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Restorative justice has been seen as a way of diverting young offenders away from formal justice processes that are stigmatising.
Legilature, State of Vermont. 2a. Restorative justice.
It is the policy of this state that principles of restorative justice be included in shaping how the criminal justice system responds to persons charged with or convicted of criminal offenses. The policy goal is a community response to a person's wrongdoing at its earliest onset, and a type and intensity of sanction tailored to each instance of wrongdoing. (excerpt)
Oregon Legislative Assembly. Oregon Family Decision-Making Meeting Law (Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 417.365 to 417.375)
Oregon Revised Statutes law covering Family decision-making meetings, with the following sections: 417.365 “Family decision-making meeting" defined for ORS 417.365 to 417.375. 417.368 Consideration of meeting required for certain cases. 417.371 Notice to family members of meeting; definitions. 417.375 Development of family plan; contents.
Saskatchewan Justice. Use of Adult Alternative Measures in Saskatchewan: 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Appendices: Alternative Measures Policies
Over the past several years, many agencies and justice organizations have developed alternative measures programs as a way of dealing with conflict. As a result, both the federal and provincial governments have developed policies and guidelines regarding the use of alternative measures and the development of alternative measures programs. This booklet introduces the concept of alternative measures and provides the legislation and policies that govern the use of alternative measures in Saskatchewan. (excerpt)
Solicitor General, Canada. Consolidated Report: Report on the Provisions and Operations of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act
This report provides information on the CCRA and related issues in order to support review of the legislation by a parliamentary committee. As such, this report is factual, presenting detailed information on legislative implementation, and perceived impacts and effects. The report has six sections. The first is the executive summary, followed by this brief introductory section. The third section provides a short history of corrections and conditional release in Canada. Section four situates the CCRA in context during its development and initial implementation. Key challenges and opportunities in the 1980s, and 1990s are outlined in this section. Section five provides detailed information on the provisions and operations of the CCRA from November 1992 to March 31, 1997. Information is also provided for the very limited experience with changes to the CCRA which were introduced through Bill C-55 in July 1997. The final section (six) provides brief concluding remarks. (excerpt)
State of Alabama. The Code of Alabama 1975. Section 15 Criminal Procedure.
Chapter 16-180 deals with funding for community based programme including victim offender reconciliation
State of Alaska.. Alaska Statute 12.55.011
Sec. 12.55.011. Victim and community involvement in sentencing. A court, when considering the sentence to be imposed under this chapter for an offense other than a violation of AS 11.41, AS 11.46.400 , or a crime involving domestic violence, may permit the victim and the offender to submit a sentence for the court's review based upon a negotiated agreement between the victim and the offender, or between the offender and the community if there is no victim. The court may, with the consent of the victim and the offender, impose the sentence that has been determined by the negotiated agreement between the offender and the victim, or between the offender and the community if there is no victim, if that sentence otherwise complies with this chapter and accomplishes the goals of restoration of the victim and the community and rehabilitation of the offender. Before accepting a negotiated agreement, the court shall determine that the victim has not been intimidated or coerced in reaching the agreement. In this section, "community" has the meaning determined by the court. (excerpt)
State of Arizona.. Arizona Revised Statute 8-419 (Title 8 Children).
8-419. Victim reconciliation services The presiding judge of the juvenile court in each county may establish and provide voluntary victim reconciliation and restitution services to assist victims of juvenile crimes. (excerpt)
State of Arizona.. Arizona Revised Statute12-299 Community Punishment Program.
Section 12-299.01 provides for victim offender reconciliation.
State of Delaware.. Title 11. Crimes and Criminal Procedure. Special Programs. Chapter 95. Victim Offender Mediation.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The resolution of felony, misdemeanor and juvenile delinquent disputes can be costly and complex in a judicial setting where the parties involved are necessarily in an adversary posture and subject to formalized procedures; and (2) Victim-offender mediation programs can meet the needs of Delaware's citizens by providing forums in which persons may voluntarily participate in the resolution of certain criminal offenses in an informal and less adversarial atmosphere. (excerpt)
