The Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office is seeking volunteers for the Juvenile Arbitration Program. The Fourth Circuit Solicitor, William B. Rogers Jr. strongly supports the Arbitration Program that was implemented in the Fourth Circuit in 1999 and would like to see the successful program continue to grow.
Arbitration is an innovative, cost-effective program for dealing with first time non-violent juvenile offenders that permits the community to take an active role in the justice system. The Arbitration Program is a restorative justice program that uses a back to basics approach, recognizing and supporting the community’s need to sanction crime and ensure public safety. The Arbitration Program allows the juvenile to accept responsibility for his/her actions and prevents the minor offenders from majoring in crime. Arbitration promotes court efficiency and helps reduce the workload on Family Courts by removing the less serious cases and allowing the courts to concentrate on serious and violent crimes
As a volunteer, the Arbitrator would conduct a hearing with the juvenile offender and his/her parent, the victim(s) and Law Enforcement. During the hearing, the Arbitrator would determine the facts and negotiate an agreement of sanctions to be met in order for the juvenile offender to complete restoration and clear his/her record. In order to volunteer, an Arbitrator must meet the following requirements: must be 21 years old, have a South Carolina Driver’s License, must have a high school diploma or equivalent, no criminal record, and must complete the certification class. A certification class will be conducted in June and the location will be determined at a later date.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call the Arbitration Director, Loriane Shumate or the Arbitration Coordinator, Barbara McLendon at the Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office at (843) 623-3265. This program cannot be successful without your help, please make a difference in your community.