home delivery to
homebound seniors.
Duties: Kitchen aide at Davis Senior Center nutrition
site, wash dishes, clean prep area, and load/unload
food*, M-F between 9:30-1pm.
Special skills/requirements: Orientation w/ site
manager required, *(if loading/unloading food) must
be able to lift 50 pounds with another person, No
referrals for theft violations.
Contact: Cecilia Plascencia - 530.747.5870
 Tree Davis
Purpose: Expand and care for Davis’ urban forest.
Duties: Plant and care for trees during work events
scheduled throughout the year (esp. October-May),
occasional office support.
Special skills/requirements: none.
Contact: Keith McAleer, Executive Director 530.758.7337
 Davis Cemetery and Arboretum
Purpose: Strengthen cemetery as a space for
remembrance, contemplation, and healing,
memorialize the history of Davis, its people, and
Central Valley landscape through art, architecture
and design.
Duties: Landscape maintenance.
Special skills/requirements: willingness/ability to do  Village Harvest Davis
hard physical labor, M-F 8-12pm.
Purpose: Harvest fruit trees for donations.
Contact: Joseph Finkleman - 530.756.7807
Duties: Pick fruit trees.
 Davis Community Meals
Contact: Joe Schwartz - 530.759.9792
Purpose: Provide food/housing for individuals and
 YCSPCA Thrift Store
families in need.
Duties: Food and dining room preparation, food
Purpose: To increase awareness and raise money to
service, clean up, and other duties as requested.
help fund SPCA animal rescue programs.
Special skills/requirements: TB test required for
Duties: Processing donations, assisting the public,
shelter volunteers, No special skills needed.
and/or helping with output and organization of
Contact Harmony Scapozzi - 530.756.4008
clothes.
Special skills/requirements: Must have proof of
 Graffiti Abatement Program
health insurance. Shifts are self-scheduled and must
be a minimum of 1hour in length. No referrals for
Purpose: Rid the City of unsightly graffiti.
Duties: Remove graffiti using cleaning supplies and theft or violent crimes.
Contact: Emma Kurtz, Volunteer Coordinator –
paint.
thriftvolunteer.spca@gmail.com
Contact: Kellie Vitaich, Volunteer Coordinator –
530.747.5419
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WEST SACRAMENTO OPTIONS
 Habitat for Humanity of West Sacramento
Purpose: Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” offers
quality used and surplus building materials at a
fraction of normal prices. Proceeds from the sales
help to fund the construction of Habitat houses
within local communities.
Duties: Help process donated merchandise, clean
facilities in Habitat for Humanity “ReStore”.
Volunteers will not have direct interactions with
customers.
Special skills/requirements: Service with the
organization is conditional upon an interview with
Habitat for Humanity staff.
Contact: LDEWATER@SHFH.ORG / 916-379-9734 /
916-440-1215ext 1109
 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 94981
Purpose: The VFW works closely with other
national organizations, such as Boy Scouts of
America, Citizen Corps, March of Dimes, and
America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth, among
others. USO provides VFW members with
additional opportunities to volunteer in their
communities and give back to our troops and their
families.
Duties: Participate in community service options for
various activities with the Post.
Special skills/requirements: Participants do not need
to be veterans to volunteer with the VFW.
Contact: Karen – 916.371.9126; 708 Lisbon Street,
West Sacramento 9560
WOODLAND OPTIONS
 Woodland Tree Foundation: Neighborhood Shade Tree Campaign
Duties: Tree watering/mulching during the summer and fall, and tree planting in winter and spring. Most
of the opportunities would be on Saturday mornings. 1-3 times during fall and winter we plant seedlings
out along SR 113 between Willow Slough and I-5. We work about 2-3 hours each time we are out. In
summer we weed, mulch and water trees planted during the fall and winter. We do this every other
Saturday during the dry months for a couple of hours each time. We conduct 3-4 fall and winter shade
tree plantings in neighborhoods, parks and schools of Woodland. We rely on volunteers working in
teams, each with a team leader. Each event last about 3-4 hours.
Contact: Ken Trott, Coordinator (530) 867-3130
 Heidrick Ag History Center
Duties: Cleaning, data entry, filing, and site beautification. 100,000 square feet of museum space, 45, 000
square feet of even space. Volunteer hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Contact: Tatianna Ortega, Coordinator (530) 661-6888
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City of Woodland: Literacy Services
Woodland Public Library
250 First Street
Woodland, CA 95695
Contact: Trina Camping at 530.661.5987 or trina.camping@cityofwoodland.org.
One in five Americans is considered functionally illiterate. It is the goal of Woodland Public Library Literacy
Services to meet the needs of Woodland community members by providing one-on-one tutoring for adult learners
in reading, writing, and comprehension skills. This goals-oriented program allows students to work not only on
basic skillls but also on skills that can lead to improved job performance, completion of citizenship and GED
preparation and a more fulfilling life though improved education.
“Learner Application” forms are available online. Learners will take an assessment test that takes approximately
30 minutes. Assessments are conducted on Mondays through Thursdays from 8am to 1pm. Learners will then be
assigned a tutor. The learner and tutor will arrange to meet for a one-hour tutoring session at a convenient day and
time in a public location. Learners have the option of scheduling future tutoring sessions.
Woodland Community College
1. Career Planning and Development Course
GNBUS 25 Career Planning and Development 3 units
Lecture: 54 hrs CSU
Survey of techniques of career exploration and selection. In the context of a study of the changes that occur during
a typical life span. Each student constructs a personal profile of current and projected interests, aptitudes, skills,
values, personality, and life and personal circumstances. Not open to students with credit in COUNS 25. (L)
CA Residents: $46 per unit/Non-residents $190 per unit
Admissions and Records
(530) 661‐5720, Building 700, Lobby
Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9am-6pm, Wednesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, and Friday 9am-12pm.
Students can obtain information on regarding admission, enrollment, classes, grade information on,
assessment/placement testing, parking, petitions, payment of fees, graduation and various other processes are
available.
Financial Aid
(530) 661‐5725, Building 700, Lobby
Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9am-6pm, Wednesday-Thursday 9am-5pm, and Friday 9am-12pm.
Their goal is to assist students in bridging the gap between their own resources and the cost of attending college.
They offer assistance with completing applications and providing information about the requirements of the
various financial aid programs. Financial aid consists of federal grants, work study, state grants, fee waivers,
loans, and outside scholarships.
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2. Career Center
(530) 661‐5777, Building 700, Room 744
The Career Center is available to all students and community members who seek assistance in identifying and
selecting career and personal goals, desire information regarding the career exploration process, and those
interested in decision-making tools for college major selection and/or resume and interviewing skill development.
They offer FREE interest and personality career assessments, access to a current library of occupation specific
references and resources and innovative career and job search workshops and seminars.
They offer FREE one-on-one career counseling by appointment. Call Admissions and Records at (530) 661-5720
to schedule a FREE career counseling appointment. All are welcome to stop by the Career/Transfer Center on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm-3:00pm during the drop-hours where no appointment is necessary.
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Participant Evaluation Form
Name _____________________________
Date ____________________
In order to continue to improve the Neighborhood Court (NHC) program, we are asking
you to complete this evaluation form. On the items below, please circle the number that best
represents your feelings and opinions. Please also include any additional comments or
suggestions. Thank you for your cooperation.
1. Based on the information provided to me prior to this Neighborhood Court (NHC)
meeting, I felt prepared to fully participate in the joint meeting with community
members.
5
4
Strongly Agree
3
2
Somewhat Agree
1
Strongly Disagree
2. The overall atmosphere of the NHC meeting was respectful and constructive.
5
4
Strongly Agree
3
2
Somewhat Agree
1
Strongly Disagree
3. The NHC meeting helped me to “make things right” with the community and with
myself.
5
4
Strongly Agree
3
2
Somewhat Agree
1
Strongly Disagree
4. The agreement reached was fair and satisfactory.
5
4
Strongly Agree
3
2
Somewhat Agree
1
Strongly Disagree
5. I would recommend the NHC program to others involved with a similar
crime/infraction.
5
4
Strongly Agree
3
Somewhat Agree
2
1
Strongly Disagree
Additional comments or suggestions:
Page 27
Conference Evaluation for Panelists
Name (optional):
Name of Facilitator(s): NAME
Conference Date: DATE
Conference #1
Offender Name:
Restorative Level (5=Completely Restorative, 1=Not Restorative)
5
4
3
2
1
2
1
Comments (What worked, what did not work?):
Conference #2
Offender Name:
Restorative Level (5=Completely Restorative, 1=Not Restorative)
5
4
3
Comments (What worked, what did not work?):
Page 28
Letter of Apology
Guidelines
Date
Dear (Name, if known; “To Whom It May Concern,” if person is unidentified):
1. First Paragraph
Write about what happened. Be specific about what you personally did, not about what
others did if more people than just yourself were involved. Also, be honest about what
was going through your thoughts as you were doing this and right after the police got
involved. [Note: If, due to intoxication, you are not able to remember some or all of what
happened, state this. Describe everything you are able to remember, including your
thoughts and feelings once you became sober after the incident. In addition, describe
what has gone through your thoughts since then.]
2. Second Paragraph
Tell them what you think might be helpful for you to do to make things as right as
possible. (This can include things like attending an alcohol education course, writing
an essay about what you’ve learned through this experience, doing community
service, etc.)
