The City of Santa Clarita will host the kick-off for its Community Court diversion program on Wednesday, September 30 at 5 p.m. The event, held at the City Hall’s first floor Council Chambers, is the first day the court will be in session after its summer hiatus.
The Santa Clarita Community Court is a community-based diversion program that provides an alternative to the juvenile justice system for first-time, non-violent, juvenile offenders. The program is a partnership between the City, Sheriff’s Department, and William S. Hart Union High School District.
“The City’s Community Court program is an important and proactive tool to help keep first-time, non-violent juvenile offenders out of trouble and out of the system,” said Mayor Frank Ferry. “If a young offender completes the Community Court diversion program, their offense does not go on their record, giving them a second chance at a fresh start.”
To date, the Community Court Program has seen more than 550 criminal and traffic juvenile cases with 100 percent of participants successfully completing the program. Juvenile offenders who commit non-violent petty crimes, such as shoplifting, speeding, and vandalism, are sentenced by a judge to make restitution through community service, diversion classes, and if necessary, financial penalties.
The City’s started its Community Court program in 2006 to ensure that youth offenders performed community service and paid restitution here in Santa Clarita where their crime was committed, and to help first-time offenders learn from their mistakes.
For more information on the City’s Community Court diversion program, contact Bob Siecke, Community Court Coordinator, at (805) 341-1660.
