Regional Homeless Court Tackles Homelessness in a New Way
Regional Homeless Court Tackles Homelessness in a New Way
Regional Homeless Court Tackles Homelessness in a New Way
November 22 , 2005 by Editor
The Regional Homeless Court, a court gaining recognition nationally, was introduced to the Arizona public today as an effort by court officials, defenders, city prosecutors and community service agencies to tackle homelessness in a new way.
The municipal courts of Phoenix and Tempe are partnering to launch this program in the Valley. Beginning in February, the Regional Homeless Court will convene one afternoon each month at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix. Tempe Presiding Judge Louraine C. Arkfeld has volunteered to preside over the Regional Homeless court and hear all the cases.
The focus of this innovative program is to unravel the vicious legal cycle the homeless face and, at the same time, relieve courts of the costs of thousands of unresolved cases.
At present, repeat arrests for victimless offenses related to homelessness lead to fines, warrants and incarceration, which can block attempts to find housing, drivers’ licenses, jobs and the ability to start new lives. Courts struggle under the mounting costs of reviewing thousands of cases with no prospect of finality.
The event included first-hand accounts by John MacKanin, a former business executive and veteran who became homeless, and Steve Binder, chairman, American Bar Association on Homelessness and Poverty, and the defender who helped MacKanin overcome homelessness. Binder also founded the nation’s first homeless court program.
Homeless court programs are underway in Tucson; Salt Lake City; San Diego; Sacramento; San Bernardino, Calif.; and Los Angeles; in five California counties (Orange, Kern, Fresno, Alameda and Ventura); and in Nashville in connection with veterans’ “Stand Down;” in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Vancouver, Wash.; and Albuquerque.
Phoenix East Valley Phoenix Arizona Phoenix Relocation
Regional Homeless Court Tackles Homelessness in a New Way
November 22 , 2005 by Editor
The Regional Homeless Court, a court gaining recognition nationally, was introduced to the Arizona public today as an effort by court officials, defenders, city prosecutors and community service agencies to tackle homelessness in a new way.
The municipal courts of Phoenix and Tempe are partnering to launch this program in the Valley. Beginning in February, the Regional Homeless Court will convene one afternoon each month at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix. Tempe Presiding Judge Louraine C. Arkfeld has volunteered to preside over the Regional Homeless court and hear all the cases.
The focus of this innovative program is to unravel the vicious legal cycle the homeless face and, at the same time, relieve courts of the costs of thousands of unresolved cases.
At present, repeat arrests for victimless offenses related to homelessness lead to fines, warrants and incarceration, which can block attempts to find housing, drivers’ licenses, jobs and the ability to start new lives. Courts struggle under the mounting costs of reviewing thousands of cases with no prospect of finality.
The event included first-hand accounts by John MacKanin, a former business executive and veteran who became homeless, and Steve Binder, chairman, American Bar Association on Homelessness and Poverty, and the defender who helped MacKanin overcome homelessness. Binder also founded the nation’s first homeless court program.
Homeless court programs are underway in Tucson; Salt Lake City; San Diego; Sacramento; San Bernardino, Calif.; and Los Angeles; in five California counties (Orange, Kern, Fresno, Alameda and Ventura); and in Nashville in connection with veterans’ “Stand Down;” in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Vancouver, Wash.; and Albuquerque.
Phoenix East Valley Phoenix Arizona Phoenix Relocation
