Adult Services
The Burlington Community Justice Center offers a range of restorative justice programs for adults who are navigating the legal system.
These programs give people a chance to take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and work towards healing. Participants collaborate with staff and community volunteers to reflect on what happened, how people were impacted, and what amends can be made to make things as right as possible.
Restorative Justice: An Alternative to Going to Court Video Series
Available in 15 languages.
Click on the language to view.
English, ASL, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Mandarin, Nepali,
Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
This project was supported by grant # 03420-09829, Rural Pilots to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disparities State of Vermont Department of Health and the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic.
How It Works
Restorative processes are unique to each person and situation, and generally follow these steps:
Adult Programs
Pretrial
Services
Pretrial Services are available for people who may need mental health or substance use support while they navigate the court process. You can either be referred by the court or refer yourself. Importantly, if you decide not to participate, you won’t face any extra charges or a violation of your release conditions.
Precharge Referrals
Precharge referrals offer restorative interventions before a situation reaches civil or criminal court. Referrals may come from the community, police departments, or the State’s Attorneys Office. Referrals are usually low-level misdemeanors and first-time offenses.
Court Diversion
Court Diversion is a restorative alternative to the traditional court process for people charged with a crime. Referrals to the program are made by the State’s Attorneys Office. Participation is voluntary, but individuals must admit to the offense and take steps to address the harm caused. When someone completes the program successfully, the charges are dismissed and expunged.
تقدم BCJC تدريبات على الممارسة الإصلاحية (RP) للموظفين وأعضاء هيئة التدريس وتشارك في فرق تنفيذ RP الخاصة بهم. أحد أوجه التعاون الأخيرة هو شراكتنا مع مدرسة Burlington High School في تحديد وتدريب قادة الطلاب الذين يمكنهم التطوع في لجان شباب العدالة الإصلاحية في المدرسة. هذه طريقة رائعة لزيادة صوت الطلاب وتعلم المهارات الإصلاحية ومنح الطلاب الآخرين فرصة ثانية. يتلقى الطلاب أيضًا ساعات خدمة المجتمع لأي تدريب أو خدمة يكملونها من خلال BCJC. بالإضافة إلى ذلك ، يتم تضمينهم في مجموعة من المتطوعين للرد على الحوادث في الحرم الجامعي على مدار العام. ستقام هذه اللوحات بعد المدرسة خلال العام وتكون بديلاً للتعليق.
لمزيد من المعلومات حول خدمات الشباب لدينا ، يرجى الاتصال بكيلي آرينز ، مديرة البرامج الإصلاحية للشباب على (802)865-7169 أو kahrens@burlingtonvt.gov