Why is it called Restorative Justice? Who Is being restored?
Restorative Justice focuses on harm to victims and community. By working collaboratively with victims, offenders and community members to repair the harm, Restorative Justice aims to restore relationships that have been broken by the offense. Restorative Justice recognizes that it is not always possible to replace what a victim lost in the commission of the offense—the goal is to settle the matter as much as possible. In the process, it aims to restore the offender to a law-abiding life, and restore the damage caused by the offense to the community.

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1. What is Restorative Justice?
2. What is the difference between Restorative Justice and our traditional legal system?
3. Why is it called Restorative Justice? Who Is being restored?
4. How widespread is Restorative Justice?
5. How effective are Restorative Justice processes?
6. Can Restorative Justice be used in serious cases?
7. Is Restorative Justice "soft on crime"?
8. Isn't it simpler just to go to court?
9. What if the victim does not want to participate in a Restorative Justice process?
10. Is Restorative Justice appropriate for "victimless" crimes?
11. How is "community" defined for the purposes of Restorative Justice?
12. Do lawyers participate?
13. What are some CJC Restorative Justice programs?
14. Do victims have to participate?
15. What is expected of victims?
16. What kinds of things are appropriate to ask for to “repair harm”?