Restorative justice is working for juveniles in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and should be expanded

Restorative justice programs- Fairfax criminal lawyer wants their expansion

Restorative justice (RJ) is an alternative dispute resolution approach that enables criminal cases to be resolved without convictions (and sometimes without even having formal court charges). As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that with RJ the alleged victim and accused (the accused needs the presence of his or her lawyer) meet with a facilitator, the alleged victim gets a chance to tell the accused how the accused’s alleged behavior has affected the alleged victim, the facilitator sees if the parties can come to an out-of-court settlement (for instance with payment of restitution, an agreement for the accused to do community service or to directly fix the alleged damage done (for instance to repaint a wall that the accused has allegedly egged), and / or for the accused to participate in such self-improvement programs as alcohol or substance abuse classes, anger management classes, or psychological or personal counseling.

Thankfully, such Virginia counties as Fairfax and Loudoun have at least one restorative justice program, but only for juveniles, called the Alternative Accountability Program (AAP). Fairfax County’s AAP RJ program is applicable for such alleged juvenile offenses as theft, property damage, disorderly conduct, arson, unlawful possession of alcohol, trespassing, and harassment. The Fairfax County AAP program enables entirely avoiding any court action.

Restorative Justice can help address disparate racial impact on accused parties in the criminal justice system

Wonderfully, one of the Fairfax County AAP’s principles is to address “disproportionate minority youth representation in the criminal justice system and disciplinary proceedings.” The AAP also uses the “principles of restorative justice to focus on: Reduce juvenile recidivism of harmful criminal and behavioral acts; Hold youth accountable for their actions without exposing them to the risks of a criminal record; [and] Provide victims an opportunity to be actively involved in resolution of their case.”

Restorative justice should be expanded to cover adults as well

Among the most beneficial restorative justice proponents for the criminally accused is attorney and mindfulness practitioner Sujatha Baliga. Sujatha has publicly told her story of being a survivor of sexual abuse by her father and coming to terms with him on that.

Restorative justice is hardly a fad when we see even the rather straight-laced Fairfax County police involved in the AAP program. With the upcoming January 2020 replacement of the decades-long Robert Horan/Raymond Morrogh prosecutor era in Fairfax County, most likely by claimed reformer Steve Descano, this is an opportunity to expand the restorative justice option to adults in Fairfax County and beyond.

Safeguards are needed for the criminally accused in the Restorative Justice setting

Restorative justice approaches might sometimes require the accused to take responsibility for his or her allegedly criminal actions and to provide his or her viewpoint on the matter. Criminal suspects and defendants are entitled to the right to remain silent, and should not voice responsibility for their alleged actions nor discuss their alleged crimes without protections for that not to be used against them in court, nor for police to investigate other possible crimes by them with the use of such information. For that reason alone, it is critical that the accused have the right to the assistance and presence of his or her attorney at all stages of the proceedings.

Fairfax criminal lawyer Jonathan L. Katz pursues your best defense against felony, misdemeanor and DWI. To discuss your pending criminal court case with Jon Katz via a free consultation, please call his staff at 703-383-1100.