Procedural Justice

Procedural justice seeks to ensure that the justice system treats everybody with dignity and respect.

Research has shown that when court users perceive the justice system to be fair, they are more likely to comply with court orders and follow the law in the future—regardless of the outcome of their case. Researchers such as Tom Tyler of Yale Law School have boiled down procedural justice to a handful of key elements: treating court users with dignity and respect, ensuring that they understand the process, that they have a voice, and that decisions are made neutrally. The Center for Justice Innovation works to promote procedural justice in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to testing promising practices on the ground in our operating programs, we offer training and expert assistance to jurisdictions interested in assessing or enhancing their procedural justice practices.

Initiatives

Harlem Community Justice Center

The Harlem Community Justice Center is a neighborhood-based community court committed to bridging the gap between the court and community to achieve fairness and systematic equity in housing, commu
MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge

The MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge seeks to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails.
Red Hook Community Justice Center

The nation's first multi-jurisdictional community court, the Red Hook Community Justice Center seeks to solve neighborhood problems in southwest Brooklyn.

Publications & Digital Media

Label:Video

Changemakers in Action: Chidinma Ume

by William Harkins

Chidinma Ume is a connector of both people and resources as she consults with communities nationally to implement justice reforms. Based in our West Coast office, Chidinma serves as deputy director of policy, a role that allows her to provide jurisdictions advice, support, and training in the areas of jail reduction, criminal justice debt reform, and to work with government and community leaders on evidence-informed practices. Hear from Chidinma how she approaches the work of transforming justice in an effort to co-create a fairer, more human-centered system for all.

Bail Reform, Problem-Solving Justice, Procedural Justice, Rethinking Incarceration
Label:Book

To Be Fair

by Emily Gold LaGratta and Tom Tyler

To Be Fair is a compilation of interviews with practitioners from around the country who have worked to implement the tenets of procedural justice in criminal courts.

Procedural Justice
Label:Publication

Fact Sheet: Newark Community Solutions

This fact sheet summarizes the mission of Newark Community Solutions, an initiative of the Center for Court Innovation that seeks to re-engineer how low-level cases are handled at the Newark Municipal Court in Newark, New Jersey.

Problem-Solving Justice, Procedural Justice, Community Justice

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News

A Coffee Stand in Brooklyn Brings Humanity to the Legal Process

A human exchange over a cup of coffee can go a long way towards bringing humanity to a sometimes alienating experience.
The Book Prize Building Bridges for Incarcerated People

The winner of the Inside Literary Prize—the first major U.S. book award judged by people who are currently incarcerated—will be announced on August 1.
Breaking the Cycle: Prioritizing Mental Health Needs in the Courtroom

Many people with mental health challenges wind up in the criminal legal system because they have virtually nowhere else to go. Take a look inside the special court program in Manhattan working to change that.

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We work with reformers around the world.