Benny Westcott
Like many activities halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sweet Home Peer Court is returning after a long layoff.
The typically monthly court will be back in session starting April 12 for the first time since December 2019, with a subsequent court date in May and potentially a third in June.
In the Sweet Home Peer Court, juveniles are diverted from prosecution through the Linn County Juvenile Department and Sweet Home Police Department. Its successful completion results in offenders not having a juvenile police record.
The court’s purpose is not to determine guilt or innocence, as the referred juvenile or a parent or guardian signs a basic “Jurisdictional Agreement” admitting guilt before appearing. Instead, it hopes to “recommend an appropriate, fair, effective dispositional contract designed to be responsive to offender, victim and community needs.”
In addition to further requirements imposed by the jury, the Sweet Home Police Department requires that a youth appearing before the court receive minimum sanctions of having to participate as a juror on at least one case and completing at least three hours of community service.
Four Sweet Home High School students serving as jurors prepared for the first real April 12 session with a March 16 mock court, which tried junior high student Jim Morgan for the made-up offense of failing to complete and turn in his homework after playing video games for 16 hours a day.
Sweet Home High School junior Hailee Pedraza made her first Peer Court appearance. where she “hopes to gain a better understanding of the law,” although she was already somewhat familiar with the subject through her criminology classes. It interested her, she said, because her family has “a giant criminal history.” In addition, she said, her mom worked alongside lawyers in her 20s.
Senior Autumn Ice started as a juror her freshman year. She took an interest in Peer Court after she ran away from home and had to appear before it as an offender. She ultimately received a $10 fine and was made to be a juror on a subsequent case, after which she decided to stick with the program.
Ice said she’s always loved law and wants to become a criminal psychologist.
“I’ve learned a lot doing this,” she said, “including how to interact with offenders. I know that if I see someone I know, I have to put my feelings aside. I can’t give you less sanctions because you are my friend.”
She tries to maintain neutrality. “When two friends are fighting, I call myself Switzerland,” she said.
After graduation, Ice intends to enlist in the National Guard, she said.
The monthly sessions take place in the Sweet Home Police Department Training Room; however, due to confidentiality, they are not open to the public. Jurors swear to maintain confidentiality outside the court.
Community Services Officer Sean Morgan, who helps run the program, said, “The kids can impose a variety of sentences, such as writing an essay, writing an apology letter, or paying Thriftway for the candy bar you stole.”
Six students are expected to sit as jurors at the first session.
To learn more about the Peer Court program, visit www. sweethomeor.gov/police/webform/peer-court.