Question

After 15-year-old Justin's parents got divorced, he began getting into fights at school and staying out past curfew. His behavior escalated, and after Justin got caught selling cocaine, the police arrested him. Justin was charged with multiple drug offenses. A judge sent his case to the new Restorative Justice Community Court that had been created by his county for non-violent offenders.

Which of the following is a goal of restorative justice, which the judge might have felt was valuable in Justin's case?

• It removes the offender from the community.

• It believes that punishment can effectively change behavior.

• It asks the offender to take responsibility for his/her actions and their consequences.

• Although victim satisfaction suffers, it is cheaper than the traditional court system.

Answer 1

Incapacitation, and not restorative justice, involves the removal of the offender from the community.

Option a) is incorrect.

Retributive justice, and not restorative justice, believes that punishment can effectively change behavior.

Option b) is incorrect.

Victoms who participate in restorative justice processes report greater satisfaction than those participating in the traditional court system.

Option d) is incorrect.

The goal of restorative justice is to ask the offender to take responsibility for his/her actions and their consequences.

Option c) is the correct answer.