CAROLINA DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SERVICES
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Your Resource For Alternative Dispute Resolution

Criminal District Court
​Mediation Program

Building a Win-Win District Court Mediation

​Carolina Dispute Settlement Services' primary court mediation service is the Criminal District Court Program. Utilizing both staff and volunteers, CDSS provides mediation services in District Criminal Court in both the Tenth Judicial District (Wake County) and the Ninth Judicial District (Warren, Vance, Granville and Franklin Counties). Our work gives people the opportunity to understand and resolve their problems while preserving the valuable resources of the judicial system.
The majority of cases assigned to this session involve charges that were filed with a magistrate directly by the complainant, as opposed to charges resulting from an arrest. As such, this session Criminal District Court is often referred to as ​"People's Court." Typical cases in People's Court include simple assault, cyberstalking, affray, communicating threats, harassment, violation of compulsory school attendance laws and other cases arising from interpersonal disputes that are generally considered appropriate for mediation. 

CDSS mediators work with the parties toward reaching an agreement whereby the case may be dismissed without further court action.  ​If you are a party to an action in "People's Court," you will be assigned a mediator on your court date: there is no need to contact CDSS directly.

Becoming a CDSS District Court Mediator

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The benefits of volunteering with CDSS include continuing education and training opportunities, skill building, networking, and practical mediation experience. 

​It is CDSS policy that all applicants who want to volunteer with the program must possess a four-year degree and have completed, at minimum, an approved 40-hour mediation training course or equivalent training. More detailed information about mediator certification can be found at the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission website. 

Additionally, each volunteer must undergo a background check, sign ethics and confidentiality agreements and participate in a short volunteer orientation, including a review of CDSS policies and procedures, courtroom protocol and service requirements. After gaining practical experience and being evaluated by co-mediator mentors, those volunteers who have acquired the requisite mediation skills may be invited to mediate for CDSS on an individual basis, or to co-mediate with newer volunteer interns, and clinical students in need of training. 

We believe it is important to constantly improve our skills and programs. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all CDSS volunteers to debrief their sessions with their co-mediators or other CDSS staff members. Both new mediators and seasoned mediators benefit from this shared experience. 

Our District Court services program is enriched by an exceptional group of volunteer mediators.

As CDSS is a Certified Center under G.S. 7A-38.3D, all our volunteers must become certified to mediate
in Criminal District Court. 


Please contact our office for more information about applying for our District Court Volunteer Mediation Program.​
District Court Mediators represent diverse backgrounds and professions, providing unique experiences and insights. Past and present volunteers have included professional mediators, attorneys, counselors, clergy, law students, retirees, and others. 
Meet Our Mediators

Resources

Wake County District Attorney
Wake County Criminal Calendars
9th Judicial District information
District Court Mediation statute
Dispute Resolution Fee Statute

Hours:  Monday-Friday  9am - 5pm
​

4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 350
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612

Using GoRaleigh ? 
Take Bus Route 6- Crabtree. 
The Crabtree Mall stop is the closest to our offices. ​​
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Our offices have convenient parking and are fully accessible.
(919)755-4646
Email

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​We are closed on federal holidays and when the North Carolina court system is closed. 

​For up-to-date  information about our office hours, including inclement weather closings, please follow us on Facebook.

Photo used under Creative Commons from amtec_photos
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Mediation
    • Divorce & Child Custody Services
    • Arbitration
    • Training >
      • 40 Hour Superior Court
      • 16 Hour Superior Court
      • 40 Hour Family Financial
      • 16 Hour Family Financial
      • 6 Hour Legal Terminology
      • 4 Hour District Court Orientation
      • 14-Hour Collaborative Law Training
      • Employment Mediation Training
    • File-It -Yourself Clinic
    • District Court Mediation Program >
      • District Court Mediators
    • Medicaid Mediation
    • IACT Program
    • Collaborative Law Institute
  • Meet the Team
    • Diann Seigle, Executive Director
    • Kimberly Rose, Office and Case Manager
    • Our Mediators >
      • Hon. Bill Webb
      • Jeff Seigle, J.D.
      • Christie Foppiano, J.D.
      • Barbara Phillips-Bute, J.D., Ph.D.
    • Our Arbitrators
    • Our Training Team
  • News
  • Careers & Internships
    • Careers
    • Internships
  • Contact Us