Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the Citizens' Dispute Settlement (CDS) Program?
- The CDS program addresses complaints that are not necessarily appropriate for the criminal court system.
- The program attempts to resolve disputes between two parties through a process called mediation.
What is mediation?
- Mediation is an attempt to bring about a peaceful settlement between two parties through the intervention of a mediator in an informal hearing.
What does the mediator do?
- Acts as a third party
- Facilitates communication between the participants
- Encourages a resolution to their dispute
How can I file a complaint?
- We require that the complaining party come to our office to open a file.
- The complainant will then speak with a paralegal, who will direct the complainant accordingly.
- In Duval County: City Hall Annex, 11th Floor,
220 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville
- In Clay County: Clay County Courthouse,
825 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Spring
- In Nassau County: Nassau County
Courthouse, 191 Nassau Place, Suite 4, Yulee
Who can file a complaint?
- Anyone who feels they have a minor criminal or civil complaint may bring that complaint to our attention.
What types of cases does the program handle?
Minor criminal complaints such as:
- assault
- battery
- criminal mischief
- petite theft
- trespassing
Minor civil complaint such as:
- harassment
- person to person contractual disputes
Is appearance at the program mandatory?
- No, appearance is voluntary. However, mediation cannot take place unless both parties are present.
- The success of the hearing largely depends upon the participants willingness to be objective and cooperative.
What if one party does not abide by the mediation?
- It is the responsibility of the program director to encourage both parties to comply with the mediation agreement.
What if mediation does not reconcile the differences between the participants?
The parties may need to pursue the matter by:
- Hiring a private attorney
- Going through small claims court