I know Volusia County has been reviewing this issue to help with their Compliance/ Collections.
Is there anyone else currently using a homeless court or thinking about this?
Russ
Salt Lake City homeless court serves up pragmatic justice
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home3/54506880-200/homeless-baxter-court-stills.html.csp
Homeless Court Program
In 1989, San Diego started the first Homeless
Court Program in the nation, a special Superior Court session held at local
shelters for homeless defendants to resolve outstanding misdemeanor criminal
cases. The Homeless Court was created in response to a survey where one in five
homeless veterans requested help with the criminal justice system. To counteract
the effect of criminal cases pushing homeless defendants further outside
society, this Court combines a progressive plea bargain system, alternative
sentencing structure, assurance of “no custody” and proof of program activities,
to address a full range of misdemeanor offenses and bring them back into
society. Alternative sentencing substitutes participation in agency programs for
fines and custody. These activities include: life-skills, chemical dependency or
AA/NA meetings, computer or English literacy classes, training or search for
employment, counseling or volunteer work. The court agreement of “no custody”
acknowledges the participant’s efforts in their program activities to satisfy
Court requirements. Local homeless shelters and agencies are the gateway for
participants to enter this Court. Homeless persons who want to appear before
this Court must sign up through one of a number of local shelters. Prospective
participants work with a shelter caseworker to design a plan to move towards
self-sufficiency. The shelter representatives write advocacy letters for each
client. The advocacy letter is symbolic of the relationship between the client
and the agency while including a description of the program, the client’s start
date, and accomplishments, programs completed and insight into the client’s
efforts.
People experiencing homelessness
often receive citations for public nuisance offenses and then fail to appear in
court. Homeless defendants fail to appear in traditional courts, not because of
a disregard for the court system, but due to their status and condition. For
many homeless people, their day is consumed with a search for food, clothing and
shelter. Most homeless persons are not in a position to fight the procedural or
substantive issues a case presents. People experiencing homelessness are aware
that the court also requires a decent appearance. Not wanting to make a bad
first impression, a homeless person with poor hygiene or without a place to
store belongings may choose not to appear in court at all. Many homeless people
are reluctant to attend court given the uncertainty of court proceedings and the
threat of custody. Unresolved legal issues can ultimately preclude homeless
people from accessing desperately needed services such as employment, housing,
public assistance and treatment programs.
The ABA Commission on Homelessness and
Poverty and Homeless Courts:
The ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty has been instrumental in establishing homeless courts across the country. The Commission has developed a number of educational resources and routinely provides technical assistance. The has also approved policies related to homeless courts, including basic principles for homeless court programs.
Homeless Courts are presently operating in the following jurisdictions:
Homeless Courts are presently operating in the following jurisdictions:
Many other jurisdictions are examining the
possibility of creating similar programs, and the is pleased to offer technical
support. For more information, please contact Amy Horton-Newell at the ABA
Washington Office at 202/662-1693 or via e-mail at homeless@americanbar
The ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty has been instrumental in establishing homeless courts across the country. The Commission has developed a number of educational resources and routinely provides technical assistance. The has also approved policies related to homeless courts, including basic principles for homeless court programs.
Homeless Courts are presently operating in the following jurisdictions:
Homeless Courts are presently operating in the following jurisdictions:
Alameda County,
CA
|
Phoenix,
AZ
|
Ann Arbor, MI
|
Pima County/Tucson,
AZ
|
Bakersfield,
CA
|
Sacramento,
CA
|
Bernalillo County, Albuquerque,
NM
|
Salt Lake City,
UT
|
Contra Costa,
CA
|
San Bernardino,
CA
|
Denver,
CO
|
San Diego,
CA
|
Fresno County,
CA
|
San Joaquin,
CA
|
Houston, TX
|
Santa Clara,
CA
|
Humboldt,
CA
|
Santa Maria,
CA
|
Kern County,
CA
|
Sonoma County,
CA
|
Los Angeles,
CA
|
Vancouver,
WA
|
Maricopa County,
AZ
|
Ventura County,
CA
|
Orange County,
CA
|