The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office is changing the name of Neighborhood Courts to the Neighborhood Justice Program, which is more aligned with the mission to divert low-level offenses from the criminal justice system.
The program occurs outside of the courts without judges or attorneys.
It is powered by the community to provide a restorative-justice based way of addressing harm within the community.
Since the program began in 2020 ;
- 254 individuals have successfully completed it, diverting their cases from the criminal justice system.
- The number of conferences has increased from once a week in 2020 to three times a week in 2024.
- From 12 offenses eligible to participate, now more than 60 are eligible, with more offenses accepted on a case-by-case basis.
As of December 2022, only 1% of participants have reoffended with a new criminal conviction after successfully completing the program, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The Neighborhood Justice Program is a collaborative effort involving the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Cruz County Probation Department, the Conflict Resolution Center, and community volunteers.
Individuals with low-level offenses can participate if they are willing to accept responsibility and amend the harm caused.
Dedicated community volunteers help ensure that the concerns of the victims and the community itself are heard when addressing those responsible for the harm.
To volunteer, see https://santacruzdistrictattorney.us/Home/NeighborhoodJusticeProgram.aspx
Contact NJP program staff at [email protected]