There's a new approach to the way court proceedings take place -- it's called the community court docket.
The idea is to provide a less intimidating place for those who have been cited for minor infractions and also reduce recidivism.
The court is for people who have been cited with quality of life crimes, which means trespassing, open container, sleeping on sidewalks and camping citations.
The court isn't directed at any population, but at a certain type of conduct.
“It’s not efficient for instance to continuously jail somebody for low level criminal behavior, because when they come out of jail, it's back to square one,” says Tammy Riggs, Judge at Municipal Court.
Those cited appear to court at the library and complete an assessment. The assessment is to pinpoint what they need help with.
22 providers are there ready to provide them with services. That could be finding housing, getting an ID and medical services.
They go to court and negotiate a sentence that could involve signing up with programs they offer and community service. No fines or jail time are involved.
The hope is to address individual problems and modify the behavior that put them in court.
“When people feel that they are being treated fairly, they will engage, they will participate and accept the penalty,” says Riggs.
Court sessions happen every Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the library. After they are done at 10 a.m. those providers stay to help whoever needs assistance, even if they are not there for court.