3. Third Paragraph
Write about the changes you are making for the future. Talk about personal, school,
family, friendship, work, community service, sports, or other goals you plan to work
toward. Tell how you are going to keep an incident like this from happening again in
the future, and how you want your friends, family, and community to help you.
4. Fourth Paragraph
Write your apology here. This is about your personal thoughts and feelings about
the person or people this happened to. This is the place to say you are “sorry for
what happened,” “regret what you did because it caused them trouble (or hurt
them).” You can use whatever words here you think might best express that you can
see how your actions negatively affected another person or people. Close with any
final positive words or hopes you might have for their future and yours.
Respectfully,
(Sign your name here.)
PRINT your full (first and last) name here.
Page 29
Assignment Verification Form Name: ______________________________________ Please verify the above‐named individual’s attendance at the program indicated by initialing below. (Examples of Programs: AA/NA, Al‐Anon, Alateen, Meditation, Community Service, Adult Education, Community College, One‐Stop Career Center, etc.) Date Name & Location of Program Tasks (specify if applicable) Initials Page 30
OFFICE OF THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF YOLO
JEFF W. REISIG
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
___________________________________________________
[Date]
Re:
Citation/Report #:
Charges:
[Name],
This letter confirms that you successfully completed the Yolo County District Attorney Office’s
Neighborhood Court (NHC) program. The Center For Intervention (CFI) notified us that, as of [date]
(completion date), you fulfilled the terms of your Agreement reached at your NHC conference. Thus, you
have satisfied all of your requirements for the NHC program.
The Yolo County District Attorney Office’s NHC program qualifies as a prefiling diversion program
under Penal Code 851.87 (see attached). "Prefiling diversion" is a diversion from prosecution that is
offered to a person by the prosecuting attorney in lieu of, or prior to, the filing of an accusatory pleading
in court as set forth in Section 950. Since you successfully completed the NHC program, the Yolo County
District Attorney’s Office will not be filing any formal charge or complaint with the Superior Court
pertaining to this case, and your case has been closed.
Although you will not have a criminal court file or conviction on your record, you may still have an arrest
on your record. You will be eligible to petition the Superior Court to have your arrest record sealed two
years from the date of your successful completion of this program. If the Superior Court grants your
petition, you will no longer be required to disclose this arrest on certain employment related
questionnaires or applications pursuant to Penal Code section 851.87. Regardless of whether the Superior
Court grants your petition or not, you will still be required to disclose this arrest on certain employment
related questionnaires or applications. Please seek legal advice if you have any questions regarding
when you must still disclose this arrest on employment related questionnaires or applications.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office cannot offer any legal advice or guidance on this matter. If
you are interested in having your arrest record sealed, or you have questions regarding when you must
disclose this arrest, please consult an attorney.
Thank you,
Nicole Kirkaldy
301 2nd Street, Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-8378
Enclosure
301 SECOND STREET  WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA 95695  530.666.8180  FAX 530.666.8185
Page 31
Effective: January 1, 2014
West’s Ann.Cal.Penal Code § 851.87
§851.87. Completion of prefiling diversion program; petition to seal records
of arresting agency and related court files and records; order; use of record;
disclosure of arrest; application of sealing order to records or documents
maintained by the Department of Justice
Currentness
(a)(1) In any case where a person is arrested and successfully completes a prefiling diversion
program administered by a prosecuting attorney in lieu of filing an accusatory pleading, the
person may, two years after successful completion of the program as determined by the
prosecuting attorney, petition the superior court that would have had jurisdiction over the matter
to issue an order to seal the records of the arresting agency and related court files and records,
and the court may order those records sealed if the court finds that doing so will be in furtherance
of justice. A copy of the petition shall be served on the law enforcement agency and the
prosecuting attorney of the county or city having jurisdiction over the offense, who may request a
hearing within 60 days of receipt of the petition. The court may hear the matter no less than 60
days from the date the law enforcement agency and the prosecuting attorney receive a copy of
the petition. The prosecuting attorney and the law enforcement agency, through the prosecuting
attorney, may present evidence to the court at the hearing.
(2) If the order is made, the clerk of the court shall thereafter not allow access to any records
concerning the case, including the court file, index, register of actions, or other similar records.
(3) If the order is made, the court shall give a copy of the order to the person and inform the
person that he or she may thereafter state that he or she was not arrested for the charge.
(4) The person may, except as specified in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), indicate in response to
any question concerning the person's prior criminal record that the person was not arrested.
(5) Subject to subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a record pertaining to the arrest shall not, without the
person's permission, be used in any way that could result in the denial of any employment,
benefit, or certificate.
(6) A sealing order made pursuant to this subdivision shall not be forwarded to the Department of
Justice to be included or notated in the department's manual or electronic fingerprint image or
criminal history record systems. Any sealing order made pursuant to this subdivision and received
by the Department of Justice need not be processed by the department.
(b) The person shall be advised that, regardless of the person's successful completion of the
program, the arrest shall be disclosed by the Department of Justice in response to any peace
officer application request, and that, notwithstanding subdivision (a), this section does not relieve
the person of the obligation to disclose the arrest in response to any direct question contained in
any questionnaire or application for a position as a peace officer, as defined in Section 830.
(c) The person shall be advised that, regardless of the person's successful completion of the
program, the arrest shall be disclosed by the Department of Justice or the court in which the
matter was heard in response to any subsequent inquiry by the district attorney, court, probation
department, or counsel for the person concerning the person's eligibility for any diversion
program administered by a prosecuting attorney in the future.
(d) A sealing order made pursuant to this section shall not apply to any record or document
received or maintained by the Department of Justice. Upon issuing the sealing order, the court
shall advise the person that, notwithstanding the issuance of a sealing order pursuant to this
section, the Department of Justice shall continue to be able to maintain and disseminate any
records or documents received or maintained by the department, as authorized by law.
(e) As used in this section, "prefiling diversion" is a diversion from prosecution that is offered to a
person by the prosecuting attorney in lieu of, or prior to, the filing of an accusatory pleading in
court as set forth in Section 950.
Credits
(Added by Stats.2013, c. 798 (S.B.513), §2.)
Page 32
OFFICE OF THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF YOLO
JEFF W. REISIG
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
____________________________________________________
[Date]
Re:
Citation/Report #:
Charges:
[Name],
This letter confirms that you successfully completed the Yolo County District Attorney Office’s
Neighborhood Court (NHC) program, which is a prefiling diversion program. The Center For
Intervention (CFI) notified us that, as of [date], you fulfilled the terms of your Agreement reached on
[date of conference] at your conference. Thus, you have satisfied all of your requirements for the NHC
program, and your case has been closed.
Since you received a citation for an infraction only, you will not have an arrest on your criminal record.
Furthermore, you will not have a court file or conviction on your criminal record.
Thank you,
Nicole Kirkaldy
301 2nd Street, Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-8378
Page 33
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NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Tell us about yourself! Please write clearly and fill out the entire application. Thank you!
Date of Application
Full Name
Home Address
City
Zip Code
Home/Alt Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Best way to contact you?
Home/Alt Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Date of Birth
Place of employment/School attended (if retired or unemployed, please list previous employment)
Position or Title/Year
What are your interests and hobbies?
Current and/or previous community involvement?
Do you speak any foreign languages? Please list:
How did you become interested in Neighborhood Court?
Why would you like to participate in Neighborhood Court?
What qualities do you have that would make you a good Neighborhood Court panelist? (You may include
special skills or strengths you believe are applicable)
What do you hope to gain or learn by being a Neighborhood Court panelist?
Do you follow sources that focus on the criminal justice system such as novels, blogs, the internet, newspapers,
TV, or radio? If so, what sources?
Print
Page 34
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NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
Please describe your experiences with the criminal justice system?
Have you ever had any adverse experiences or contact with a law enforcement agency or the court system?
If so, please explain:
Have you ever been a victim of a crime?
Yes
No
If yes, please explain:
When are you available to volunteer?
Are there any days, hours, or times of year you are NOT available to volunteer?
Do you have any special needs requiring accommodation?
References – Please list 2 contacts familiar with your work ethic and capabilities (No relatives please)
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
Emergency Contact
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
I hereby certify that the information I provided in this application is true and correct. My signature
authorizes the District Attorney’s Office to contact my references.
Signature of Applicant:
Please return completed application to neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org
301 Second Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-8180
Print
Date:
Page 35
Clear All Pages
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
VOLUNTEER FACILITATOR APPLICATION
Tell us about yourself! Please write clearly and fill out the entire application. Thank you!
Date of Application
Full Name
Home Address
City
Zip Code
Home/Alt Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Best way to contact you?
Home/Alt Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Date of Birth
Place of employment/School attended (if retired or unemployed, please list previous employment)
Position or Title/Year
Current and/or previous community involvement?
Do you speak any foreign languages? Please list:
How did you learn about Neighborhood Court?
Why would you like to participate as a trained Facilitator in Neighborhood Court?
Please list any formal training you have received in mediation, facilitation or other related conflict resolution
processes including name of training provider and dates.
Please describe your mediation, facilitation or other related experience, including types of mediation and number
of years.
Page 36
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
What other qualities do you have that would make you a good Neighborhood Court Facilitator? (You may
include special skills or strengths you believe are applicable)
What do you hope to acquire or learn by being a Neighborhood Court Facilitator?
What are your interests and hobbies?
