COMMUNITY COURTS
WHO WE SERVE
Community Courts are innovative, problem-solving courts that focus on low-level offenses by addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior. These courts emphasize accountability, rehabilitation, and community engagement, offering participants access to services such as substance use treatment, mental health support, housing assistance, and employment resources. By fostering collaboration between the justice system and local service providers, Community Courts aim to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and strengthen neighborhoods. The goal is to promote long-term change through restorative justice and meaningful connections to community support.
RESOURCES
What is a Community Court: How the Model is Being Adapted Across the United States
Principles of Problem-Solving Justice (Center for Court Innovation).
Community Justice Today: Values, Guiding Principles, and Models Discusses the Guiding Principles of Community Justice: 1) Co-Create Justice 2) Advance Equity 3) Put People First 4) Prioritize Community-Based Solutions 5) Promote Accountability 6) Model Innovation
Evidence-Based Strategies for Working with Offenders
Risk-Need-Responsivity: Response Recommendations for Community Courts
Building the Research Base: An Evaluation Blueprint for Community Courts. Outlines strategies and performance measures related to 7 key principles 1) Individualized Justice 2) Community Engagement 3) Alternative Outcomes 4) Client Accountability 5) System Accountability 6) Enhanced Information 7) Collaboration.
Lessons from Community Courts: Strategies on Criminal Justice Reform from a Defense Attorney.
Defining the Problem: Using Data to Plan a Community Justice Project.
How Community Advisory Boards Can Assist the Work of the Justice System.
Widening the Circle – Can Peacemaking Work in Non-Tribal Communities?
A Tale of Three Cities: Drugs, Courts and Community Justice.
Renewing Justice: When the Library Becomes a Community Court (podcast)
Community Courts Initiative – links to various publications (Bureau of Justice Assistance)
Family Treatment Court Program (OJJDP)
