STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR
WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
MEDIATION DIVISION
Katharine V. Cropper,
Director
410-632-2761--Office
410-632-3250 -- Fax
410-632-3250 -- Fax
Mediation gives people involved in
a dispute the opportunity to get together with a trained neutral
individual to seek lasting solutions to their problem in a
collaborative process. The Mediation Division for the Office of
the State's Attorney provides the citizens of Worcester County with an
alternative means of resolving:
- minor types of criminal charges such as trespass, telephone abuse, malicious destruction of property, assault, and the like, before trial;
- disputes in which present or former spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, siblings, parents or extended family members are caught up in family turmoil, and;
- incidents arising out of a multitude of neighbor vs. neighbor disagreements or community disputes prior to criminal charges being filed.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process in which a trained neutral person, a "mediator",
helps people in a dispute to communicate with one another, to
understand each other, and if possible, to reach agreements that
satisfy everyone's needs. It is an alternative to having a case
heard at trial by a judge who makes a decision about who wins and who
loses.
What Happens
in a Mediation Session?- Mediation can help you to reach agreements, build relationships, and find solutions that work.
- Mediators create a safe space so you can discuss your needs and listen to the needs of the other party.
- In mediation you speak for yourself and make your own decisions.
- Mediators will not provide any legal advice, or recommend the terms of an agreement.
- Try mediation if you value your privacy or if you want to take an active role in resolving a dispute.
- Mediation can help protect your privacy. Unlike
courtroom proceedings, which are open to the public, mediation is
conducted behind closed doors, and only the signed agreement becomes a
public document.
At a reserved time, the mediator listens to all the
parties tell their side of what happened, in an effort to understand
how the dispute came about and to learn how each party would like to
see the problem resolved. The process encourages communication
between the parties within boundaries faciliated by the mediator.
Referrals may be made to agencies in the county to assist the parties in building skills that may be lacking (budgeting, parenting, etc.,) or to experts in the field of individual or family counseling.
Referrals may be made to agencies in the county to assist the parties in building skills that may be lacking (budgeting, parenting, etc.,) or to experts in the field of individual or family counseling.
Then What?
When the parties reach an agreement, it is put into a brief written
form by the mediator. The parties sign the agreement and receive
a copy. In those matters involving a criminal charge, the
mediator makes a recommendation about its disposition to the prosecutor
assigned to handle the case. Recommendations are subject to
review by the State's Attorney's Office which retains final discretion.
Why Should I Mediate?
If
your case is referred to mediation, or if someone suggests that you try
mediation instead of going to court, it may be because:
- Mediation may save you time and money
- Mediation is less formal and a less stressful way to reach a solution
- Mediation provides an opportunity for you to say what's important to you and hear the other person's perspectives.
- Mediation may help you to figure out how to get your needs and the other person's needs met.
- You are in control and you know what your needs are better than any judge or jury.
- Many business disputes, family conflicts, neighborhood disputes, and one-on-one issues are most effectively resolved in mediation.
- Mediation can result in creative alternatives and compromises that are satisfactory to both sides.
The Mediator does not decide who is right or wrong;
She merely assists the parties in coming to an acceptable solution.