Why District Court? Going Upstream.
01/18/23 • 33 min
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care.
In this episode we talk with Judges who operate diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care.
In this episode we talk with Judges who operate diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Previous Episode
The Opportunity in District Courts
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Some District Court Judges are taking steps to provide access to services that address root issues that might lead to incarceration and/or foster care for their children.
Season 2 focuses on how these courts are improving public safety by addressing problems 'upstream' from felony crime and/or foster care. It is our hope that these stories will inspire a movement to make Community Diversion common in Arkansas' District Courts.
Some data pulled from existing programs show the impact to individuals. This data is only a sample of the participants in the courts known to us. A formal pilot is desired to use the same metrics to assess impact and ROI of Diversion programs.
Of 529 families served in the past three years where the parent(s) had their driver's license suspended due to a court issue,
31% also had a child welfare case of some kind.
- Families that are struggling to pay court fees and fines often find themselves in additional trouble with child welfare systems. One crisis often leads to another.
61% were unemployed with no income from any source.
- Payment of fees or fines is exceedingly difficult and usually a lower priority than shelter, food, or escape through substances.
31% had misused drugs or alcohol in the past 30 days and were in need of recovery support
Engagement by case managers and connection to community provides had the following outcomes:
48% decrease in the percentage of families in legal crisis with a warrant out for their arrest.
Almost 100 of these parents were able to completely stabilize their legal situation, becoming current on their fees and fines.
155% increased transportation stability (reliable/legal transportation).
89% increase in full-time employment.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Next Episode
Those Sinking
Many Arkansans in prison and/or with children in the child welfare system started their legal engagement with misdemeanor crimes like traffic tickets, driving with no insurance, or theft. Community Diversion in District Courts is a key move to prevent future incarceration and/or foster care.
In this episode we hear from participants in diversion programs. It is our hope to see the expansion of Community Diversion to all Arkansas District Courts.
website: https://smartjustice.org/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/restorehopearkansas
Smart Justice - Why District Court? Going Upstream.
Transcript
00;00;05;12 - 00;00;25;18
Judge Sarah Capp
I think off hand of of a young man that recently was in my court, he owed thousands of dollars. He had accumulated about $10,000 in fines and cost at the beginning of May, taking the bench. He was constantly on my docket.
00;00;25;26 - 00;00;30;02
Charles Newsom
Judge Sarah Capp of the district court in Franklin and Johnson Counties.
00;00;30;19 - 00;00;49;00
Judge Sarah Capp
And I'd found him in contempt, I'd put him in jail,
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