The Community Court will tackle 10 offenses that will help address quality of life concerns
VANCOUVER – Today, a new Community Court in Vancouver began hearing cases. The Court is a collaborative effort between the city of Vancouver, Clark County District Court, Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program and several service and treatment providers, including Council for the Homeless, Columbia River Mental Health, Sea-Mar, Ideal Options, Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Clark County Veterans Assistance Center, and Recovery Café.
“Vancouver’s new community court program is set up to compassionately and intelligently address lower-level crimes,” said City Attorney Jonathan Young. “Offenses such as camping in an ecologically sensitive area can now be addressed with meaningful consequences that have a positive impact on our community and break down barriers that have historically prevented people from finding jobs and permanent housing.”
The Community Court will tackle 10 offenses that will help address quality of life concerns. Examples of eligible offenses include:
- Criminal Trespass 2 (RCW 9A.52.080)
- Disorderly Conduct (RCW 9A.84.030)
- Intoxicating Liquor in the Park (VMC 15.04.120)
- Park Curfew Violation (VMC 15.04.150)
- Pedestrian Interference (VMC 7.04.020)
- Unlawful Bus Conduct (VMC 7.13.040)
- Unlawful Camping (VMC 8.22.040)
- Unlawful Storage of Personal Property in Public (VMC 8.22.050)
- Unlawful Transit Conduct (RCW 9.91.025)
- Urinating in Public (VMC 7.10.020)
“Collaborative Court Programs such as Community Court allow us to focus on quality-of-life issues and work outside of traditional court processes. These types of courts have been proven to offer more positive outcomes for participants and the community,” said Bryan Farrell, Court Administrator, Clark County District Court. “Directly connecting participants to services on their first day of court and having services available at each follow-up court hearing removes so many barriers for our participants.”
Police officers will cite eligible offenses into Community Court. At the court date, a court appointed attorney will be available to discuss the process, review the police report, and provide advice prior to entrance to the program. In addition to work crews assigned directly from the court, participants will have a needs assessment, where they will be immediately required to meet and participate with providers to help them navigate services that include housing, healthcare, behavioral health, and others.
Charges will be dismissed if conditions are successfully completed. Failure to appear or participate will mean a warrant and the case will return to “regular” court.
The Community Court will convene every Monday, except for recognized national holidays. For more information about community court visit, https://www.cityofvancouver.us/law/page/community-court
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
Also read:
- POLL: Should councilors serving on boards be required to vote the way the full council decides?
A new poll asks whether Clark County councilors serving on boards should be required to vote in line with the full council’s position or retain independent judgment. - Ninth Circuit revives claims against prosecutor who personally swore to warrant affidavit containing alleged false statements
The Ninth Circuit ruled that prosecutorial immunity does not apply when a prosecutor personally swears to alleged false statements used to obtain an arrest warrant. - VIDEO: Washington lawmakers clash over bills directed at limiting ICE officers
A heated House committee hearing on legislation aimed at limiting ICE officers in Washington was temporarily recessed after sharp exchanges between lawmakers over testimony and procedural disputes. - Stung by a court ruling, WA looks to clarify what is an ‘election’
Washington lawmakers are moving to clarify the legal definition of an election after a court overturned a felony conviction for voting in both Washington and Oregon on the same day. - Opinion: Olympia wants a 4-day work week. It won’t work out as the politicians think it will
Mark Harmsworth argues that House Bill 2611’s proposed 32-hour workweek would raise costs, strain small businesses, and undermine Washington’s economic competitiveness. - Republicans celebrate school choice in US Senate hearing, while Dems question fairness
Republicans and Democrats clashed during a U.S. Senate hearing over school choice, with supporters praising expanded options for families and critics warning the policies could deepen inequities in public education. - Opinion: The many reminders not to speed
Doug Dahl examines the many technological and policy-based reminders aimed at reducing speeding and explains why most drivers still choose not to use them voluntarily.
This looks like something only people smoking dope while sunning themselves on a Barge floating down the River of Denial on Fantasy Island could come up with. What could POSSIBLY go wrong?