Emma, who was introduced in Week 1, has just been carjacked by Dante and Jordan.

Within a few minutes, a man walking home from work sees Emma bleeding in the parking lot and calls 911. Emma is transported to the nearest hospital, where her injuries are treated. After being released from the hospital, Emma has chronic headaches and finds it difficult to concentrate. She is also in debt due to medical bills and car repairs. While Emma is angry about the crime, she also realizes how easy it is for young people to become involved in criminal activity.

Dante is arrested and charged with second-degree assault and armed carjacking. His case is pending in juvenile court. Jordan is arrested, charged with possession of a firearm with the intent to injure, aggravated assault, and armed carjacking. He has two prior convictions, one for possession of opioids with intent to distribute when he was 15 and one for breaking and entering when he was 17. Jordan dropped out of school at 16, has never been employed, and is currently addicted to opioids. In court, he pleads guilty to the crimes and expresses a strong desire to change. The judge sentences him to 3 years of probation with the option to suspend the sentence if he participates in a restorative justice program.

Do you agree with the judge that the restorative justice approach is appropriate for this case? If so, what are Jordan’s and Emma’s roles in the process? How might Jordan demonstrate accountability to Emma for the crimes? This week, you consider these questions and others as you focus on one tenet of restorative justice: accountability to the victim.