Tompkins County Courts

Here's Where!

Among Community Members

• Friends & Family Members
• Roommates, Landlords & Tenants
• Neighbors
• Co-workers
• Employers & Employees
• Consumers, Merchants & Vendors

In Special Situations

• Lemon Law Cases
• Special Education & Early Intervention Plans
• Mobile Home Cases
  

In Court Cases

CDRC assists people in dealing with underlying issues as well as incidents which lead to court actions. Cases are accepted before, during and after adjudication, with many courts incorporating mediated agreements into their judgments.

Civil Cases

• Small Claims
• Commercial Claims

Criminal Cases

• Violations & Misdemeanors
• Juvenile Offenders
• First-time Offenders
• Victims and Offenders
  

Between Parents

CDRC helps parents develop acceptable ways to meet their responsibilities and their children's needs. Many cases come from FAMILY COURT; others begin after parents, attorneys or agencies call CDRC directly. Cases handled include:

• Custody
• Visitation
  

Between Parents & Teens

CDRC helps families to resolve problems cooperatively. Situations include:

• Chores & Curfews
• Sibling Rivalry
• Communication & Decision-making
• Youth-School Problems
  

With Young People

CDRC teaches youth cooperation and problem-solving:

• Through peer mediation training
• Workshops
• Parent-Teen Mediation
  

For Business, Government & Organizations

CDRC's INTERFACE Program designs services including:

• Collaborative Problem-solving
• Facilitation of Meetings & Retreats
• Mediation

 

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Here's How!

Mediation is a confidential, voluntary decision-making process in which impartial mediators assist people with conflict in making whatever progress they choose. Through mediation people:

• Explore differences
• Clarify areas of agreement and disagreement
• Consider a range of options to resolve their situation
• Define next steps
• Work toward understanding
• Improve communication

 

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Here's Why!

Mediation is effective because it:

• Empowers parties to reach their own solutions
• Is private and confidential
• Encourages communication and cooperation
• Is scheduled at dates and times convenient to those involved
• Is available at no cost to participants or on a sliding scale with no one turned away

 

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