State of Florida.. The 2006 Florida Statutes. Chapter 985 Juvenile Justice; Interstate Compact on Juveniles
(2) NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER.-- (a) The state attorney may establish at least one Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center in designated geographical areas in the county for the purposes of operating a deferred prosecution program for first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders. (b) The state attorney may refer any first-time, nonviolent juvenile offender accused of committing a delinquent act to a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center. (excerpt)
State of Kansas.. Kansas Statutes. 36*1663. Chapter 38 Minors. Article 16-- Kansas Juvenile Justice Code
Allows for mediation between victim and offender in responding to juvenile crimes.
State of Missouri.. Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 217 Department of Corrections Section 217.777.
(1) The department shall provide a program of training to eligible volunteers and develop specific conditions of a probation program and conditions of probation for offenders referred to it by the court. Such conditions, as established by the community boards and the department, may include compensation and restitution to the community and the victim by fines, fees, day fines, victim-offender mediation, participation in victim impact panels, community service, or a combination of the aforementioned conditions; (excerpt)
State of Montana.. Montana Code Annotated. Titel 2. Government Structute and Administration.
Sections 1-15-2013~2-15-2014 deal with the Office of restorative jsutice and the Restorative justice fund.
State of Tennessee.. Tennessee Code: Title 16 Courts: Chapter 20: The Victim-Offender Mediation Center.
(a) The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) The resolution of felony, misdemeanor and juvenile delinquent disputes can be costly and complex in a judicial setting where the parties involved are necessarily in an adversary posture and subject to formalized procedures; and (2) Victim-offender mediation centers can meet the needs of Tennessee's citizens by providing forums in which persons may voluntarily participate in the resolution of disputes in an informal and less adversarial atmosphere. (excerpt)
State of Texas.. Texas Statutes. Code of Criminal Procedure.
Article 42.12 refers to victim offender mediation; 56.02 refers to the right of crime victims to request mediation; 56.13 adresses victim offender mediation;
Umbreit, Mark S and Lightfoot, Elizabeth and Fier, Johnathan and Lightfoot, Elizabeth. Legislative Statues on Victim Offender Mediation: A National Review
Victim-offender mediation – a framework for dialogue between crime victims and offenders – is one of the basic tools of restorative justice. The purpose in producing this report is to document existing statutory authority relating to victim-offender mediation (VOM) in states in the United States. Specifically, while mediation procedures are relatively common in civil and family law statutes, the focus of this analysis is to look at mediation in criminal cases. The existence of specific provisions for VOM in state codes is important in providing a structure for the implementation of VOM in a state, though the degree of statutory authority does not necessarily correspond to the actual development and use of VOM programs in a state. However, without statutory provisions for VOM, there is little legal authority, protection, or specific funding mechanism for those involved in VOM. This study, then, consists of a comprehensive computer-based search, using VOM language and VOM types of activities, of all state codes. Mediation in civil cases was excluded from the analysis. The report presents findings from this search on a state-by state-basis. It also includes the researchers’ categorization of states and their statutory provisions on a continuum from “little or no mention of VOMâ€? to a “comprehensive VOM legislative framework.â€?
Washington State Legislature.. Revised Code of Washington. Title 13. Jvenile Courts and Juvenile Offenders.
Section 13.40.070 refers to referral to mediation or reconciliation programs.
White Earth Band of Chippewa. Title III. Tribal Juvenile Justice Code.
30. “Peacemaking Circle” is a community directed process, in partnership with the tribal court, for developing consensus on an appropriate sentencing plan which address the concerns of all interested parties. Peacemaking circles use traditional circle ritual and structure to create a respectful space in which all interested community members, elders, victims, victim supporters, judge, attorney, police and court workers can speak from the heart in a shared search for understanding of the event and to identify the steps necessary to assist in healing all affected parties and to prevent future occurrences. (extract)

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RJ Around the World

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Search 8903 publications on restorative justice
Restorative Justice Continuum
Howard Zehr discusses the need to think in terms of restorativeness.
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behaviour. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders. More

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