Residence Halls at University of Minnesota Get New Kind of Justice |TODAY|

Submitted by dan. on 2007-09-24 22:20.
Law Enforcement | Public Education

The goal of the program "is providing students an opportunity to have an educational experience about the behavior associated with having a ticket," she said. The incentive for students to go through restorative justice, Banks said, is to have the fine and charges dismissed from the case.

If students are cited for an alcohol-related offense in the residence halls by the UMPD, their citation includes an insert with information about the restorative justice program, Lt. Troy Buhta said.

A student has three business days after receiving their citation to apply for the restorative justice program and "get the wheels turning," he said....

Students who successfully complete the restorative justice program also have the option to have the charges on their record expunged, said Mark Karon, director of Student Legal Services.

"What students have to be concerned about is the collateral consequences that go along with any kind of criminal charge," Karon said. "If you pay the (fine), it's the same as pleading guilty.

"If you apply for a job or anyone does any kind of background search, they will find that on your record," he said. "Even though it's a minor thing, it could prevent them from getting a job."

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