The formal caution occurs in the context of a family group conference, which is coordinated by a police sergeant at the local police station. The sergeant acts as intermediary in a discussion of the incident between the offender and the victim, both of whom are accompanied by significant supporters. A settlement agreeable to all parties is negotiated. During its first year of operation, the scheme has been effective in achieving restitution in cases that involve material loss or damage. In many cases, however, victims consider it more important to achieve symbolic reparation for the emotional damage caused by an offense. The level of victim satisfaction with the scheme suggests this symbolic reparation has been achieved in most cases. The police who coordinate the cautioning process believe it is not only successful in achieving material restitution and symbolic reparation for victims, but it also encourages young offenders to take responsibility for their own lives. It encourages offenders to develop empathy for their victims, and victims often reciprocate by showing empathy for young offenders. The cautioning process has received strong support from both those directly involved and from interested observers. Legitimate criticisms have been raised by three primary groups: proponents of other "informal" means of dispute resolution, critics of any informalism in criminal justice, and critics of communitarian or republican political theories. 38 references