Community Courts and Family Law

• NCJ Number: 188899
• Journal: Journal of the Center for Families, Children and the Courts Volume: 2 Dated: 2000 Pages: 37-59
• Author(s): Deborah J. Chase; Sue Alexander; Barbara J. Miller
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes modern community courts and provides some historical background; it also presents an example of a prototypical criminal justice community court, the Midtown Manhattan Community Court.

Abstract

Most of the community court projects to date have been implemented in the area of criminal justice. There are many models of such community courts, but some features are common to all. A defining characteristic is the partnership between the criminal justice system and social services within the community. This article examines how goals and techniques adopted in the criminal justice arena are applicable to a civil court, particularly in the area of family law. The authors examine some of the societal forces that influence the development of community courts. Attention is given to the Midtown Manhattan Community Court. Established in 1993, the Midtown Manhattan Community Court has a self-contained courthouse, and in addition to a courtroom, it has a social services center, a community service program, and an innovative technology system. While in custody and prior to arraignment, each defendant is interviewed by the court's pretrial agency. Defendants are asked about substance abuse, general health, housing, employment, and other potential problems, as well as whether they need help with any of these issues. Information from the interview is downloaded from laptop computers to the court's main network. As an arraignment court, if the defendant, with assistance of counsel, pleads not guilty, the case is sent to the downtown criminal court. If the defendant pleads guilty, the sentence is determined immediately. The defendant is usually sentenced to perform community service or to obtain treatment for substance abuse or other problems. The defendant is assigned to and meets with a counselor, who schedules community service, arranges appointments for social service, and informs the defendant of other available services. Other community court models are also described in this article. 139 notes