Sandy Youth Court

Sandy Youth Court offers an alternative approach to juvenile justice in which youth referred for minor offenses are sentenced by a jury of their peers. Youth Court employs a restorative justice-based approach that applies the skills and abilities of Sandy City youth to provide a positive peer influence, to hold youth accountable for their actions, and to strengthen their ties to school and community. Youth Court is an alternative to Juvenile Court for many first-time offenders. The program has three main components: 1) court hearings 2) peer mentoring and 3) community connection.<br /><br />The Sandy Youth Court provides a peer based intervention to help get kids on the right track and give them a second chance. This is done by teaching them in the choices class, assisting them in community service at non-profit organizations in the community, tutoring, weekly mentor meetings, and holding a mission of restorative justice. Sandy Youth Court has individualized dispositions for each kid depending on their hearing before a panel of their peers. Volunteers can contact Aubrey McKnight about the application process. We generally accept applications in the Spring. However, if there are openings, exceptions could be made. Youth Court is held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-8:30pm at the Sandy Justice Center. Volunteers must be able to attend court at these times. There is also a mandatory summer training held each year (make-up training is available upon approval). Volunteers will sit on the jury, fulfill various roles in the courtroom, and act as mentors to the youth coming through the program.<br /><br />Website: <a href="https://www.sandy.utah.gov/427/Youth-Court">https://www.sandy.utah.gov/427/Youth-Court</a>