Title
Phoenix Community Court Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on Phoenix Community Court.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Community Court is a transformative justice initiative committed to creating long-term solutions for people experiencing homelessness that launched in January 2024. The Community Court is a collaborative effort between multiple City departments, including the Municipal Court, City Prosecutor’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and the Office of Homeless Solutions. The City contracts with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) to provide vital case management and supportive services to participants.
Participants work with their case manager to develop a customized service plan to meet their needs. The customized service plan can include obtaining their vital documents, transportation, accessing emergency shelter, addressing mental health or substance use needs, connection to medical appointments, employment assistance, and obtaining housing while attending court and communicating with the Judge and Prosecutor about their steps forward. Upon achieving their customized service plan goals, the participant is considered for a graduation from the Community Court program. If the participant is not engaging in services or not taking steps forward in their customized service plan, the participant returns to regular court proceedings to determine the outcome of their case.
Since inception in 2024, Phoenix Community Court has served 804 participants, of which 214 participants graduated. The program currently has 251 active participants. Other Community Court participants concluded the program through case dismissal, pleading guilty with a reduced sentence, placement in other specialty courts, returned to regular court for non-compliance, or opted out of community court. For additional information, see Attachment A.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Ed Zuercher, Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and David Mathews, and the Law Department Prosecutor’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Office of Homeless Solutions.