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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe state’s only community court marks its 10th anniversary this year with a celebration planned for Sept. 29.
Despite discussion of the concept expanding statewide, the Marion Superior Court remains the state’s only neighborhood-focused problem-solving court. The court began in 2001, with now-retired Marion Superior Judge Patricia Gifford and then-prosecutor Scott Newman getting the ball rolling based on an East Coast model and a three-year $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The court handles lower-level misdemeanor crimes, such as public intoxication, prostitution, and shoplifting that occur on the city’s southeast side. Sentences focus on restitution and community service rather than jail time. Many of those community service hours involve picking up trash, cleaning graffiti, and helping people who may be having trouble maintaining their residences by painting or other upkeep projects.
About six years ago, the court moved from a nearby building on Shelby Street to its current location in a 12,330-square foot building in Fountain Square at 902 Virginia Ave. Judge David Certo is currently the presiding judge and operates an afternoon docket five days a week, with Commissioner Brenda Horvath working with him. They have on-site services for mental health and sexually transmitted disease testing/counseling, and the court works with community partners for job preparedness and on employment issues.
An open house celebration is planned for 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Community Justice Center, and it’s free and open to the public. Refreshments, activities for children, court tours, social service referrals and a mini-job fair will be offered. More information is available by calling 317-327-1010.
Rehearing "Community Court concept may expand" IL Dec. 24, 2008-Jan. 6, 2009
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