Trillium Charter School

Judicial Commitee

Click here to download a Judicial Committee Case Request Form.

Judicial Committee (JC) is an intricate part of the Trillium Constitution and our system of school governance.

Article IV- Judicial Committee

Section 1: A Judicial Committee shall be established to deal with conflicts that cannot be solved through mediation. This committee shall have the power to settle disputes and solve conflicts based on the rules and regulations established by the All School Meeting.

Section 2: Each advising group shall have the opportunity to select one student to join the Judicial Committee. Each advising group shall determine how, and if, a member of their advising group is selected to sit on the Judicial Committee. The staff shall determine which staff member sits on the Judicial Committee. There will be no more than 17 Judicial Committee members present at any Judicial Committee hearing, and no less than 5.

Section 3: The Judicial Committee shall have the power to review and strike down decisions made by the All School Meeting, Age Group Meetings, Advising Group Meetings, Class Meetings and Staff if they are deemed unconstitutional. In order to hear such a case, a petition of "unconstitutionality" must be presented by a member of the students or staff to the Judicial Committee. This petition must obtain signatures from 20 All School Meeting voting members. Two thirds of all elected Judicial Committee members must be present for a petition of "unconstitutionality" to be heard and ruled on.

Section 4: The Judicial Committee shall have the power to recommend suspension, expulsion or other disciplinary action regarding serious and consistent violations or the Rights and Responsibilities. This recommendation is made to the Director and must be submitted within 24 hours of the decision.

Click here for the full Trillium Constitution

 

Over the years JC has been used to mediate conflict and make rulings where other solution methods have failed. Over the years decisions and rulings have helped guide the students and staff. Cases were looked to by teachers and students as law which help stabilize the democratic structure of the school. We currently field two cases per week on average.

The 2007-08 Trillium Judicial Committee is comprised of sixteen students and two advisors. There is one student representative for each advising group and one advisor from both Upper and Lower School. The committee meets once a week (currently Thursdays) for about 45 minutes during lunch.

During that time the committee hears cases brought before them by students and staff members of Trillium. When a case is brought before the committee the complainant is asking the JC to solve a conflict or make a ruling on a decision or issue that violates one of the Rights and Responsibilities of the Trillium Constitution or an established school rule created by All-School Meeting.

Types of cases
Judicial Committee Appeals Process
Judicial Committee Trial Process
Judicial Committee Contact

Types of cases

• Student having conflict with student
• Student having conflict with staff
• Staff having conflict with student
• Challenge of an established school rule

Judicial Committee Appeals Process

1. Get appeal form and fill it out completely. Make sure to list dates, the Right and Responsibility violated, and a defendant plea.
2. Submit Appeal Form to JC Representative with an OVRR Infraction Form (if applicable).
3. JC Chairperson sets a hearing date.
4. JC notifies plaintiff and defendant of hearing date at least 24 hours (one day) in advance of hearing.
5. Plaintiff and Defendant can request OVRR Infraction Form or JC Appeal Form from the JC Chair.
6. Plaintiff and Defendant must appear on their hearing date and time with any witnesses they choose to bring to clarify their case.

Judicial Committee Trial Process

1. JC calls meeting to order and establishes a timekeeper, note taker, and moderator.
2. Moderator presents case and documents to the committee.
3. Moderator asks for a plea from the defendant.
4. Plaintiff states their case and introduces their witnesses. (2 minutes)
5. Defendant states their case and introduces their witnesses. (2 minutes)
6. Moderator opens up the floor for JC questions. (5 minutes)
7. Moderator excuses plaintiff, defendant, and witnesses for JC deliberation.
8. JC deliberates on the case, makes a ruling, and imposes consequences in a timely manner.
9. JC Rep informs advisor of the ruling and consequences
10. JC Chair makes sure ruling and any OVRR consequences are sent to the Director.

Contact Billy @ billy@trilliumcharterschool.org for more information.

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