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/ District Court Mediation / Victim / Offender Mediation

Victim / Offender Mediation

Mediation Center of the Southern Piedmont is a nonprofit dispute resolution center serving Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland Counties in North Carolina

MEDIATION
Mediation is a process by which disagreeing parties are helped to find mutually acceptable solutions to their dispute. Trained mediators meet with parties in a private setting. After each has expressed a view of the disagreement, mediators guide participants toward acceptable solutions.

REFERRAL
Cases for mediation may be referred by the magistrate, District Attorney, or law enforcement officer. Court cases resolved in mediation are dismissed. In addition, individuals in a disagreement may choose mediation without referral.

COST
For cases involving criminal charges, a legislated dispute settlement fee of $60.00 must be paid to the Clerk of Court for dismissal of charges. Dismissal through mediation avoids a criminal record and is less than the cost of court.

CONVENIENCE
Mediation appointments are scheduled at times other than the working hours of disagreeing parties; court requires one or more days off work.

ENFORCEMENT
Parties in a mediated case share responsibility for upholding their resolution. The Mediation Center does not enforce the resolution. Should either party fail to do as promised, the case may be reopened for mediation or returned to court.

QUALIFYING CASES

  • Simple Assault/Battery
  • Trespassing
  • Communicating Threats
  • Injury to Personal Property
  • Injury to Real Property
  • Harassing Telephone Calls
  • Worthless Checks
  • Failure to Return Rental Property
  • Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle

Disagreements Involving
Neighbors - Friends - Landlords - Family - Businesses - Roommates