Do you follow sources that focus on the criminal justice system such as novels, blogs, the internet, newspapers,
TV, or radio? If so, what sources?
Please describe your experiences with the criminal justice system?
Have you ever had any adverse experiences or contact with a law enforcement agency or the court system?
If so, please explain:
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Have you ever been a victim of a crime?
When are you available to volunteer?
Page 37
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT
Are there any days, hours, or times of the year you are NOT available to volunteer?
Do you have any special needs requiring accommodation?
References – Please list 2 contacts familiar with your work ethic and capabilities (No relatives please)
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
Emergency Contact
Name
Phone
Relationship to you
I hereby certify that the information I provided in this application is true and correct. My signature
authorizes the District Attorney’s Office to contact my references.
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
Please return completed application to neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org
301 Second Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-8180
Page 38
COUNTY OF YOLO
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
JEFF W. REISIG, DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT PANELIST
A.
Introduction
1. Neighborhood Court is a restorative justice pre-charging diversion program
designed to address lower level crimes. Residents are trained to serve as
Panelists and develop community-based solutions to redress the harm caused
by these offenses. Pursuant to Penal Code §14150 – 14156, the District
Attorney’s Office empowers Panelists with the authority and responsibility to
adjudicate certain infraction/misdemeanor offenses. Typically, the offenses
are petty theft, disorderly conduct, vandalism, assault/battery, alcohol control
violations, and other quality of life crimes. Neighborhood Court is a
partnership with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, volunteers from
the community, the Davis Police Department, the UC Davis Police
Department, the West Sacramento Police Department, the Center for
Intervention (CFI), and community groups.
2. Serving as a Neighborhood Court Panelist is an important responsibility.
Panelists uphold the integrity of the program and ensure fairness in resolving
each case. A Panelist shall personally adhere to the high standards as specified
in the Code of Conduct Agreement for Neighborhood Court Panelist (Code)
so that the integrity of the hearing process is preserved. This Code of Conduct
Agreement describes the roles and responsibilities required for each
participant to serve as a Panelist.
Page 1 of 4
Code of Conduct for Neighborhood Court Panelist 12/18/14
Page 39
B.
A Panelist Shall Adhere To Appropriate Standards In Performing His Or
Her Duties.
In performing the duties prescribed by the Yolo County District Attorney’s
Office, the following standards apply:
1. A Panelist shall respect and comply with the law pursuant to the Penal Code
of California. A Panelist shall report any violation or attempt to violate this
standard of this Code to the CFI and the District Attorney Representative.
2. A Panelist shall be patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous to all persons
with whom the Panelist deals in an official capacity, including the Victim,
Offender, Victim Advocates, the general public, Facilitators, and other
Panelists.
3. A Panelist shall diligently discharge the responsibilities of the position in a
prompt, efficient, and professional manner.
4. A Panelist shall not engage in unfair discrimination based on age, gender,
gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, language, socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed
by law.
5. A Panelist shall not allow his or her personal opinion or beliefs to detract from
the dignity of Neighborhood Court, interfere with the performance of official
duties, or adversely reflect on the operation and dignity of Neighborhood
Court.
6. A Panelist shall, to the best of his or her ability, utilize the principles of
restorative justice in deciding the best course of action in cases.
7. A Panelist shall engage in face-to-face dialogue with Offenders, Victims, and
other Panelists in the conference and seek to reach an agreement about how to
restore the Offender, the Victim, and the community and ensure the agreement
is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, respectful, timely, and
restorative (SMARRT-R).
8.
A Panelist shall promote, support, and maintain a safe, respectful, and
confidential process.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY: Except when deliberating with the Victim, Offender
and other Panelists, a Panelist shall not make comments on the merits of a
pending matter or the Panelist’s private opinion about a case.
Page 2 of 4
Page 40
10. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Panelist shall not disclose any confidential
information received in the course of his or her service to Neighborhood Court
about any case or any participant to any person or entity, except to District
Attorney Representatives, CFI, Facilitators, Panelists, and trainers for
purposes related to this program.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Panelist shall not use any information obtained in
the course of case deliberations for any personal or professional purposes.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Panelist may disclose confidential information for
the educational and training purposes of this program; however, Offender and
Victim names, or information which would reveal their identity, shall not be
disclosed.
C.
A Panelist Shall Avoid Conflicts Of Interest In The Performance Of His Or
Her Duties.
1. A conflict of interest arises when a Panelist knows that he or she might be
personally or financially affected by a matter such that a reasonable person
with knowledge of the relevant facts would question the Panelist’s ability to
properly perform duties in an impartial manner.
2. When a Panelist believes a conflict of interest may be present, the Panelist
shall promptly inform his or her co-Panelists and the CFI and the District
Attorney Representative at the conference. After determining that a conflict or
the appearance of a conflict of interest exists, appropriate steps shall be taken
to restrict the Panelist’s involvement in such matter so as to avoid a conflict or
the appearance of a conflict of interest.
D.
A Panelist May Be Removed From Neighborhood Court For Violation Of
Standards As Set Forth In This Code Of Conduct.
1. A Panelist shall respect and comply with the standards of this Code. Failure to
do so may result in removal of the Panelist from his or her responsibilities.
2. Should a Panelist believe that there has been an ethical breach of this Code by
another Panelist, he or she should attempt to resolve the issue by bringing it to
the attention of that Panelist and to the CFI and the District Attorney
Representative.
3. The affected Panelist shall have the opportunity to meet with the District
Attorney Representative.
Page 3 of 4
Page 41
4. The District Attorney’s Office shall be the final arbiter on the removal of the
Panelist.
The Code of Conduct shall be in effect for two years commencing on the date
below and, at the discretion of the District Attorney’s Office, is renewable at the
end of the current term for a successive two year term.
Page 4 of 4
Page 42
COUNTY OF YOLO
CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT FACILITATOR
A.
Introduction
1. Neighborhood Court is a restorative justice pre-charging diversion program
designed to address lower level crimes. Residents are trained to serve as
Panelists and develop community-based solutions to redress the harm caused
by these offenses. Pursuant to Penal Code §14150 – 14156, the District
Attorney’s Office empowers Panelists with the authority and responsibility to
adjudicate certain infraction/misdemeanor offenses, and it empowers
Facilitators with the authority to facilitate the restorative justice process.
Typically, the offenses are petty theft, disorderly conduct, vandalism,
assault/battery, alcohol control violations, and other quality of life crimes.
Neighborhood Court is a partnership with the Yolo County District Attorney’s
Office, volunteers from the community, the Davis Police Department, the UC
Davis Police Department, the West Sacramento Police Department, the Center
for Intervention (CFI), and community groups.
2. Serving as a Neighborhood Court Facilitator is an important responsibility.
Facilitators uphold the integrity of the program and ensure fairness in
resolving each case. A Facilitator shall personally observe high standards as
specified in the Code of Conduct Agreement for Neighborhood Court
Facilitator (Code) so that the integrity of the hearing process is preserved.
This Code of Conduct Agreement describes the roles and responsibilities
required for each participant to serve as a Facilitator.
Page 1 of 4
Code of Conduct for Neighborhood Court Facilitator 12/18/14
Page 43
B.
A Facilitator Shall Adhere To Appropriate Standards In Performing His Or
Her Duties.
In performing the duties prescribed by the Yolo County District Attorney’s
Office, the following standards apply:
1. A Facilitator shall respect and comply with the law pursuant to the Penal Code
of California. A Facilitator shall report any violation or attempt to violate this
standard of this Code to the CFI and the District Attorney Representative.
2. A Facilitator shall be patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous to all
persons with whom the Facilitator deals in an official capacity, including the
Victim, Offender, Victim Advocates, Panelists, the general public, and other
Facilitators.
3. A Facilitator shall diligently discharge the responsibilities of the position in a
prompt, efficient, and professional manner.
4. A Facilitator shall not engage in unfair discrimination based on age, gender,
gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, language, socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed
by law.
5. A Facilitator shall not allow his or her personal opinion or beliefs to detract
from the dignity of Neighborhood Court, interfere with the performance of
official duties, or adversely reflect on the operation and dignity of
Neighborhood Court.
6. A Facilitator shall, to the best of his or her ability, utilize the principles of
restorative justice in deciding the best course of action in cases.
7. A Facilitator shall, to the best of his or her ability, effectively facilitate the
restorative justice process by building trust, and preparing and empowering
Victims, Offenders and Panelists for restorative dialogue through preconferences.
8. A Facilitator shall, to the best of his or her ability, guide and assist Offenders,
Victims, and Panelists in face-to-face dialogue in the conference, assist them
in reaching an agreement about how to restore the Offender, the Victim, and
the community, create a safe space throughout the duration of the conference,
and ensure the agreement is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable,
respectful, timely, and restorative (SMARRT-R).
Page 2 of 4
Page 44
9. A Facilitator shall promote, support, and maintain a safe, respectful, and
confidential process.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Facilitator shall not disclose any confidential
information received in the course of his or her participation in Neighborhood
Court about any case or any participant to any person or entity, except to
District Attorney Representatives, CFI, Facilitators, Panelists, and trainers for
purposes related to this program.
11. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Facilitator shall not use any information obtained in
the course of case deliberations for any personal or professional purposes.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY: A Facilitator may disclose confidential information for
the educational and training purposes of this program; however, Offender and
Victim names, or information which would reveal their identity, shall not be
disclosed.
