New Community Court Gets Ready to Dispense Justice

photo: Maureen McGettigan

District Attorney Kamala Harris speaks to a group of people involved in the opening of a new Community Court at the court's opening day celebration, held Feb. 10.

A new community court had its inaugural meeting Feb. 10 and will soon start dispensing justice every month - Richmond District style.

The new court will use neighborhood residents to levy judgement concerning misdemeanor crimes that have been committed in the neighborhood. Crimes that the court will look at include trespassing, graffiti and shoplifting.

If the suspect agrees to community judgement, the crime can be expunged from the suspect's record if they do not commit another crime for one year after sentencing.

Another benefit of the program is the sentence being meted out where the crime was committed. For example, if a suspect is caught spraying graffiti in a neighborhood, then that neighborhood will have some of its graffiti removed by the suspect.

At the initial meeting, held at the Richmond YMCA, SF District Attorney Kamala Harris (whose office is responsible for the court) joined SF Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, YMCA Executive Director Robert Sindelar and other community leaders to officially kick off the proceedings.

"I am thrilled to welcome this program to the Richmond District, where a number of highly-qualified volunteers have already signed up to participate," McGoldrick said.

The community court program started in 1998 and is now active in 12 San Francisco neighborhoods.

According to the City Attorney's Office, the program saved the City approximately $363,000 in the first six months of 2004 by sending 2,223 cases to the community court system. Twice a year, Richmond District organizations can apply to acquire a portion of the funds.

For more information, call the District Attorney's Office at 734-3018.