Peacemaking is available on direct request by the parties to any dispute or on referral by the adversarial court. The Hudson County Family Court handles about 6,000 juvenile complaints annually. Cases involving serious, habitual juvenile offenders are prevalent. Judges as a result can concentrate their efforts on serious offenders, valuable court resources are conserved, and sentencing policy in minor cases expresses community sentiments and standards. JCCs hear cases that do not warrant a court hearing, but are worthy of an expression of social and judicial disapproval.
Diversion is by the court's intake workers.
During hearings held in facilities dispersed throughout the county, local JCCs meet with juveniles, their family members, and interested parties to determine the circumstances surrounding the complaint. Committee members subsequently recommend a disposition to a Family Court Judge for approval. The authority of JCC hearings and their decisions are sanctioned under Rules Governing the Court of the State of New Jersey and the Juvenile Justice Code. Committees are staffed by six to nine volunteers. Members have a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, including college students, business owners, and clergy.