September 8, 2010, 10:07 am
They say that the world is a dangerous place but right here in Downers Grove Township there are high school students who are making the world a better place. In late August thirty-nine high school students in grades 9th through 12th, joined 130 fellow jurors when they were sworn in on August 26 at Downers Grove Village Hall. They have joined a fellowship of young adults who, over the near ten-year history of peer jury, have made quite an impact on the communities within Downers Grove Township.
Downers Grove Township launched its first peer jury site at Downers Grove Village Hall on November 13, 2000. The peer jury started with forty-six trained jurors from four high schools and heard two cases that evening that were referred for Disorderly Conduct. Since the original site, two more sites have been launched over the past ten years and the current roster of sworn jurors is 168 who represent ten different public and private high schools. The peer jury can now hear up to ten new cases each month and 12 to 14 returning cases where offenders talk with jurors about what they have been learning through the peer jury process and, if complete with all consequences, are released from the program.
Continue reading ‘Peer Jury Continues to Grow’ »
April 23, 2010, 9:44 pm
What is the Peer Jury Program?
It is a program built on the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ). It is designed to provide a meaningful and remedial method of dealing with selected juvenile (under age 17) offenders without reference to the Juvenile Court. It does not determine guilt or innocence. A case is only sent to the Peer Jury for hearing by a jury of seven juveniles and an adult moderator when (1) the offender admits having committed the offense; (2) the responsible police officer determines that such a disposition is appropriate; and (3) the offender and his/her parent or guardian consent in writing to such a disposition and sign a Waiver of Liability and Confidentiality.
Peer Jury Schedule 2010
Peer Jury Application 2010
January 25, 2010, 9:07 am
The year 2010 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Downers Grove Township Peer Jury program. Since it’s inception in November of 2000, a total of seventeen peer jury trainings have occurred, with a total of 583 high school students being trained during that time. This February, on the 15th and the 22nd, the Township will be conducting it’s 18th training, swearing in its’ next group of jurors on February 25. For more information about the peer jury program, contact Lori Wrzesinski. Students must be a freshman in high school to be eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 5, 2010.
Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com
August 25, 2009, 8:13 am
Our Peer Jury program is having a swearing in ceremony on August 27th, 2009 from 7 to 9 pm at Downers Grove Village Hall. Our next M.A.SK. (Managing Anger Skills) class begins September 15th, 2009 and the Fall Fest in the Willowbrook Corners Community will be held on Saturday, September 12th, 2009 from 11 am to 2 pm.
They say that the world is a dangerous place but right here in Downers Grove Township there are high school students who are making the world a better place. In late August thirty-nine high school students in grades 9th through 12th, joined 130 fellow jurors when they were sworn in on August 26 at Downers Grove Village Hall. They have joined a fellowship of young adults who, over the near ten-year history of peer jury, have made quite an impact on the communities within Downers Grove Township.