C.
A Facilitator Shall Avoid Conflicts Of Interest In The Performance Of His
Or Her Duties.
1. A conflict of interest arises when a Facilitator knows that he or she might be
personally or financially affected by a matter such that a reasonable person
with knowledge of the relevant facts would question the Facilitator’s ability to
properly perform duties in an impartial manner.
2. When a Facilitator believes a conflict of interest may be present, the
Facilitator shall promptly inform the CFI and the District Attorney
Representative. After determining that a conflict or the appearance of a
conflict of interest exists, appropriate steps shall be taken to restrict the
Facilitator’s involvement in such matter so as to avoid a conflict or the
appearance of a conflict of interest.
D.
A Facilitator May Be Removed From Neighborhood Court For Violation Of
Standards As Set Forth In This Code Of Conduct.
1. A Facilitator shall respect and comply with the standards of this Code. Failure
to do so may result in removal of the Facilitator from his or her
responsibilities.
2. Should a Facilitator believe that there has been an ethical breach of this Code
by a Facilitator or Panelist, he or she should attempt to resolve the issue by
bringing it to the attention of that Facilitator or Panelist and to the CFI and the
District Attorney Representative.
Page 3 of 4
Page 45
3. The affected Facilitator or Panelist shall have the opportunity to meet with the
District Attorney Representative.
4. The District Attorney’s Office shall be the final arbiter on the removal of the
Facilitator or Panelist.
The Code of Conduct shall be in effect for two years commencing on the date
below and, at the discretion of the District Attorney’s Office, is renewable at the
end of the current term for a successive two year term.
Page 4 of 4
Page 46
COUNTY OF YOLO
NEIGHBORHOOD
COURT
2014 YEAR-END
REPORT
Page 47
An Innovative Initiative
from the Office of District Attorney Jeff Reisig
In 2013 the Yolo County District Attorney, in collaboration with the City of
Davis and the University of California at Davis, began an innovative
program based on the principles of Restorative Justice. The Yolo County
Neighborhood Court Program (NHC) addresses nonviolent and low-level
crimes through community-based solutions.
Neighborhood Court is an alternative to Criminal Court. Instead of charging
cases for criminal prosecution, the District Attorney’s Office may refer
certain criminal cases (misdemeanors and infractions) to the panel of
community volunteers who comprise the Neighborhood Court. The purpose
of this program is to swiftly redress harms that impact the quality of life in
our neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Court utilizes restorative justice concepts which identify
crime as acts that cause harm to people and communities. The Program
focuses on bringing the offender back into the community by focusing on
the social harms caused by the offense rather than the crime itself. Emphasis
is placed on the offender voluntarily accepting responsibility for their
conduct and repairing the harm done to the victim and the community.
One goal of Neighborhood Court is for all parties to understand the root
cause of the crime so that appropriate agreements can be entered into which
help rehabilitate the offender and reduce the likelihood that the offensive
conduct will be repeated.
Participants who successfully complete Neighborhood Court agreements
have their case closed. This means they do not have an embarrassing and
potentially detrimental criminal conviction on their record that could impactPage 48
future employment or licensing. Participants are able to quickly resolve their
case instead of going through multiple expensive court appearances.
Ultimately, Neighborhood Court is a process that creates an opportunity for
the victim, the offender and the community to communicate directly with
each other in a safe environment. Here they can work towards repairing the
harms in a way that will allow all the parties to move forward in a positive
direction as equal members of the community. The pilot program
administered by the District Attorney in the jurisdiction of Davis has been
active and well received within the community by many stakeholders.
Eligibility and Statistics
NHC ELIGIBLE OFFENSES
Public Intoxication
Noise Violation
Minor in Possession / False ID
Public Urination
Open Container in Public
Resisting Arrest
Petty Theft
Sale of Tobacco to Minor
(w/ victim consent)
Battery/Trespassing/Vandalism
Neighborhood Court is designed to resolve cases restoratively and in the best
interest of the victim and community. Only certain misdemeanor and
infraction offenses are eligible for Neighborhood Court (see above). To be
eligible for Neighborhood Court, an offender cannot be on probation or
parole, or pending any other criminal charges.
Neighborhood Court is primarily a first offender program, but has begun
expanding its eligibility restrictions for transition aged youth (18-25)
offenders, especially those with previous alcohol-based offenses and no
history of violent crime. The goal of this expansion is to provide a
restorative outcome which addresses the underlying issues that lead to
multiple alcohol-based offenses and to educate the offender, with the aim of
discouraging repeat offenses.
This year we have seen the inclusion of several participants with
misdemeanor or infraction priors, some of whom had previously participated
in Neighborhood Court. These offenders were deemed eligible on a case-bycase basis, with the goal of their inclusion being to provide an opportunity
for more intensive education and counseling for their developing pattern of
Page 49
alcohol abuse. More than 50% of the offenders who participate in this
program are cited for directly alcohol-related offenses, such as public
intoxication or open container violations, and nearly 90% of the citations
referred to Neighborhood Court involve alcohol in some capacity.
Neighborhood Court allows participants an opportunity to undergo
educational and counseling options for their alcohol issues. Such options are
not currently available for these offenses in Criminal Court.
REFERRALS
CONFERENCES HELD
PENDING COMPLETION
GRADUATED PROGRAM
FAILED PROGRAM
DPD
267
55
208
4
UCD OTHER
54
17
7
0
45
17
2
0
2014
TOTALS
338
60
272
6
2013
TOTALS
154
0
150
4
The case load for Neighborhood Court has continuously increased since the
program’s inception. In 2013 Neighborhood Court held 154 conferences. In
2014, the number of conferences more than doubled to 338. The types of
offenses handled in the program have also shifted towards a greater
proportion of misdemeanor offenses. The percentage of participants for
misdemeanors has increased from 37% to 57%.
2013
2014
37%
MISDEMEANORS
INFRACTIONS
43%
57%
MISDEMEANORS
INFRACTIONS
63%
Neighborhood Court aims to provide restorative solutions for its growing
case load and expanding range of violations, which include an increasing
percentage of misdemeanor offenses, direct victim cases, and a high volume
of noise violations.
Page 50
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Other
Petty Theft
Sale of
Resisting MIP/ False
Tobacco to
Arrest
ID
Minor
Battery
Open
Open
Public
Container Container
Intoxication
(M)
(I)
Public
Urination
Noise
2014
15
8
9
36
5
6
85
27
25
25
97
2013
3
2
1
17
0
2
27
8
10
11
73
Multi-Offender Noise Conferences
From 2013-14, Neighborhood Court has seen 170 participants for noise
citations alone. In an effort to efficiently handle this high volume offense
type in a restorative and effective matter, a modified conference format with
multiple offenders was introduced. These multi-offender noise conferences
are held monthly, and managed by Neighborhood Court’s Legal Secretary.
The multi-offender noise conference includes a Facilitator, two Panelists,
and 6-10 offender participants who have all received citations for noise
violations. The aim of these group sessions is to create a real sense of
community between offenders and Panelists. The offenders, with guidance
provided by the Panelists, are provided a forum for exploring the communal
effects and harms of this offense through group discussion, while also
allowing them to share their own personal experiences. The Facilitator and
Panelists help provide clear preventative options and tools for noise
management and avoidance of future violations.
With this format, multiple offenses can be addressed in a manner appropriate
to the scope and scale of the offense, while still allowing an opportunity for
community restoration. This helps manage the high case volume while still
maintaining a focus on restorative outcomes.
Direct Victim Participation
In cases where individual citizens are the victim of a crime, such as battery,
theft, vandalism, or trespassing, the primary goal of Neighborhood Court is
Page 51
to change the focus from the defendant to the victim, to make the process
more victim-centric.
When a victim chooses to participate in the Neighborhood Court program
through a direct victim-offender conference, they are given the opportunity
to express directly to the offender how they were personally affected by the
offender’s criminal conduct. They also participate in the creation of the
agreement that will determine how the offender repairs the harm caused by
their criminal offenses.
Research suggests these conferences between victim and offender have the
highest rates of victim satisfaction, offender accountability and the lowest
levels of recidivism. Following each Neighborhood Court conference,
surveys are distributed to all participants asking them to rate their levels of
satisfaction based on five key tenants of the program: preparedness,
atmosphere, restorativity, fairness, and overall satisfaction. Tracking these
surveys allows for program accountability, and provides a concrete means of
identifying areas that need improvement.
VICTIM SATISFACTION
5
4.75
4.75
4.5
4.25
4.25
RATED 1-5
4
3
2
CT
IO
N
NE
SS
O
VE
RA
LL
SA
TI
SF
A
FA
IR
TY
IV
I
TO
RA
T
RE
S
SH
M
O
AT
PR
EP
AR
ED
NE
SS
PE
RE
1
Moving forward, the goal for Neighborhood Court is to increase victim
participation and provide more options for victim involvement. The aim in
this is to increase the ability to reach an agreement that the victim feels is
fair and fully restorative. Neighborhood Court is working in partnership with
the Yolo County Victim Services Unit in an effort to increase available
modes of victim representation and assistance to victims interested in
Page 52
participating in the program. Victim Services Advocates work alongside
Neighborhood Court Attorneys to assist with contacting, tracking, and
providing victim rights information to potential participating victims. They
can also provide services as an advocate or surrogate for victims seeking
modified means of participation.
