Restorative Justice: An Informal Alternative

Restorative justice is an informal alternative; where the victim and offender talk about the offense together, addressing the problem and deciding what steps are next, with the intent of healing both parties in the process. Unlike criminal trials, the restorative justice model does not have established procedures or outcomes.
Restorative justice offers a less-formal “solution” between the two parties and includes proponents that aren’t practiced in criminal trial. Questions can be asked and answered without formal consequences of law, and the model takes the victims and offenders opinions and desires into account, not just the fact that the law was broken and punishment should therefore follow. Their opinions carry the weight of law, and can
It ignores the possibility of unremorseful offenders and unwilling victims, challenges the criminal justice system operation, undermines the law- that define crimes and send offenders to prison, as well as outline the rights that protect citizens from the government. Crime can ruin lives, destroy relationships, and a mediated conversation can’t heal every wound, or address the problem at large. It reduces the legitimacy of law, which citizens are required to abide by, and believe in. The lack of established process results in discrepancies in outcomes; refuting the idea of equality before the law. Objectivity is essential to due process, and working with the victim eliminates the possibility of legitimate and fair consequences. This includes both extremes, harsh punishment for a minor crime and or no punishment for a harsher crime. The decision rests in the hands of a common citizen, who is usually virtually uneducated of the process of law as compared to appointed justices. Justices are appointed to fairly evaluate the situation and proceed in accordance with the law, and restorative justice can give too much power in the hands of those in the