Michael Schrunk has been the district attorney in Multnomah County, Oregon, for over 25 years, and has been the leader in several innovative justice initiatives. He launched Portland’s community prosecution program in 1990 and helped to open Portland’s first community court in 1998. In February 2007 he spoke with Center for Court Innovation staff about his experiences with both.
A mini-documentary based on the hour-long "Red Hook Justice," which aired on PBS. This video, by award-winning film maker Meema Spadola, offers a look into the workings of this innovative justice center.
Phillip McDonald is the court programs administrator for the Atlanta Community Court. He spoke with Center staff about the neighborhood Restorative Boards being developed and expanded under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community-Based Problem-Solving Criminal Justice Initiative.
This collection of research reports, written by Center for Court Innovation staff, analyzes the impact of a broad range of problem-solving initiatives launched in New York State and nationwide over the past decade.
D. Alan Henry is director emeritus of the Pretrial Services Resource Center, based in Los Angeles. He has testified before numerous state and Congressional committees, written extensively about pretrial issues, and provided technical assistance in the areas of jail overcrowding, pretrial release, supervision, and diversion to state, local, and federal officials in both adult and juvenile systems. He spoke with Center staff about pretrial diversion.
A description of the Harlem Community Justice Center, a unique multi-jurisdictional community court that hears a mix of family and housing court cases.
An overview of why problem solving strategies are desirable and techniques practitioners can deploy to introduce these strategies in conventional courtrooms. Published in the International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, Vol. 22, Nos. 1-2.
This study examines defendant perceptions of fairness at the Red Hook Community Justice Center. The report documents the importance of clear communication in the courtroom and the critical role of the judge in determining defendant perceptions of fairness.
Jeff Altenburg has been a prosecutor since 1997 and in 2002 joined the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Community Prosecution Unit, where he is currently the Community Prosecution Team Captain as well as the Community Prosecutor for Milwaukee Police Department District Three. In June 2007, he was named the Assistant District Attorney of the Year by the Wisconsin District Attorney Association.
Judge Thomas Amodeo has been chief judge of the Buffalo City Court since 1994. He spoke with Center for Court Innovation staff about the C.O.U.R.T.S. (Court Outreach Unit: Referral and Treatment Services) program, which screens and refers defendants to treatment and other services.
