Adult Services
The Burlington Community Justice Center offers a range of restorative justice programs for adults who are navigating the legal system.
These programs give people a chance to take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and work towards healing. Participants collaborate with staff and community volunteers to reflect on what happened, how people were impacted, and what amends can be made to make things as right as possible.
Restorative Justice: An Alternative to Going to Court Video Series
Available in 15 languages.
Click on the language to view.
English, ASL, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Kirundi, Maay Maay, Mandarin, Nepali,
Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese​
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This project was supported by grant # 03420-09829, Rural Pilots to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disparities State of Vermont Department of Health and the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic.
How It Works
Restorative processes are unique to each person and situation, and generally follow these steps:
Adult Programs
Pretrial
Services
Pretrial Services are available for people who may need mental health or substance use support while they navigate the court process. You can either be referred by the court or refer yourself. Importantly, if you decide not to participate, you won’t face any extra charges or a violation of your release conditions.
Precharge Referrals
​Precharge referrals offer restorative interventions before a situation reaches civil or criminal court. Referrals may come from the community, police departments, or the State’s Attorneys Office. Referrals are usually low-level misdemeanors and first-time offenses.
Court Diversion
Court Diversion is a restorative alternative to the traditional court process for people charged with a crime. Referrals to the program are made by the State’s Attorneys Office. Participation is voluntary, but individuals must admit to the offense and take steps to address the harm caused. When someone completes the program successfully, the charges are dismissed and expunged.
BCJC waxay siisaa tababaro shaqaalaha iyo macalimiinta Restorative Practice (RP) waxayna kaqeyb qaataan kooxahooda fulinta ee RP. Wadashaqeyntii ugu dambeysay waa iskaashiga aan la leenahay Dugsiga Sare ee Burlington aqoonsiga iyo tababbarka hoggaamiyeyaasha ardayda ee iskaa wax u qabso ugu shaqeyn karaya Guddiyada Dhalinyarada ee Cadaaladda ee Dugsiga. Tani waa hab fiican oo lagu kordhiyo codka ardayda, lagu barto xirfadaha dib u soo celinta, iyo in ardayda kale la siiyo fursad labaad. Ardaydu sidoo kale waxay helaan saacado adeeg bulsho wixii tababar ama adeeg kasta ah oo ay ku dhammaystiraan BCJC. Intaa waxaa sii dheer, waxay ku jiraan barkado mutadawiciin ah si ay uga jawaabaan dhacdooyinka ka dhaca xerada sanadka oo dhan. Guddiyadan ayaa la qaban doonaa iskuulka kadib sanadka gudihiis waana bedelida ka joojinta.
Macluumaad intaas ka badan oo ku saabsan Adeegyadayada Dhallinyarada, fadlan la xiriir Kelly Ahrens, Maareeyaha Barnaamijyada Dib-u-hagaajinta Dhallinyarada (802)865-7169 ama kahrens@burlingtonvt.gov