Municipal courts were originally developed with the intent to hold those who commit minor infractions accountable; however, they often produce harmful, disproportionate outcomes for lower income communities and communities of color. Despite this, municipal courts have been largely ignored by the criminal justice reform movement and their reform has received little attention or funding. The Center for Justice Innovation, in collaboration with JustLeadershipUSA, embarks on this project to engage people impacted by municipal courts, educate the field on successful and innovative reforms, and uplift the conversation to a national stage by convening experts and ideas.
Throughout this project, the Center will bring special attention to champions for change with lived experience in the municipal court system, elevate solutions and investment, and hold municipal courts accountable.
Support for this Municipal Courts and the Promise of Community Justice provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
Discover insights from our recent convening at Rutgers University in New Jersey! At this convening, our partners elevated municipal courts within the national reform conversation, while centering the voice and expertise of individuals who best understand and can attest to the range of impact that municipal court involvement can have on an individual and the community.
Watch some of the highlights from the convening here, featuring Professor Alexandra Natapoff and other municipal courts experts.
