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Mission
Mission
To empower the residents of our neighborhoods to have a true voice in the criminal justice system and to improve the quality of life in the communities in which they live.
History
The Community Court of Indianapolis opened its doors in April of 2001 with the goal of targeting quality of life crimes, such as drug and alcohol-related offenses, vandalism, and prostitution. Typically, when traditional courts try these cases, judges are often forced to choose between a few days of jail time and nothing at all – sentences that fail to impress either the victim, the community or defendants that these offenses are taken seriously. In contrast, the Indianapolis Community Court sentences low-level offenders to pay back the neighborhood through community service while at the same time offering them help with problems that often help prevent criminal behavior in the community. Residents, businesses and social service agencies collaborate with the Court by supervising community service projects and by providing on-site social services, including drug treatment and job training.
Results
The Community Court achieves the following results:
Immediate Sentencing. Defendants often begin their sentencing within 24 hours of appearing before the court.
Community Service Projects. Defendants give back to the community by working on community service projects in the neighborhoods in which they are arrested.
Social Service. The Community Court regularly engages defendants in programs to address issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness, and unemployment. Additionally, defendants speaking only Spanish are encouraged to attend an English as a Second Language class.
New Community Partnerships. The Court works with community members, neighborhood groups, local residents, businesses, social service providers and other government agencies to forge creative, collaborative solutions to neighborhood problems. The Court houses an array of non-traditional programs, including community mediation and neighborhood impact panels.
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