Reso 2006-127 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

10 Alameda Countywide Homeless and Special Needs Housing Plan Take.a look at.... Collaborating with the court systems Alameda County's Homeless Court Project In Alameda County, the Continuum of Care Council and the.SuperiorCourtofCalifornia's Community- Focused Court Committee co-sponsor and jointly operate a Homeless Court. Many people who are homeless have at some point received a ticketforamisdemeanorchargesuch as jaywalking or carrying an open container. If they can't pay the fine, it becomesabiggerfine, and then it becomes a bench warrant. These warrants can prevent people from gettingia jOb,housing, or public assistance. The Homeless Court convenes periodically throughout the county at locations such as homeless shelters. Homeless people whose misdemeanor charges have turned into warrants c:ome to the Homeless Court to have their cases dismissed. Before appearing in court, participants work with staff from participating provider organizations and a public defender to evaluate their cases and to review their efforts to turn their lives around. This information, along with a letter of support from staff,is presentedto thepresidingjudgeduring the court session. By bringing court to the people, and not giving additional fines to people who cannot paythem,the Homeless Court helps people who are moving toward greater independence and stability but who are unable to obtain employment, disability benefits, or housing because of outstanding warrants for non-violent offenses. The Homeless Court Project provides a new beginning for people by lifting significant barriers to exiting homelessness. The majority of defendants seen by this court are chronically homeless. By May 2005, foursuccessfulcourt sessions had been held, serving more than 80 chronically homeless people. The courts adopted this system because it was clear that a different approach was needed forthis segment of the population.