FAQs (frequently asked questions) for Restorative Justice Conferences
General RJ Questions:
Who can use restorative justice?
Answer: In Fort Collins, Restorative Justice Services are for young people (age 10-20) who commit a crime in Fort Collins. Most RJ cases deal with misdemeanors and first-time offenders. The program does accept felonies and repeat offenders after screening and approval from the referral source.
Victims of crime may also request a restorative justice conference. The request should be made to whatever agency is holding the offender responsible for the crime; courts, district attorney’s office, law enforcement, probation, etc.
How do I make a referral to Restorative Justice?
Answer: For referrals to the Fort Collins Restorative Justice Programs, young offenders or their parents/guardians can ask to participate in a restorative justice program. A private citizen may ask for restorative justice conferencing to be used, however the request must be made to the source responsible for referring the matter (i.e. police officer, district attorney, municipal court, etc.) In addition, victims can also request a restorative justice conference.
What are the requirements of a restorative justice conference?
Answer:
What is the difference between restorative justice and our traditional legal system?
Answer: Traditionally when a crime is committed, the justice system has been primarily concerned with three questions:
This type of approach is considered retributive, where the intent is to get retribution or punishment for an offense committed.
Restorative justice programs emphasize three different questions:
This approach is restorative, where the intent is to restore the victim and community affected by the crime as close as possible to pre-crime conditions.
That is the basic philosophical difference. There are many other procedural differences as well.
What if I participate in a restorative justice conference and I don’t like the outcome?
Answer: In a Restorative Justice conference, the outcome or agreement coming out of the conference is one that must be acceptable to everyone present. If you participate in a conference, you will have a say in what goes into the agreement and will be part of building a solution that is agreeable to you as well as everyone else present.
Who is part of a restorative justice conference?
Answer: A Restorative Justice conference is put together by the program staff (director and case manager) and community volunteers who help coordinate and facilitate these conferences. The circle will also include one or more victim/s or victim representatives, the offender or offenders, parents of any offender under 18, support people for the victim, other affected community members (if applicable) and community representatives, who are often trained restorative justice volunteers.
What do people talk about in a restorative justice conference?
Answer: Conference participants focus the first part of the conference on who was affected or harmed by the incident (crime) and how they were affected. Everyone participates in this facilitated conversation. After the circle has identified all the harm caused by the incident, circle participants then discuss how the harm could be repaired. Again, everyone participates in this discussion. The circle then builds a contract for the offender to complete with the intent of repairing the harm caused by the incident, and addressing the needs and concerns of those who were affected and harmed. The offender is then given a deadline to complete the contract.
From the victim:
Do I have to participate; I'm not sure I can be in the same room with the offender?
Answer: Your participation is entirely voluntary. However, Restorative Justice is about bringing the offender, victim and community together in dialogue. It will allow you to hear what was going through the offender's mind at the time of the incident. Also, you will be able to ask questions of the offender to get information to help you understand just what happened. One role that is unique to you is that you can help the participants in the Community Group Conference establish the harms you experienced and how they should be repaired.
From the Offender:
Will the victim be a participant in the Community Group Conference?
Answer: Restorative Justice is about bringing the offender, victim and community together in dialogue. The victim will be invited to participate but it is the victim's choice whether they elect to participate.
Isn't it simpler just to go to court?
Answer: It may appear to be simpler to go to court.
However, the Restorative Justice process allows you to repair the harms that you've cause to the community and the victim. Taking responsibility for your actions is a life long attitude that you will benefit from.
What will happen to my record?
Answer: Restorative Justice is a diversion program recognized by the county and state judicial system. Initially, the offender summons will be changed from "Criminal Summons" to "Subject" and upon successful completion of all aspects of the process a form will be entered into the record indicating successful completion of the program.
Peace Circles
What happens in these circles?
Answer: Facilitators welcome participants by explaining the importance of coming together as community members and ground the practice in its indigenous and tribal roots. From there, participants are prompted to answer questions that reveal unique things about themselves. They last from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (the typical school-day length). What comes out of each circle is unique to the individuals who are participating. No circle is ever the same, but they continue to take place today because participants appreciate the authentic exchanges that take place in a safe space.
When do these circles take place?
Answer: It is common for schools to hold these circle events once in the fall (between Oct. and Nov.) and once in the spring semester (between Feb. and May). Schools that typically hold these events are Rocky Mountain High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins High School, Poudre High School in Fort Collins; Mountain View High School and Thompson Valley High School in Loveland. They have also been held at Walt Clark Middle School and Conrad Ball Middle School in Loveland, as well as the University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University.
Can I participate in a Peace Circle even if I do not attend the school?
Answer: Absolutely! Circles are intended to build community not only within the schools themselves, but also within our city-wide communities. If you are interested in attending one of these special events, please contact one of the counselors at any of the high schools mentioned above.
Who can use restorative justice?