One victim of a battery, who participated in a direct victim-offender
conference with the Neighborhood Court program, stated: “I appreciate the
positivity and space to be honest. The stage for my voice was more than
viable.” This process gives victims a voice; not only to express the harms
they have suffered and be acknowledged, but also to articulate what they
need in order to repair those harms. Through this process victims have the
opportunity to achieve an outcome that is truly restorative.
Victims, offenders and community members all sitting together and coming
to an agreement on what is needed to repair the harms that have been caused
by an offense embodies the mission of the Neighborhood Court program.
Our Partners and Service Providers
Neighborhood Court is able to provide counseling and other program
options to offenders through our partnership with reliable service providers
such as the Center for Intervention (CFI) and UC Davis’ Alcohol, Tobacco
and Other Drugs (ATOD) program. CFI not only offers a variety of class
and program options, they also manage the receipt and tracking of all
offender agreement documents. ATOD offers conveniently accessible
program options for students of UC Davis to analyze and address their
alcohol management skills.
Recently, Neighborhood Court has embarked upon an exciting new
partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). This will allow
the program to better address the needs of non-student youth offenders cited
for alcohol-related offenses by utilizing the Start Making a Right Turn
(SMART) program and the MADD Victim Impact Panel (VIP). The
SMART program is designed to educate youth about the dangers of
underage drinking and driving under the influence, while VIP provides a
forum for victims to help offenders understand the personal impact of their
crimes.
These partnerships are vital to ensuring that the Neighborhood Court
program has a diverse variety of restorative options available for use in the
creation of agreements that truly address the harms caused by criminal
offenses.
Page 53
The Volunteers
Volunteers play an integral role in the Neighborhood Court program.
Community volunteers for Neighborhood Court serve as “Panelists” and
“Facilitators.” Panelists are community residents from the affected
communities who have agreed to meet with the parties involved in an effort
to reach an agreement about how to repair the harm. Panelists have been
trained in restorative justice principles and problem solving techniques.
Facilitators are also trained community volunteers who serve as a type of
mediator in the Neighborhood Court process involving the Panelists, the
victim and the offender.
The volunteers are NOT defense attorneys, prosecutors, or judges. They are
local residents, merchants, students, parents, and retired folks who are
committed to improving the quality of life in their community.
Volunteers have taken initiative, informing themselves about the various
factors and root causes for some of the most commonly seen offenses.
During conferences, Panelists present their personal perspectives on harms
caused by offenses while maintaining a safe and honest environment for the
offender-participants to reach a truly restorative agreement. Volunteer
Facilitators conscientiously manage conferences, and have spearheaded the
mentoring of incoming volunteers, sharing openly from their collected
wealth of knowledge.
The volunteer-centric Neighborhood Court conference model makes those
who donate their time to the program truly indispensible for the
sustainability and continuation of this program. As Neighborhood Court
progresses towards a regular schedule of volunteer recruitment and training
sessions to build a sustainable pool of community volunteers, it is
impossible to ignore the selfless work and dedication of the foundational and
current volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible.
Page 54
Volunteer Recruitment and Training
The foundational Neighborhood Court volunteers were vital to the initial
implementation of this program, and their experience and involvement has
been instrumental in continued recruitment and training efforts. However, it
is also clear that in order to remain sustainable as the program expands,
maintaining a large and diverse pool of volunteers is a necessity.
In the interest of recruiting an increasingly diverse group of volunteers,
Neighborhood Court has enacted a variety of grass-roots recruitment efforts.
These include attendance at local Farmers Markets, Community
Informational sessions, Social Media utilization, and presentations at local
universities, churches and community groups.
Additionally, Neighborhood Court has partnered with a local non-profit to
offer regular training opportunities for new recruits. These trainings cover
the basic principles of Restorative Justice, a detailed program description, 1
and 2-day training sessions on the Panelist and Facilitator volunteer roles,
respectively, practical application, observation, and mentoring. Following
completion of training, Neighborhood Court has also taken steps to improve
communication with active volunteers to increase their ability to effectively
contribute to the program.
Stakeholders’ Meetings and Advisory Board
As part of a continued effort to expand and improve communication and
collaboration amongst all parties involved in the Neighborhood Court
program, regular Stakeholders Meetings were initiated in the fall of 2014.
The inaugural meeting took place on October 30th. The goal of these
monthly meetings was two-fold: 1.) to provide a forum for discussion
between Neighborhood Court / District Attorney staff and Neighborhood
Court volunteers/stakeholders; and 2.) to discuss the development of an
Advisory Board designed to address programmatic concerns.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office invited Neighborhood Court
volunteers to sit on an Advisory Board designed to tackle concerns brought
forth regarding the Neighborhood Court program management, conferences,
volunteer training, best practices, etc. Members of the Advisory Board will
address issues brought forth by Neighborhood Court staff and volunteers and
make recommendations geared toward the resolution of those concerns.
Participants will meet monthly and are required to make a 12-18 month
commitment. The purpose of the Advisory Board is to provide a concrete
system for hearing and resolving concerns amongst those with a stake in the
sustainability of the Neighborhood Court program.
Page 55
Neighborhood Court Staff
Neighborhood Court staff has grown from a single managing Deputy
District Attorney IV in 2013, to 3 full time staff members, in order to
accommodate the growing case load and volunteer management
requirements. The program is currently staffed by two Deputy District
Attorneys and one Legal Secretary.
Since its original implementation in 2013, the program’s case load has more
than doubled and the number of active volunteers has more than tripled. The
Davis case load and volunteer requirements alone are growing beyond the
staff’s capability to handle further program expansion. In an effort to more
sustainably manage the program while continuing to grow and expand, in
2014, the District Attorney’s Office applied for a grant to further fund the
Neighborhood Court program.
JAG Grant Application
The application for this grant was motivated by a developing need to address
three major program goals: 1) Expansion into the cities of West Sacramento
and Woodland 2) Need for a Manager/Coordinator of the volunteers who are
critical to the success of the program 3) Need for a Social Worker
Practitioner who will meet the needs of the offenders, particularly the
homeless, to assist them in what is hoped to be a successful transformation
once they are held accountable for their actions.
The additional funding provided through this grant would allow the District
Attorney’s Office to expand the Program to the cities of West Sacramento
and Woodland. The grant would also allow the District Attorney to expand
the Program scope and ability to handle the needs of both volunteers and
participants.
Page 56
Expansion: West Sacramento and Woodland
Expansion into Woodland and West Sacramento is a future Neighborhood
Court program goal. Pending grant funding approval, regular training
sessions, as well as ongoing recruitment efforts will provide the resources to
begin training new volunteers and laying the foundation for future program
expansion.
West Sacramento promises a new focus on primarily resource-based
offenses and participants who face more advanced socio-economic
challenges than those previously seen in Davis. These differences necessitate
increased resources and an adjustment in how both staff and volunteers
manage and interact with participants. Similar assumptions can be made
regarding prospective program expansion into the City of Woodland.
Success in expansion requires not only extensive grass roots community
outreach efforts, supportive cooperation from city governments, and
multiple volunteer training opportunities, but also motivation and
resourcefulness on behalf of the inaugural volunteers in the community.
Limited numbers are to be expected at the outset, and will necessitate
coordination of schedules, duties, information, and resources, as processes
are smoothed out through time and practice.
Neighborhood Court looks forward to the new and diverse opportunities
Woodland and West Sacramento present for this program’s continued
pursuit of restorative solutions to crime.
Page 57
COUNTY OF YOLO
301 SECOND STREET - WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA 95695 - 530.666.8180 - FAX 530.666.8185
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 19, 2015
Contact: Jonathan Raven, Chief Deputy District Attorney
Jonathan.Raven@yolocounty.org
Phone:
Yolo County Receives $1.9 Million Grant for
Neighborhood Court Program
Federal Grant Supports Restorative Justice Based Diversion Program Initiated By Yolo
County District Attorney And Staffed With Community Volunteers
(Woodland, CA) — February 19, 2015 - District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced
that on February 12, 2015, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC)
approved the awarding of $1.95 million in federal grant funds over three years to augment
the Yolo County District Attorney's Neighborhood Court program. Neighborhood Court is
an adult criminal diversion program based on restorative justice that addresses criminal
violations that impact the quality of life in the community.
Restorative justice is accomplished in Neighborhood Court by involving the
victim, the offender and community members in a process focused on the hann to the
victim caused by crime and the offender's obligation to repair that harm. This process
empowers those most affected by the crime. Neighborhood Court outcomes, to the extent
possible, repair the harm done to the victim, emphasize offender accountability and
responsibility while addressing the reasons for the offense.
Neighborhood Court offers an alternative to criminal court. Rather than charging
a case for prosecution, the District Attorney's Office will refer certain misdemeanors and
infractions to Neighborhood Court. In Neighborhood Court, a panel of trained volunteers
from the community participate in a facilitated conference with the offender. All
conferences are confidential and participation by the offender is completely voluntary. In
addition, any victim must also consent to the program for a case to be diverted into
Neighborhood Court. If either the victim or the offender does not agree, the matter will
be handled in the traditional criminal justice system.
