County to debut ‘Neighborhood Court’
SANTA CRUZ >> Referred to as a form of “restorative justice,” neighbors impacted by low-level offenses may soon have a say in how those caught doing the crime are treated.
Santa Cruz County is launching a new “Neighborhood Court” program that would allow affected community volunteers to serve as the “court” for defendants accused of minor misdemeanors in their neighborhoods. For the accused who are “diverted” voluntarily out of the criminal justice system, there will be no judges, juries or attorneys, no guilty or innocent pleas.
“Neighborhood Cour ts addresses criminal violations that impact the quality of life in the community and is an alternative to entering into criminal court,” according to a Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office release. “The purpose of the program is to: reduce recidivism, address the harm, and restore the local community, victim, and offender back into the community.”
The Neighborhood Court program is voluntary and confidential and participants must be will
Chief Nader Oweis and Santa
Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills. Zoom meeting: zoom.us. Meeting ID: 972 7743 5667, Passcode: K7p5Mu. Phone: 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799, ID: 972 7743 5667, password: 762967
• Series 3: Scotts Valley. 6 p.m. Oct. 15, with District Attorney Jeff Rosell, 5th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson and Scotts Valley Police Chief Steve Walpole. Zoom meeting: zoom.us. Meeting ID: 9840615 6310, Passcode: vRyaH1. Phone: 669-900-9128 or 253-215-8782, ID: 9840615 6310, password: 876773.
• Series 4: Capitola. 6 p.m.
Oct. 19, with District Attorney Jeff Rosell, 1st and 2nd District Supervisors John Leopold and Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart and Capitola Police Chief Terry McManus. Zoom meeting: zoom.us. Meeting ID: 962 7695 0374, Passcode: wdhWH6. Phone: 669-900-9128 or 253-215-8782, ID: 962 7695 0374, password: 664614.