Title
2020 Homeless Court Update
Description
This report provides updated information to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on Homeless Court.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
Many homeless persons have unresolved court obligations that interfere with full-time employment and housing. Homeless persons often fail to address these obligations for various reasons directly related to their homeless status. This leaves the courts with maintaining unresolved court files and warrants along with revolving jail costs.
The Phoenix, Tempe and Glendale Municipal Courts jointly established the Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court (MCRHC) in 2006. Since then, the MCRHC has expanded to all forty-eight limited jurisdiction courts within Maricopa County. With the expansion of MCRHC, the County provided funding for a full-time coordinator who assumed the staffing duties previously provided by Phoenix Municipal Court. The County also built a new, permanent court facility at the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) campus where the MCRHC has been held since its inception. Phoenix Municipal Court Judge James Hernandez currently serves as the Phoenix Judge on the MCRHC governing council.
The MCRHC combines accountability with treatment and services with community partners in supervised programs. Forty-five providers with over sixty programs currently assist people recovering from homelessness. The restored individuals typically perform more public service hours than similarly convicted defendants sentenced in the normal court process.
In 2019, 217 defendants completed 85,294 community service hours to resolve outstanding court obligations in 466 cases. This led to the forgiveness of over $381,000 in delinquent financial obligations.
In 2018, 150 defendants completed 64,522 community service hours to resolve outstanding court obligations in 374 cases. This led to the forgiveness of over $296,000 in delinquent financial obligations.
In 2017, 186 defendants completed 101,030 community service hours to resolve outstanding court obligations in 439 cases. This led to the forgiveness of over $311,000 in delinquent financial obligations.
During the pandemic, the MCRHC continues to operate. However, with the need to abide by appropriate social distancing restrictions the MCRHC is currently operating remotely.
Additional information can be found on the MCRHC website: superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/mcrhc/
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Municipal Court.