Question

In each of the following scenarios, assume that you are a prosecutor or judge and wish to refer a case tone of the four available restorative justice options. Which restorative justice option is best suited to each case, and why?

Anthony and Bernardo, both age 11 are two boys from the neighborhood. They play nearly every day after school at one of the two boy’s homes. They can usually find something to do like catching frogs or fishing, or they find other neighborhood kids to start a flag football game. The two boys, Anthony and Bernardo, both aged 11, are from the neighborhood. They play nearly every day after school at one of the two boy’s homes.

They can usually find something to do like catching frogs or fishing, or they find other neighborhood kids to start a flag football game. The two boys are bored one day and start snooping around Bernardo’s father’s workshop. They come across some flammable liquids and matches, which they take out behind the workshop to look at closer, near the next door neighbor’s fence. Somehow the starter fluid accidentally spills out, and a fire starts on the dried grass. The boys run back to the workshop to find something to put out the fire, but within minutes the fire spreads to the wooden fence and is licking at the house next door. A neighbor across the street sees smoke and calls the fire department. A corner of the neighbor’s siding starts to burn before a fire truck arrives to put out the fire, resulting in about $600 in damages on the house. The neighbor is willing to forgo pressing criminal charges for now, until some restorative justice options can be discussed.