Page 58
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT QUARTERLY
June 2015
CELEBRATING NEIGHBORHOOD COURT'S 2nd ANNIVERSARY
Back row from left to right: Judy Hecomovich, Jeanne Lejardi, Cyrus Soltani, Jonathan Corbett, Jay Norvell, Claire Black Slotton, Ralph
Hexter (U.C. Davis Provost), James Grieshop, Fred Gaives, Lorna Robles, Bob Bain, Jon Parro, and Matt McCarthy. Middle row from left to right: Linda Wayne, Pat Grieshop, Rosanne Mandel, Elvia Garcia, Manny Mederos, Teresa Spradau, Janet
Regnell, Diane Colborn, Jennifer Davis (Deputy D.A.), Chris Bulkeley (Deputy D.A.), Peggy Tahan, Barbara Sommers, and Michael
Koltnow. Front row from left to right: Heather Blair (Victim Advocate), Pia Johnson, Jeff Reisig (District Attorney), Rhonda David, Nicole Kirkaldy
(Legal Secretary), Jonathan Raven (Chief Deputy D.A.), Vietnam Nguyen (Deputy D.A.), and Jake Whitaker (Legal Process Clerk). Milestones For Restorative Justice
On June 16, 2015, Neighborhood Court celebrated its second anniversary in Davis. Representatives from the
District Attorney's Office, Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Davis Police Department, and U.C. Davis all shared
their appreciation for the volunteers. Representatives from the District Attorney's Office included District Attorney
Jeff Reisig, Chief Deputy D.A. Jonathan Raven, Deputy D.A. Chris Bulkeley, Deputy D.A. Jennifer Davis, Deputy
D.A. Vietnam Nguyen, Legal Secretary Nicole Kirkaldy, Victim Advocate Heather Blair, and Legal Process Clerk
Jake Whitaker. Don Saylor was present on behalf of the Yolo Board of Supervisors. Police Chief Landy Black
appeared on behalf of the Davis Police Department. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph Hexter appeared
for the University of California, Davis. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig awarded several volunteers in
recognition of their longstanding commitment to Neighborhood Court. On June 3, 2013, Neighborhood Court held its first conference in Davis using the “facilitated conference” model. By
the end of 2013, Neighborhood Court successfully held 154 conferences including three victimoffender conferences
where the victims directly participated in the process. In 2014, the number of conferences more than doubled to 338.
On February 12, 2015, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) awarded $1.95 million in federal grant
funds to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Neighborhood Court program.
Page 59
With a successful track record in Davis and the federal funding, Neighborhood Court expanded to West Sacramento
and Woodland. Since the beginning of this year, Neighborhood Court has held a combined total of 157 conferences
for all three cities. Since its inception approximately two years ago, Neighborhood Court has successfully diverted
649 offenders from traditional criminal court. The conferences are currently staffed by 121 community volunteers for
all three major cities. The Neighborhood Court team has expanded to now include: three staff attorneys, a victim
advocate, a legal secretary, a paralegal, a legal process clerk, and a social worker practitioner. FROM THE DESK OF THE DA
This month marks the two year anniversary of Neighborhood Court's first conference in Davis with a small
innovative coalition of volunteers. Since our very humble beginnings, Neighborhood Court has successfully soared
to over 120 volunteers from all over Yolo County who have helped handle over 600 cases. The restorative justice
based facilitator conference model that our collaborative team designed has helped shape a new form of justice in
Yolo County that is generating interest from folks all over the state. As Yolo County's Neighborhood Court continues
to innovate and expand in the coming year, I look forward to establishing new partnerships with community members
and organizations alike that are committed to looking for brave new ways to restore victims, communities and
offenders. Jeff Reisig, Yolo County District Attorney
The Restorative Justice Model For Success
The Yolo County District Attorney's Neighborhood
Court program is the first adult program in California
that addresses certain misdemeanor violations using
the principles of restorative justice in a "facilitated
conference" model. The Yolo County District
Attorney's Office collaborated with several community
members in designing and implementing this
"facilitated conference" model. For example, one can analogize the dialogues in the
traditional criminal justice system between the court
and defendants to that of parent and child. However, in
Neighborhood Court, the conversation is more akin to
a discussion between peers, colleagues, or neighbors.
One anonymous offender said, "I really appreciate that
a program like Neighborhood Court exists in the
community. I think treating cases like mine in this more
intimate, reflective manner is much more effective than
full on criminal court."
Page 60
The model opens a direct line of communication
between the offenders and the community because
discussions are led by community representatives.
The model fosters better dialogue because all active
participants (offenders, victims, and panelists) have
an equal voice in the discussion of the harm(s) and
the resolution. The model aims to facilitate an open
dialogue by eliminating any actual or perceived
positions of power among the active participants.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Neighborhood
Court model was validated as a successful approach
when it was adopted by one of the largest public law
offices in the country, the Los Angles City Attorney’s
Office, for use in its prosecution of misdemeanors and
infractions in their Neighborhood Justice Program. The
Santa Clara District Attorney's Office will implement a
pilot program in the city of Los Gatos based on the
Neighborhood Court model. Other prosecution
agencies, including Shasta County District Attorney's
Office, have also expressed an interest in creating
their own restorative justice programs similar to
Neighborhood Court.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS AT
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT'S 2nd ANNIVERSARY
From left to right: Jeff Reisig (District Attorney), Chris Bulkeley (Deputy D.A.), and Pat Grieshop. UPCOMING TRAINING FOR NEW RECRUITS
Learn about Neighborhood Court! This summer, we are holding a series of training dates where new recruits
can learn about the Neighborhood Court process, the principles of restorative justice, and other topics. For
Neighborhood Court to be successful, the District Attorney's Office relies on dedicated community volunteers. If you
know anyone who may be interested in volunteering, please contact Nicole Kirkaldy at
Nicole.Kirkaldy@YoloCounty.org or come out to a training session listed below. All recruits from any city are
encouraged and welcome to participate regardless of the training's location.
July 11, 2015 "New Panelist" training in Woodland
August 29, 2015 "New Panelist" training in West Sacramento or Woodland (location to be determined) Page 61
UPCOMING TRAINING FOR CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Learn more about Neighborhood Court! This summer, we are holding a series of training dates where existing
volunteers can freshen up on familiar topics as well as learn new ones. All volunteers from any city are encouraged
and welcome to participate regardless of the training's location. July 1, 2015 "Introduction to Police Practices" training in Davis
July 13, 2015 "Peer to Peer Best Practices" training in West Sacramento
July 30, 2015 "Mental Health Resources and Referral" training in West Sacramento
August 18, 2015 "Peer to Peer Best Practices" training in Davis
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT'S ADVISORY BOARD
The Advisory Board meets monthly to address issues
and concerns brought forth by Neighborhood Court
staff and volunteers and make recommendations
geared toward the resolution of those concerns. Status Updates
HotButton Topics
1. The proposal of an "offender as panelist" policy is
still pending consideration. If the proposal is approved,
there is a possibility of a pilot program starting in
Davis. This quarter, the Advisory Board discussed the
following hotbutton topics among others: (1) whether
Neighborhood Court should create an "offender as
panelist" policy to address when it would be
appropriate and eligible for an offender to volunteer as
a panelist; (2) what supplementary or periodic training
is desired or needed by the volunteers; (3) what
changes, if any, should be made to the existing policy
regarding indigent feewaiver; and (4) how to improve
the program's evaluation process.
2. Volunteers have expressed an interest for further
supplementary training in the areas of peertopeer
best practices discussion; mental health resources
and referrals; introduction to police practices;
description of the programs offered in the menu of
options; and training for direct victim cases. In
response, the Neighborhood Court Team has
scheduled four upcoming training dates with more
expected in the near future. Please see page 3 for
upcoming training sessions. What's New?
1. Offense List
NHC has expanded the eligible offense list to include 22 additional
offenses. The new offense list is now available for review at
yoloda.org/nc. 2. Agreement Form
The agreement form was recently modified. The form now includes a
check box that allows volunteers to receive a copy of the written
products (e.g., apology letters, research papers, etc) of the offenders. 3. Menu of Options
Page 62
"Onestop career centers and workshops" was added as a resource in
the menu of options. Onestop offers a free employment center where
staff members assist participants in job search techniques. Onestop
also includes a free fifteenday career workshop. For a complete list of
the recent additions to the menu of options, please visit yoloda.org/nc.
NEIGHBORHOOD COURT WELCOMES JAKE WHITAKER TO THE TEAM
Jake Whitaker is the most recent member added to the Neighborhood Court
Team. As a legal process clerk, Jake will primarily provide administrative support,
maintain offender case files, and track statistical data. Although his childhood
dream was to be a racecar driving timetraveler, Jake is excited to live out his
secondarychildhood dream of being a public servant. Since the age of two, Jake has been a Woodland resident. He earned a
Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy from Willamette
University in Salem, Oregon. While living in Oregon, Jake worked in the State
Legislature, first as an intern, and later as a paid legislative assistant. Jake loves to sing! One of his most enjoyable memories from college was singing
in choir. As a high school student, he performed in musical theater. Some may
recognize Jake from Les Miserables at the Woodland Opera House back in
2010. BEST PRACTICES
This section is an opportunity for volunteers to ask trainers and staff members questions about best practices. The
Neighborhood Court Team encourages volunteers to submit questions regarding training or live experiences. After
the Neighborhood Court Team reviews the questions, a trainer or a staff member will provide a written response to
the selected question(s). Please email questions to Vietnam Nguyen, Deputy District Attorney and Editor of
Neighborhood Court Quarterly, at Vietnam.Nguyen@YoloCounty.org. Question: Why do we need to debrief after the conferences?
