Information For Participants In Mediation - Juvenile Justice Mediation Program

Mediation Basics

• It's voluntary. This means the parties agree to mediation.
• Mediation is free.
• It's confidential. Before mediation, you will have to sign a Confidentiality Agreement that says, with few exceptions, anything you say or write for mediation cannot be used in court unless all parties agree. If you and the other parties want to make an exception to the Confidentiality Agreement, you must do so in writing.
• The mediators are neutral. This means they are not personally involved with your case and will not favor one side.

You have rights in mediation

• You can bring evidence to mediation.
• You can bring a lawyer or witnesses if all parties agree and if you notify the Program Coordinator first. We do not encourage you to bring a lawyer or witnesses to the mediation. Lawyers and witnesses must follow the mediator's directions about when and how they can participate.
• You can ask for a written agreement that says what you have agreed to mediation. If all parties agree, you can take this agreement to court and ask the court to enforce it. It is up to the parties to make sure your written agreement complies with the law. The Juvenile Justice Mediation Program cannot help you with this.

Sometimes mediation doesn't work

• If a party has questions about their rights, the mediator can end the session and encourage them to get legal, financial or other professional advice. You can return to mediation later.
• The mediator can end the session if you or the other parties do not follow our rules and directions or if the safety of any of the other parties is in question.