Adult Services
The Burlington Community Justice Center offers a range of restorative justice programs for adults who are navigating the legal system.
These programs give people a chance to take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and work towards healing. Participants collaborate with staff and community volunteers to reflect on what happened, how people were impacted, and what amends can be made to make things as right as possible.
Restorative Justice: An Alternative to Going to Court Video Series
Available in 15 languages.
Click on the language to view.
English, ASL, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Mandarin, Nepali,
Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese​
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This project was supported by grant # 03420-09829, Rural Pilots to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disparities State of Vermont Department of Health and the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic.
How It Works
Restorative processes are unique to each person and situation, and generally follow these steps:
Adult Programs
Pretrial
Services
Pretrial Services are available for people who may need mental health or substance use support while they navigate the court process. You can either be referred by the court or refer yourself. Importantly, if you decide not to participate, you won’t face any extra charges or a violation of your release conditions.
Precharge Referrals
​Precharge referrals offer restorative interventions before a situation reaches civil or criminal court. Referrals may come from the community, police departments, or the State’s Attorneys Office. Referrals are usually low-level misdemeanors and first-time offenses.
Court Diversion
Court Diversion is a restorative alternative to the traditional court process for people charged with a crime. Referrals to the program are made by the State’s Attorneys Office. Participation is voluntary, but individuals must admit to the offense and take steps to address the harm caused. When someone completes the program successfully, the charges are dismissed and expunged.
Le BCJC offre des formations sur la pratique réparatrice (RP) au personnel et au corps professoral et participe à leurs équipes de mise en œuvre de la RP. Une collaboration récente est notre partenariat avec Burlington High School pour identifier et former des leaders étudiants qui peuvent faire du bénévolat dans les panels de jeunes de la justice réparatrice à l'école. C'est un excellent moyen d'augmenter la voix des élèves, d'acquérir des compétences réparatrices et de donner une seconde chance aux autres élèves. Les étudiants reçoivent également des heures de service communautaire pour toute formation ou service qu'ils complètent par le biais du BCJC. De plus, ils sont inclus dans un pool de bénévoles pour répondre aux incidents sur le campus tout au long de l'année. Ces panels auront lieu après l'école au cours de l'année et sont une alternative aux suspensions.
Pour plus d'informations sur nos services pour les jeunes, veuillez contacter Kelly Ahrens, responsable des programmes de restauration des jeunes au (802)865-7169 ou kahrens@burlingtonvt.gov