Answer: It’s 9:00pm, you had a full day at work then came to NHC to be a panelist in two cases and you are
exhausted! You gather your things to leave but the facilitator asks you to sit down because you are not done yet—
what?!? The postconference debrief is a vital part of the entire NHC process. A good debrief allows panelists to reflect on
what worked well and most importantly on what didn’t work well, so that all participants benefit from continued
learning. We all have something to learn and unless we take the time to reflect, give and receive feedback, and
commit to improving our skills, we can get stuck in old or destructive habits that compromise the quality of the
services we offer. A good debrief is well structured, efficient and effective. The facilitator should take the lead with the process by
having panelists complete a written evaluation. Then, allowing for some space to “vent” is often helpful. Remember
that because of confidentiality, we cannot discuss what happened outside the conference room or with anyone not
on staff so this venting addresses our need to process our experience. Page 63
Next, each panelist shares one thing they did that worked well for them. And finally, each panelist shares one thing
that did not work so well and a specific skill, knowledge or attitude they would like to improve. The facilitator then
provides specific feedback to panelists and addresses any lingering questions so that everyone leaves the
conference with a sense of accomplishment and direction for their next time at NHC. So next time you participate in a NHC conference, remember the importance of the post conference debrief and
work with your fellow panelists and facilitator to make this a productive, efficient and educational experience. Answer Submitted By: Elvia Garcia, NHC Facilitator and Trainer
PREVIEW OF OUR NEXT EDITION
In our next edition, Neighborhood Quarterly will feature an article regarding the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office
new "Homeless Diversion Program" (working title). The "Homeless Diversion Program" will use the principles of
restorative justice to address certain criminal violations committed by the homeless population in the cities of Davis,
West Sacramento, and Woodland. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide volunteers
with information on the program, such as a story on
best practices, future training events, updates in either
the menu of options or agreement form, introductions
to staff members, or a space for articles written by
volunteers. In the future, publications will be sent out
quarterly in the months of March, June, September,
and December. CONTACT US
530.681.6323
neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org
Neighborhood Court Quarterly welcomes ideas for
future articles, submissions of articles, comments,
questions, or concerns. Please email any feedback to
Vietnam Nguyen, Deputy District Attorney and Editor
of Neighborhood Court Quarterly, at
Vietnam.Nguyen@YoloCounty.org.
CONNECT WITH US
www.facebook.com/YoloCountyNeighborhoodCourt
www.yoloda.org/nc Page 64
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A two-year birthday party was held in Davis on Tuesday night for the Yolo County Neighborhood Court Program,
complete with cake and recognition of volunteers by District Attorney Jeff Reisig, right. The program is now being
expanded to Woodland and West Sacramento.
Neighborhood Court program
celebrates birthday in Davis
By Democrat staff
The Yolo County Neighborhood Court program
took over the Community
Room at the Davis Police
Department to celebrate
its two-year anniversary
Thesday.
The Neighborhood Court
program began in 2013 in
the city of Davis and the
UC Davis and has recently
branched out to the cities
of West Sacramento and
Woodland.
Neighborhood Court is
an adult criminal diversion program based on restorative justice that addresses criminal violations
which affect the quality of
,life in the community. It of~fer_s an alter native to crim;inal court.
At the Davis party, there
In 2013, Neighborhood
was a traditional cake cut- Court in Davis held 154 canting as well as words of ferences and the number of
appreciation from District conferences more than douAttorney Jeff Reisig to the bled to 338 in 2014.
men and women volunteers
Neighborhood Court
who hear and decide cases continues to expand the
brought before them.
program's list of eligible
Rather than charging a offenses.
case for prosecution, the
By the end of this year,
District Attorney's Office the program will also exrefers certain low-level pand and begin focusing
misdemeanors and in-·. its attention on cases infractions to Neighborhood volving the population of
Court where a panel of homeless offenders in the
trained community volun- county.
teers participates in a facilFor Neighborhood Court
itated conference with the to be successful, the Disoffender.
trict Attorney relies on
All conferences are con- volunteers, and in Davis
fidential and participation more than 100 people have
by the offender is com- stepped forward to make
pletely voluntary but vic- contributions.
tims must consent to the
Volunteers are needed
offender participati ng in on weekday evenings and
th e program .
the t ime commitment is
very flexible.
People interested in volunteering for Neighborhood Court - particularly
those in Woodland and
West Sacramento - are
needed. The next presentation of the program is set
from 6:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 9, at the Woodland Police Department
Public Safety Room, 1000
Lincoln Ave.
For more information
about the Neighborhood
Court program or to download a volunteer application, go to www.yoloda.
orgjnc.
People can also contact the program directly
by email at neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org or by
phone at 666-8378.
Page 65
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Comment
Share
Gary Sand·y
Ye;:, terdc y a 8:58 P
This is a great program that ne~eds Woodland
volunteers to serve on the panel. Step up for positive
change in our c~ommunity! Let me know if you need
more info1
Nei ~ghborhood
Court a s.u ccess story
Woodland just celebrated a success story of sorts in Da ...
, ly en1 c at.co
15 Likes 5 Cornn :nts
Page 66
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/opinion/20150620/neighborhood-court-a-success-story
Neighborhood Court a success story
Posted: 06/20/15, 3:28 PM PDT Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago
DailyDemocrat.com
Woodland just celebrated a success story of sorts in Davis. Now wait, before you go all “Woodland” on us,
this celebration affects those of us in the City of Trees just as much as it does anyone lives in Yolo County.
This past Tuesday evening, there was cake, punch and a lot of good cheer at the second birthday party for
the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Court.
The Neighborhood Court program began in 2013 in Davis and is now branching out Woodland and West
Sacramento. A presentation on the program is planned at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, at the Woodland Police
Department, 1000 Lincoln Ave. because volunteers are needed to help get this program underway here.
Neighborhood Court is an adult criminal diversion program based on a concept called “restorative justice,”
which means that people with criminal violations that affect the overall quality of life in the community are
given an alternative to criminal court. Rather than charging a case for prosecution, the DA’s Office refers
some low-level misdemeanors and infractions to Neighborhood Court, where a panel of trained volunteers
work with the offender and the victim to mete out justice.
In 2013, the Neighborhood Court in Davis held 154 conferences. In 2014, the number of conferences more
than doubled to 338. Neighborhood Court is also expanding the list of those eligible for consideration to
include people who are homeless.
To date, more than 100 community volunteers have supported this program and more are needed.
Volunteers are given the opportunity to help improve the quality of life in their city by working with others to
address harms to their community caused by the effects of crime, and working together to identify solutions
to help offenders avoid repeating the same mistakes that led to their original offense. Volunteers are
needed on weekday evenings, and the time commitment is very flexible.
Here’s your chance to stop complaining about “criminals” and actually administer community justice. It’s
up to you.
Page 67
Page 1 of 1
Jul 16, 2015 04:37:30PM MDT
Neighborhood Court puts restoration over punishment Davis Enterprise
Page 1 of 10
Search on for Winters shooting suspect
Neighborhood Court puts
restoration over punishment
Neighborhood Court volunteers convene for a session of restorative justice in
October at 600 A St. Facilitator Elvia Garcia, left, and community panelists
James Cubbage, Joe Schwartz and Amanda Uhrhammer listen while "Katie"
talks about her arrest for public intoxication. Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise photo
By Lauren Keene
From page A1 | November 19, 2013 | Leave Comment
Katie did her best to recall that August night.
The 20-year-old UC Davis student remembered going to a
friend’s house and downing multiple shots of tequila “as a
stress reliever.” Her next memory was of arriving at a
downtown nightclub, where a friend of hers was the bouncer
on duty.
Page 68
http://www.davisenterprise.com/local-news/crime-fire-courts/neighborhood-court-puts-restoration-... 11/19/2013
Page 2 of 10
“He saw I was really drunk, so he offered to walk me home,”
Katie recalled as a panel of three Davis residents listened. “The
next thing I remember, I was in the back of a (police) car with
my hands handcuffed behind me,” an experience followed by a
night in the “drunk tank.”
The police report tells more — how Katie seemed confused
about which house was hers, prompting her concerned friend
to summon the cops. An expletive-laced confrontation
between Katie and the officers ensued, leading to the young
woman’s arrest on public intoxication charges.
Not long ago, the arrest likely would have required Katie to
hire an attorney and go to court, an expensive and timeconsuming process resulting in a lingering criminal record
and, some say, no real insight into why Katie committed her
alleged crime in the first place.
As a first-time offender, Katie was invited to take part in the
Yolo County district attorney’s new Neighborhood Court
program, where participants avoid a potential conviction while
collaborating with community members to repair the harm
they caused.
“They made a mistake, and we’re allowing them an alternative
— to take care of it without going to court,” said Chris
Bulkeley, the deputy district attorney who oversees the
program. The court system benefits as well, with fewer lowlevel misdemeanors and infractions crowding the docket.
Hearings confidential
Neighborhood Court is modeled after a similar program
initiated several years ago in San Francisco under the concept
of “restorative justice” — focusing on the unique needs of the
victim, the offender and the community at large.
The hearings, which are confidential, comprise a three-step
process: with the help of a facilitator, offenders tell their
stories to a panel of local volunteers, who respond by
describing how such conduct affects their town’s quality of life.
