Restorative Justice (Court Diversion)

A Second Chance for First-Time Youth Offenders

To view a powerpoint panel training discussion which details the progam, please click here or scroll down to bottom of this page. 

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice is a new way of looking at crime that focuses on repairing the harm to the victim. Through the process, youth offenders are held accountable, develop empathy for the victim, and make amends. Communities support the victims, and hold the offender accountable while encouraging personal growth. This process takes place with the understanding that community ownership of youth development is a cornerstone of a healthy community.

Guiding Principles

The restorative process promotes dialogue between stakeholders through a community panel to discuss consequences of the crime, harm to the victim, and to direct needed action by the offender. The process shifts the role of victim from passive witness to active participant whose voice is heard in restoring justice. The learning experiences are powerful for the offender as they move from passive avoidance to active participant. This includes an accountability process designed to promote behavioral change.

Desired outcomes for youth include development of healthy attitudes, empathy for victims, responsibility for personal actions, respect for self and others, and personal connections to community that promotes a lasting change in behavior.

Who is Eligible?

• Youth between the ages of 13 and 17
• Youth who do not pose a safety risk to themselves or others
• Youth and parents who are willing to make an active commitment to the process

Who Can Refer?

• Law Enforcement
• Courts
• Schools

To Make a Referral

Please call the CADY office at 603-536-9793.

How the Panel Works

The youth offender meets with and is engaged in a community-based restorative panel consisting of the victim (or their representative), community members, families, and program coordinator. The youth understands that the process is designed to promote accountability and healing. They accept responsibility for their crime by agreeing to complete a “Restorative Accountability Plan” including the following three actions: 

1. Restitution to the victim (apology letter and financial payment, if appropriate)
2. Meaningful and supervised community service designed to repair damage to the community
3. Completion of a “Good Citizen” Contract to restore their good standing in the community.

Meaningful Community Service

• Is restorative to the victim and community
• Allows the youth to have a positive interaction with the community
• Builds connections and positive relations with adults
• Teaches new skills and builds core competencies to develop long-term resiliency

How Can I Help?

• Make referrals
• Serve on a Community Panel
• Volunteer to be a Youth Mentor
• Contribute to the Victim Restitution Fund
• Offer Community Service opportunities

Funding for This Program

Funding for these services is provided in part by the NH Department of Health and Human Services Division for Juvenile Justice Services, NH Division of Public Health Services, Bureau of Alcohol and other Drug Prevention and by SAMSHA’S Drug-Free-Community Support Program.

For more information on how you can be involved, please call the Restorative Justice (RJ) Coordinator at the CADY Coalition at: 603-536-9793 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Restoring Balance through Community-Based Restitution