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Peer Court
101 W. North St. Danville, IL 61832
A United Way Agency
Want to Participate in Peer Court?
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Mission of Peer Court
The mission of Peer Court, Inc. is the provision of an alternative service
delivery system for juvenile offender's that couples early identification
of delinquent behavior with an immediate correctional and educational
response and intervention.
History of Peer Court
Peer Court, Inc. was developed in 1993 by a group of seven attorneys who
wanted to enhance the options available to law enforcement agencies for
dealing with juvenile offenders. Their plan was to develop a teen jury
system that would bring together juvenile offenders, their peers, and
community agencies to determine logical and natural consequences for the
offenses. They studied a model program in Texas, gained support of the local
judiciary and law enforcement officials, secured local start-up funding and
in September of 1993, the first Peer Court session was held at the Vermilion
County Courthouse. At that time, Peer Court was one of only three teen
courts in the State of Illinois. Now, thousands of youth courts are
benefiting communities nationwide.
Objectives of the Peer Court program:
To bring immediacy of consequences to the offenses committed by juveniles;
To modify the behavior of first-time perpetrators of select misdemeanor
offenses;
To heighten the impact of sentencing by having the juvenile offender face
a jury of his or her peers;
To reduce the recidivism rate of perpetrators of said misdemeanor
offenses;
To promote a better understanding of the judicial process among children
ages 10 17; and
To reduce the flow of certain misdemeanors through the juvenile court
system, thereby allowing the courts to direct time and financial resources
toward more serious crimes.
First-time Juvenile offenders receive comprehensive sentences at Peer Court
that help them become productive, responsible citizens. Without this
not-for-profit organization, these juvenile offenders might otherwise lead a
life of contact with the judicial system burdening themselves and society.
How do you put a price on keeping people out of jail?
For more information, please contact Peer Court
Associate Paul Sermersheim
at 217-431-2273
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Peer Court
Paul Sermersheim, Peer Court Associate