Together, the offender, facilitator and panelists discuss
possible methods for restoring the community harm.
“The idea is that if they’re part of the solution, they’re more
likely to follow through and less likely to reoffend,” Bulkeley
said. “Our program is not designed to be punitive. It’s
designed to be restorative.”
Page 69
Page 3 of 10
District Attorney Jeff Reisig said feedback from the
participants so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I sincerely believe that Neighborhood Court is so much more
meaningful for the parties,” Reisig said. Community members
“are happy to be part of the solution. We’ve totally engaged
them in the restorative justice process, and that alone is such a
huge benefit of this program.”
UCD Police Chief Matt Carmichael agreed.
“My first take on this is I am absolutely impressed with the
level of dedication of the people who are volunteering,”
Carmichael said. Reisig “is totally looking out for the needs of
the community, and that’s also impressive.”
There are several requirements for taking part in the voluntary
program, which so far has focused on Davis-area crimes but is
slated to expand into other Yolo County communities. Reisig
said West Sacramento will launch its own Neighborhood
Court early next year.
First, participants must be first-time offenders. They and the
victim — if there is one — must agree to the process, and
offenders must acknowledge their wrongdoing before going
into the hearing.
“We’re not talking about guilt or innocence. We’re focusing on
the harm caused by the conduct,” Bulkeley said.
Alcohol a common factor
Just over 100 hearings have been held since the program got
its start in April, with officers handing out yellow
Neighborhood Court “tickets” along with their citations. To
participate, offenders pay fees ranging from $120 for
infractions to $350 for misdemeanors.
Bulkeley said a majority of the hearings have involved socalled “quality of life” crimes, such as public intoxication,
noise complaints and vandalism, but are expanding to include
more serious offenses such as batteries, thefts and resisting
arrest in which a victim is involved.
Many of the offenses share alcohol as a common denominator,
which Davis Police Chief Landy Black said has surprised some
of the volunteer panelists.
Page 70
Page 4 of 10
“It highlighted that alcohol was an issue, and they wanted to
know how to handle this better,” Black said of the volunteers
he has spoken with. Panelists have sought out information
about alcohol counseling and other resources that are
available to the offenders.
“Many of the issues are longer-term processes — how can we
make certain we get them on the right track?” Black said.
In Katie’s case, the restorative agreement called for her to
meet with UCD’s alcohol and drug intervention coordinator to
identify alternative methods for dealing with stress,
particularly during high-pressure periods such as midterms
and finals. Katie also offered to write a letter of apology to her
arresting officer, along with one of thanks to the bouncer who
took care of her.
“This is a really good outcome to this night,” panelist James
Cubbage, a UCD employee, told Katie. “There are a lot of
potential outcomes to that night that are not pretty. But you’re
here with us, and that’s great.”
At another hearing, a UCD graduate who received a noise
violation ticket a few months earlier offered
to speak to friends
ε
who were with her that night about the importance of living
peacefully among their neighbors.
“I’m sure people were trying to sleep,” said the woman, who
now works in the Bay Area. “I understand — I have to be up at
6 in the morning.”
Many of Neighborhood Court’s participants are UCD students,
some of whom may not see themselves as members of the
community, “but they are, and one of our goals is to make
them understand that,” Bulkeley said. “You have to be
considerate of the people around you.”
Volunteer panelist Carlos Matos, a retired substance-abuse
therapist for Yolo County, said by delving deeper into their
behavior, offenders receive other valuable lessons as well: an
understanding of why they committed their crimes, insight
into how their actions are perceived by others, and tools to
prevent them from happening again.
“This process is a lot better than paying fines and having a
record that can affect you for the rest of your life,” he said. “It
restores you and it restores the community.”
Page 71
Page 5 of 10
Local residents, including members of the UCD community,
are still being sought to serve as panelists and facilitators for
the Neighborhood Court program. For more information, or to
apply online, visit www.yoloda.org.
— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or 530
-747-8048. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenkeene
Page 72
.10-NEWS
DAILYDEMOCRAT.COM
Neighborhood Court expanding
to deal with homeless people
By Democrat Staff
Growing in popularity, Yolo County's Neighborhood Court system is
expanding to delve into
homelessness and ways of
forcing people who live on
the streets to get help if
needed.
District Attorney Jeff
Reisig announced that the
Yolo County Neighborhood
Court program has created
the Homeless Restorative
Justice Program.
The new homeless program is a collaboration between the District Attorney's Office, the Health and
Human Services Agency,
local law enforcement
agencies and coniumunity
members.
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Jon-.
athan Raven, Neighborhood Court is an adult
criminal diversion program based on restorative
justice that addresses
criminal violations which
affects the quality of life
in the community. It offers
an alternative to criminal
court.
"Rather than charging
a case for prosecution, the
District Attorney's Office
will refer certain misdemeanors and infractions
to Neighborhood Court,"
according to Raven. "In
Neighborhood Court, a,
panel of trained volunteers from the community
participates in a facilitated
conference with the offender. All conferences are
confidential and participation by the offender is completely voluntary. In addition, any victim must also
consent to the program for
a case to be diverted into
Neighborhood Court. If either the victim or the offender does not agree, the
matter will be handled in
the traditional criminal
justice system."
TESSA TERRILL — DAILY DEMOCRAT
Citizens work with a person in the Yolo County District
Attorney's Neighborhood Court program. The program is
now expanding to include those who are homeless.
The new Homeless Restorative Justice Program
expands the existing program by focusing on the
homeless populations in
Davis, Woodland and West
Sacramento.
"Emphasis will be placed
on health, behavioral
health, housing and selfsufficiency of the homeless or situational homeless offender," according
to Raven. "This expansion
will not be limited to first
time offenders but will address homeless individuals
with varied criminal histories. The program will use
the conferences to come to
agreements with these offenders that include access
to state, county and nonprofit resources that can
assist these individuals to
change their current living
situation. A social worker
practitioner will provide
short term case management services, including
information and assistance, goal oriented counseling, and linkages to employment, mental health
and substance abuse services if needed."
Raven noted that a major addition to the existing conference process is
that the social worker will
also hold a pre-conference
meeting with the homeless
offender to access the offender's needs.
"This assessment will
lead to the creation of a six
month case plan that addresses health, behavioral
health, housing and selfsufficiency which will assist the conference participants with information for
the agreement and also assist the offender in determining how they will avoid
the criminal conduct in the
future," Raven reported.
"The social worker will be
able to assist the homeless offender in following
through on the case plan
and the agreement by obtaining access to resources
and then following up with
the offender to help them.
succeed in using these resources to complete their
agreement."
Homeless people tend
to be fearful of attending
court, yet their outstanding
warrants limit their reintegration into society, deterring them from using social
services and impeding their
access to employment, according to the District Attorney's Office. Much like
the homeless courts in San
Diego and Los Angeles the
conferences will be held in
community facilities to al-
low homeless individuals to
feel more comfortable.
"For Neighborhood
Court to be successful, the
District Attorney's Office
relies on the dedicated volunteers who are given the
opportunity to help improve the quality of life in
their city by working with
fellow citizens to address
harms to their community caused by the effects
of crime, and they work together to identify solutions
to help offenders avoid repeating the same mistakes
that led to their original offense," Raven stated. "This
program creates an atmosphere of inclusion and responsibility by providing a
direct role for residents to
oversee the resolution of
offenses in their city.
To date 'more 150 community volunteers have
supported this innovative
program and more are
needed. The conferences
with the offenders are held
on weekday evenings and
the volunteer commitment
is very flexible. Volunteers
must complete the appropriate training and must
complete a Live-Scan background check.
The next training session for volunteers will be
held at the Davis Police
Department on Saturday,
Oct. 10. Volunteer applications are available online.
The application deadline is
Oct. 8, for this training. Re-.
cruiting is ongoing, and future training dates will be
available. For more information on the Neighborhood Court program go to
www.yoloda.org/nc. There
will also be an informational meeting from 6:30
to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday,
at the Davis Police Department. People can also contact the program directly
by email at neighborhoodcourt@yolocounty.org or
by phone at 666-8378.
l
StOg '12 xequieldaS 'aPunS
2
NERMINCOMOSIEBNINNK<P..
4
DA seeks volunte rs for Neighborhoo
t, h
der ro rai
•
ENTERPRISE STAFF
The Yolo County District
Attorney's Office is seeking volunteers to participate in the Neighborhood
Court program and the
new Homeless Restorative
Justice Program.
Neighborhood Court is
an adult criminal diversion
program based on restorative justice that addresses
criminal violations impacting a community's quality
of life. Rather than charging a case for prosecution,
the District Attorney's
Office will refer certain
low-level misdemeanors
and infractions to a panel of
trained community volunteers in a facilitated conference with the offender.
require the consent of both
the victim and the offender.
Anyone interested in
learning more about these
programs or volunteering
is invited to attend a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
The new Homeless Wednesday at the Davis
Restorative Justice Pro- Police Department, 2600
gram is an expansion of Fifth St.
Neighborhood Court that
For more inthrmation
takes the homeless offend- about Neighborhood Court,
ers out of court and into a visit www.yoloda.org/nc,
program that emphasizes call 530-666-8378 or email
social services. All confer- neighborhoodcourt@yolo
ences are confidential and county.org.
MIN=

Program Packet - Center for Court Innovation

Transcription

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