Congress Heights on the Rise

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Tuesday, Oct 14th Screen Justice: Community Courts



There is an event occuring on October 14 that the community should attend about the community court program, established in September 2002, focusing in on U.S. misdemeanor cases(e.g., prostitution, minor drug offenses) not involving domestic violence that occur in the sixth and seventh police districts (Wards 7 and 8) of Washington, D.C. This problem-solving court was a response to the public safety challenges faced by many of the East of the River communities of Washington, D.C. One judge presides over the ERCC and hears all phases of a case from arraignment until final disposition.


Subject: 10/14 Screen Justice: Community Courts
Please join us!


The Rise of Community Courts: DC's East of the River Court and Brooklyn 's Red Hook Court .
Where: UDC's David A. Clarke School of Law, Windows Lounge, Bldg 38, 2nd. Floor
When: Tuesday, October 14 Reception 5:45pm, Program begins 6:15pm.


A panel discussion of Washington DC's own East of the River Community Court with Presiding Judge of the East of the River Community Court (ERCC), Judge Craig Iscoe; Presiding Judge of the DC Misdemeanor and Traffic Community Court (DCMTCC), Magistrate Judge Michael McCarthy and Community Court Coordinator, Michael O. Francis.


FILM: Red Hook Justice (2004: 55 min, directed by Meema Spadola)

In 2000, an experimental court opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn —a neighborhood plagued by unemployment, poverty and crime. The court is at the center of the community justice movement where instead of jail time, offenders are sentenced to job training, drug counseling, and community service. The dramatic stories of three defendants presents a powerful portrait of what this revolutionary court can mean for communities worldwide. In 2008, The Red Hook Community Justice Center was recognized as an outstanding criminal justice program by the National Criminal Justice Association.


A Presentation of the Office of University Advancement and the David A Clarke School of Law
RSVP: DEvansPritchard@udc.edu