Juvenile Court Restorative Dialogue Programs

About the Restorative Dialogue Program

The Utah Administrative Office of the Courts, through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Department, and the Utah Juvenile Court have created several programs which allow victims of crime, juvenile offenders, schools, and other community stakeholders to participate in face to face dialogue to discuss the harm caused by crime or truancy and ways to repair the harm. These programs, which include: victim offender mediation, restorative group conferencing, talking circles, and truancy mediation are based upon Restorative Justice principles.

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice emphasizes the way in which crime harms relationships between people who live in a community. Crime is seen as a wound that affects victims and communities rather than simply a violation against the state. Restorative Justice focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims, holding offenders accountable for the harm they have caused, and bringing together victims, offenders and the community to identify ways to repair the harm. The offender is encouraged to take direct responsibility for his or her actions.