Answer: In Fort Collins, Restorative Justice Services are for young people (age 10-20) who commit a crime in Fort Collins. Most RJ cases deal with misdemeanors and first-time offenders. The program does accept felonies and repeat offenders after screening and approval from the referral source.
Victims of crime may also request a restorative justice conference. The request should be made to whatever agency is holding the offender responsible for the crime; courts, district attorney’s office, law enforcement, probation, etc.
How do I make a referral to Restorative Justice?
Answer: For referrals to the Fort Collins Restorative Justice Programs, young offenders or their parents/guardians can ask to participate in a restorative justice program. A private citizen may ask for restorative justice conferencing to be used, however the request must be made to the source responsible for referring the matter (i.e. police officer, district attorney, municipal court, etc.) In addition, victims can also request a restorative justice conference.
What are the requirements of a restorative justice conference?
Answer:
- The offender takes responsibility for his or her actions.
- The offender's (if a youth) parent or guardian agrees to participate.
- The victim or victim representative agrees to participate in the conference.
What is the difference between restorative justice and our traditional legal system?
Answer: Traditionally when a crime is committed, the justice system has been primarily concerned with three questions:
- Who did it?
- What laws were broken?
- What should be done to punish or treat the offender?
This type of approach is considered retributive, where the intent is to get retribution or punishment for an offense committed.
Restorative justice programs emphasize three different questions:
- What is the nature of the harm resulting from the crime?
- What needs to be done to "make it right" or repair the harm?
- Who is responsible for this repair?
This approach is restorative, where the intent is to restore the victim and community affected by the crime as close as possible to pre-crime conditions.
That is the basic philosophical difference. There are many other procedural differences as well.
What if I participate in a restorative justice conference and I don’t like the outcome?
Answer: In a Restorative Justice conference, the outcome or agreement coming out of the conference is one that must be acceptable to everyone present. If you participate in a conference, you will have a say in what goes into the agreement and will be part of building a solution that is agreeable to you as well as everyone else present.
Who is part of a restorative justice conference?
Answer: A Restorative Justice conference is put together by the program staff (director and case manager) and community volunteers who help coordinate and facilitate these conferences. The circle will also include one or more victim/s or victim representatives, the offender or offenders, parents of any offender under 18, support people for the victim, other affected community members (if applicable) and community representatives, who are often trained restorative justice volunteers.
What do people talk about in a restorative justice conference?
Answer: Conference participants focus the first part of the conference on who was affected or harmed by the incident (crime) and how they were affected. Everyone participates in this facilitated conversation. After the circle has identified all the harm caused by the incident, circle participants then discuss how the harm could be repaired. Again, everyone participates in this discussion. The circle then builds a contract for the offender to complete with the intent of repairing the harm caused by the incident, and addressing the needs and concerns of those who were affected and harmed. The offender is then given a deadline to complete the contract.
From the victim:
Do I have to participate; I'm not sure I can be in the same room with the offender?
Answer: Your participation is entirely voluntary. However, Restorative Justice is about bringing the offender, victim and community together in dialogue. It will allow you to hear what was going through the offender's mind at the time of the incident. Also, you will be able to ask questions of the offender to get information to help you understand just what happened. One role that is unique to you is that you can help the participants in the Community Group Conference establish the harms you experienced and how they should be repaired.
From the Offender:
Will the victim be a participant in the Community Group Conference?
Answer: Restorative Justice is about bringing the offender, victim and community together in dialogue. The victim will be invited to participate but it is the victim's choice whether they elect to participate.
Isn't it simpler just to go to court?
Answer: It may appear to be simpler to go to court.
However, the Restorative Justice process allows you to repair the harms that you've cause to the community and the victim. Taking responsibility for your actions is a life long attitude that you will benefit from.
What will happen to my record?
Answer: Restorative Justice is a diversion program recognized by the county and state judicial system. Initially, the offender summons will be changed from "Criminal Summons" to "Subject" and upon successful completion of all aspects of the process a form will be entered into the record indicating successful completion of the program.
Peace Circles
What happens in these circles?
Answer: Facilitators welcome participants by explaining the importance of coming together as community members and ground the practice in its indigenous and tribal roots. From there, participants are prompted to answer questions that reveal unique things about themselves. They last from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (the typical school-day length). What comes out of each circle is unique to the individuals who are participating. No circle is ever the same, but they continue to take place today because participants appreciate the authentic exchanges that take place in a safe space.
When do these circles take place?
Answer: It is common for schools to hold these circle events once in the fall (between Oct. and Nov.) and once in the spring semester (between Feb. and May). Schools that typically hold these events are Rocky Mountain High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins High School, Poudre High School in Fort Collins; Mountain View High School and Thompson Valley High School in Loveland. They have also been held at Walt Clark Middle School and Conrad Ball Middle School in Loveland, as well as the University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University.
Can I participate in a Peace Circle even if I do not attend the school?
Answer: Absolutely! Circles are intended to build community not only within the schools themselves, but also within our city-wide communities. If you are interested in attending one of these special events, please contact one of the counselors at any of the high schools mentioned above.