Peer Court, Inc.
LocationPeer Court, Inc.101 W. North Street Danville, IL 61832 |
Mailing AddressATTENTION: Paul SermersheimPeer Court, Inc. 101 W. North Street Danville, IL 61832 |
Telephone Numbers and Contact informationPhone: (217) 443-9044 AdministrativePhone: (217) 304-8221 Executive Director's mobile phone Web Page: None Listed Email: peercourt01@aol.com | |
Program Details
Operating Agency: Peer Court, Inc. (Private, Nonprofit )
Person In Charge: Director : Paul Sermersheim
Hours: Office hours vary according to scheduling of intake interviews and screenings. After school hours or Saturday hours are available.
Eligibility: Youth age10 and 17 can volunteer to serve as a juror, clerk and teen attorney during court sessions. Free training is provided for these volunteers. First-time juvenile offenders are referred to Peer court by prosecutors at county/municipal courts. Police officers/detectives may also refer offenders.
Fees: Offenders are charged a $10.00 fee for having their case expedited a Peer Court. There is no fee for volunteers serving as juror or teen attorney.
Intake Process: Referral by law enforcement agency required for youth to have his/her case heard at Peer Court.
Service Area: Typically Vermilion County, Illinois and Western Indiana. Juvenile committing offense insider Vermilion County, Illinois. Home address is irrelevant if offense is committed in Vermilion County.
Handicap Accessibility:
Program/Service Notes
Court sessions hosted at Harrison Park Clubhouse (1300 W. Voorhees Street) the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month beginning at 5:45 PM. Youth gain valuable knowledge about the law, law enforcement and justice by serving on the jury. Teens receive training and serve as defense/prosecuting attorneys on real cases with real consequences. Adult volunteers are needed as advocates and can help during jury deliberation or post sentencing interviews. Peer Court has been operating for over 15 years. In recent years it is common for Peer Court to expedite over 100 cases annually. Charges include: retail theft, criminal damage to property,theft, trespassing, battery, disorderly conduct, possession of cannabis, illegal possession/consumption of alcohol, illegal possession of tobacco by minor, curfew and other ordinance violations. Youth are sentences to: community service hours, crime prevention workshop, Character Counts Class, and service on the jury. May sentences include: writing apology letters to victims/police/parents, writing essays relevant to the offense, summarize newspaper articles relevant t the offense, attendance to classes that address drug/alcohol/tobacco abuse. Cumulatively Peer Court youth work 2,000-3,000 hours of community service annually.