Case Processing

Center, RTI, NACDL, and NLADA staff met to discuss survey and interview response rates and targeted dissemination

Center, RTI, NACDL, and NLADA staff met to discuss survey and interview response rates and targeted dissemination

Center staff hosted an in-person site visit for Karen Friedman, Director of Criminal justice Innovation, Development and Engagement at the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The visit included an overview of the history and evolution of Midtown Community Court, the court's approach to early diversion, and its community programs. The site visit also included a tour of the facility, an opportunity to observe court, and a conversation with Judge John Zhou Wang.

Center staff hosted an in-person site visit for representatives from Bloomberg Associates, Amanda Burden, Principal and Robin Ried. Bloomberg Associates is a philanthropic consulting firm devoted to improving the quality of life for NYC residents and taking a strategic, collaborative and results-oriented approach to make cities stronger, safer, more equitable and efficient. The visit included an overview of the history and evolution of Midtown Community Court, the court's approach to early diversion, and its community programs.

Center staff hosted an in-person site visit for Thomas Moore, Assistant Public Defender, Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. Mr. Moore had the opportunity to learn about the Brownsville Community Justice Center, i particular working with system partners ranging from alternative to incarceration diversion programs to probationers; linking young people to pathways to education and employment; and reimagining public space including the Belmont Revitalization Project.

Center staff hosted in-person site visit for Thomas Moore, Assistant Public Defender, Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. Mr. Moore had the opportunity to hear an overview of the Red Hook Peacemaking Program and observe Hon. Alex Cabrese's courtroom.

Center staff organized and hosted a one-hour virtual site visit to Midtown Community Court forstakeholders from the Reno Municipal Community Court. The goal of the site visit was to learn about the Community First model, a street outreach initiative that focuses on building trusting relationships and meeting community members where they’re at before making linkages to more meaningful and significant services provided by community. Stakeholders also had the opportunity to meet with Honorable John Zhou Wang, the court's judge.

Center staff organized and hosted a structured virtual site visit to Midtown Community Court for representatives from the Albany Works! Community Court from Albany, Georgia. The site visit included an overview of the court's history and operations and presentations about the court's social services, client engagement, and community partners.

Center staff provide on-going technical assistance for Spokane Community Court, which includes regular phone calls (approximately 1-2 times/month), regular email communication, supplying planning guides and other resources, and connecting local stakeholders to subject matter experts. Over the course of the grant, the Center will assist the site to engage a community court steering committee; conduct a community needs assessment; develop policies and procedures; implement a risk-needs tool; launch the project; and collect and review performance data.

Recent research on brain development says that the most effective response to a young person’s behavior comes as close in time as possible to the behavior; however, delays in court processing have been documented for decades. When there is an extended period of time between an offense and a consequence, young people may not be able to connect the consequence to the event. The project is estimated to take 18 months to complete.