The research used information from almost 1,300 offenders and focused on four types of offenders: violent offenders, drunk drivers, juvenile property offenders, and shoplifters. The analysis compared these cases with those handled through regular court procedures. The offenders were randomly assigned to court or to a conference. Most of the cases had at least a 1-year follow-up period; the drunk drivers had a 2-year follow-up period. Results revealed that the diversionary conferences caused a decline of 38 crimes per 100 offenders per year in offending rates by violent offenders. Offending by drunk drivers declined by 6 crimes per 100 offenders per year. However, no difference occurred in repeat offending by juvenile property offenders or shoplifters. The analysis concluded that multiple randomized experiments are advisable for testing a new method of justice and that restorative justice can be effective, but it may not be effective for all types of offenses. Figures and footnotes