SJHS Takes Action Against Criminal Acts

Jacob Simmons
SJHS Staff Writer

Springville Junior High School has decided to implement a new program for students who choose to break the rules. From now on students might have to report to Peer Court. There are various offenses that could get a student referred to Peer Court: bullying, swearing, butting in line at lunch, or picking on someone. Students will be put on trial, where a “judge” will decide their punishment, which could range from a week worth of cleaning the lunchroom, to just apologizing and writing a paper to the court.

Peer court is run by the students of the Government and Law class at SJHS. Mr. David Hansen oversees the court as his students defend, prosecute, and decide punishments for the criminals.

“We try to run a real court,” explained Mr. Hansen, “We have judges who make the decisions, and attorneys who give opening statements, and research to argue for their side.”

To sue someone, students can go to the office and pick up a referral form, which they may fill out and give back to Mr. Hansen for their chance to have their day in court. Once Mr. Hansen receives the referral form, he will decide whether it is valid or not, and then he will try and find a spot on the calendar for a trial to take place. Once your referral form is approved, a case will be passed on to a lawyer from the class, who will begin to research the situation, interview witnesses, and find people to who they can use to testify.

In the court, students go through the whole process of a real court, including an opening statement, a closing statement, settlements, punishments, etc. It allows students in the class to learn about government and law. Peer court has been very helpful to keeping the peace at SJHS.