JUVENILE JUSTICE PANEL

The Juvenile Justice Panel targets youth whom police have arrested. Primarily designed for minors committing their first criminal offense, the Panel provides prompt intervention and diversion as alternatives to the formal juvenile criminal justice system. Participation in the program involves a commitment from the offender and the offender's parents. Should either decline the offer to participate, the case is formally processed through the juvenile court system. The panel, consisting of community members, a peer representative, and the program coordinator meet weekly to discuss cases.

Volunteers participate in the department's weekly juvenile offender hearings. These volunteers sit on a panel to hear first time juvenile offenders and determine consequences for these juveniles. While most of these volunteers are working adult members of the community, there are also Carlsbad High School student volunteers from the Advanced Communications class who sit on the panel as peers.

Persons interested in volunteering for Juvenile Justice Panel are carefully screened and added to an existing waiting list. Panel members selected serve on the panel approximately four times a year and are required to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding the cases they hear. For further information, please call Juvenile Justice Panel Coordinator Linda Ledesma at (760) 931-2162.