D.C. Superior Courts' Community Courts
Community courts bring together new partners and new resources to respond to crime and safety issues in innovative ways. In a community court, everyone has a role to play in solving local problems--not just the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney, but also social service and government agencies, and, most importantly, community organizations, individual residents and the defendant/offender. Through these partnerships, community courts respond more effectively to crime and develop solutions that improve outcomes for the community, victims, and the defendants/offenders themselves.
The District of Columbia Courts have two community courts: the D.C./Traffic Community Court and the East of the River Community Court. Both courts focus largely on quality-of-life offenses, such as driving violations, public drinking, prostitution, and drug dealing, all of which can have a significant negative impact on the community.
Like traditional courts, community courts seek to determine guilt or innocence, but unlike traditional courts, they have a much broader array of responses at their disposal than just fines or short jail stays. Because they seek not only to punish defendants/offenders but also to repair the harm caused by the offense, community courts frequently require defendants/offenders to "pay back" the community by performing court-supervised community service. They also seek to reduce the likelihood of future offenses by linking offenders with services they may need, such as drug treatment, job training, and mental health services.
By strengthening ties between the court system and the community, the D.C. Courts' community courts seek ultimately to reverse neighborhood decay, strengthen communities, and improve public confidence in justice.
The D.C./Traffic Community Court
Moultrie Courthouse, Courtroom 115
Magistrate Judge Michael McCarthy, Presiding
This community court was implemented in January 2002 to hear all Superior Court D.C. traffic violations and D.C. misdemeanor cases. The D.C. misdemeanor crimes include offenses such as disorderly conduct, aggressive panhandling, possession of an open container of alcohol, and drinking or urinating in public. Although the criminal behavior is not violent, it has a significant negative impact on the D.C. community and the quality of life of its residents. The traffic violations include offenses such as no permit, unregistered auto, operating after suspension, operating after revocation, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, and driving while impaired. The purpose of the D.C./Traffic Community Court is threefold: (1) to improve public safety; (2) to "compensate" the neighborhood for the damage of quality of life offenses by having the defendants perform community service; and (3) to link defendants with social services--e.g. defendants without driver's permits obtain them, defendants with substance abuse problems receive the treatment needed, and defendants with mental health problems receive the services they need. This community court recognizes that individuals must be held responsible for their actions and will hold accountable individuals that threaten the safety of the public.
The East of the River Community Court (ERCC)
Moultrie Courthouse, Courtroom 221
Judge Craig Iscoe, Presiding
This community court was implemented in September 2002 and hears all U.S. misdemeanor cases (e.g., prostitution, minor drug offenses) not involving domestic violence that occur in the sixth and seventh police districts (Wards 7 and 8) of Washington, D.C. This problem-solving court was a response to the challenges faced by many of the East of the River communities of Washington, D.C. including increasing rates of poverty, crime and disorder that were higher than many other communities of the city. One judge presides over the ERCC and hears all phases of a case from arraignment until final disposition. The ERCC involves the partnership and collaboration of several agencies and entities including the United States Attorney's Office, Pre-Trial Services Agency, and D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association and works to identify the social services needs of the defendants/offenders that may contribute to criminal behavior, and fashion diversion programs, where appropriate, to address those needs. As cases come before the judge in the courthouse, she seeks to administer justice that is a balance between punishment, community restitution, and providing any services that the defendant may need. The judge also attends numerous community meetings and other neighborhood events to keep abreast of community developments, crime problems, issues, and concerns.
For more information about the D.C. Courts' community courts or if you would like to contact the community courts with suggestions, comments, questions, or concerns, please contact Michael O. Francis, Community Court Coordinator at 202-879-1950, email to Francismo@dcsc.gov, or write to: Michael O. Francis, Community Court Coordinator, Criminal Division, Superior Court, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.
East of the River Community Court Brochure [205k]
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