Pronouns: he/him
Contact
jonathan.scharrer@wisc.edu
+16082637905
Room 4318B, Law School
Websites:
Restorative Justice Project
About
Education
J.D., Marquette University School of Law, 2008
Graduate Certificate-Dispute Resolution, Marquette University Graduate School, 2008
B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005
Biography
Jonathan Scharrer is the Director of the Restorative Justice Project at the University of Wisconsin Law School's Frank J. Remington Center. He has extensive experience as a facilitator of victim-offender dialogues in sensitive and violent crimes and as a trainer in a variety of restorative justice (RJ) practices. His work has been featured on both 60 Minutes and CNN's The Redemption Project. Jonathan is also active in examining criminal legal policy and has assisted with drafting proposed RJ legislation and the design and implementation of multiple RJ diversion programs. He served as a member of the Advisory Council for the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice from 2017-2024.
Scholarship
Scholarship & Publications
Law Repository
Research Interests
- Restorative Justice
- Public Policy and Criminal Justice Reform
- RJ in Higher Education
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Activities
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Rethinking Restorative Justice" at the Righting Wrongs Through Restoration; Nebraska Law Review 2025 Symposium on September 26, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Victim-Offender Dialogue: Program and Operation" at the Restorative Justice Course for The National Judicial College on June 5, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Intentional System Design" at the Restorative Justice Course for the National Judicial College on June 4, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Introduction to Restorative Justice" at the Restorative Justice course for The National Judicial College on June 3, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer co-presented the course “Practicing Holistic, Humanistic Law” for TRTCLE on Jan. 14, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Theory Meets Practice: Empirical Evaluations of Restorative Justice" at the Fordham Urban Law Journal's 2025 Symposium - Restorative Pathways: Reimagining Justice Reform for a Better Tomorrow, on February 14, 2025.
- Jonathan Scharrer presented "From Blame and Shame to Transformation: Lessons from Restorative Justice" during the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution 2025 Spring Conference on April 25, 2025.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Restorative Justice & Restorative Practices" to the Opportunity Youth Coalition of Dane County on May 3, 2024.
Jonathan Scharrer presented during a Badger Talks program on "The Philosophy and Practice of Restorative Justice" to the Rotary Club of Madison on March 11, 2024.
Jonathan Scharrer presented “Implementing Restorative Justice as Diversion Workshop” during From Paradigm to Policy: Transforming Accountability and Public Safety with Restorative Justice hosted via Zoom by the Vera Institute of Justice on Jan. 26, 2024.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Brass Tacks: Implementing Restorative Justice as Diversion Policy," during From Paradigm to Policy: Transforming Accountability and Public Safety with Restorative Justice hosted via Zoom by the Vera Institute of Justice on Jan. 25, 2024.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Brass Tacks: Implementing Restorative Justice as Diversion Policy," during a discussion of From Paradigm to Policy: Transforming Accountability and Public Safety With Restorative Justice hosted by the Vera Institute of Justice on Jan. 25, 2024, via Zoom.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Systems Design in the Field" to the The National Judicial College on July 19, 2023. The presentation was on restorative justice and diversion in the criminal legal system.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Bias, Equity and Restorative Justice" during the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section webinar on June 13, 2023.
Jonathan Scharrer presented "Breaking the Cycle with Restorative Justice" during the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership and Development: Reentry Conference Lunch and Learn on June 8, 2023.
Media
News & Media
Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025Jonathan Scharrer Discusses the Impact of Teen Courts in "Creating Positive Change: How Teen Courts Support Youth and Communities"
Wisconsin Counties Magazine - May 2025Tuesday, Nov 2, 2021Jonathan Scharrer reflects on local restorative justice icon's legacy, impact
Wisconsin State JournalTuesday, Dec 17, 2019UW's notable and quotable list for 2019: Jonathan Scharrer discusses restorative justice on 60 Minutes
Sunday, Jun 9, 2019A California father seeks healing through restorative justice; Jonathan Scharrer comments
CNNFriday, May 10, 2019UW Law School's Restorative Justice Project featured on '60 Minutes' and CNN's 'The Redemption Project with Van Jones'
Thursday, Mar 28, 2019Jonathan Scharrer teaches restorative justice methods to Sun Prairie residents
Sun Prairie StarMonday, Feb 25, 2019Four Milwaukee-area public schools are seeing a spike in police presence; Jonathan Scharrer weighs in
Fox 6 MilwaukeeFriday, Dec 14, 2018How does restorative justice work? Jonathan Scharrer discusses putting theory into practice
Wisconsin Public RadioMonday, Dec 10, 2018UW Law faculty and alumni tapped to serve on governor-elect's council on criminal justice reforms
Tuesday, Oct 4, 2016Jonathan Scharrer on Dane County restorative justice program: 'Victims have a voice and a role in the outcomes'
Badger HeraldTuesday, Aug 2, 2016Jonathan Scharrer: Restorative justice elevates voice of victims, makes offenders part of solution
Wisconsin State JournalMonday, May 16, 2016Jonathan Scharrer: Engaging the community in the restorative justice process
WORT-FMMonday, Feb 22, 2016Jonathan Scharrer: Bipartisan bill expands treatment options for substance abusers in the criminal justice system
The Badger HeraldThursday, Sep 3, 2015Jonathan Scharrer discusses county's restorative justice pilot program
The Daily CardinalMonday, Jun 8, 2015Jonathan Scharrer discusses new South Side community court, aimed at keeping youth offenders out of traditional court system
Wisconsin State Journal
Courses
Teaching Areas
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
