What is the Red Hook Court, and how is it different from other courthouses in Brooklyn?

I am delighted to have been a pioneer in the development of the Red Hook Community Justice Center (RHCJC), which was first established in June 2000.  This multi-jurisdictional community court was created to address the unique social and judicial needs of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook.   The Court is a collaborative effort among the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the Center for Court Innovation, and the Office of Court Administration.

At the RHCJC, one sitting judge hears neighborhood cases that would ordinarily be heard in three different jurisdictions – Family, Civil or Criminal Courts.  This coordinated approach to individuals’ involvement in the legal system is one of the central goals of the RHCJC.

More than 4,000 misdemeanor cases are processed through the RHCJC annually. As a problem-solving court, the RHCJC seeks to resolve cases in ways that address the needs of the victim, make reparations to the community, and when indicated, effectively change the defendant’s behavior.  Some cases are adjudicated in a traditional prosecutorial manner, with traditional sentencing employed. However, when considering sanctions, the Red Hook judge also has a wide array of alternatives to choose from.   Most cases result in sentences that incorporate one or more of the myriad programs and services available.  Sentences can include intensive drug or alcohol treatment, mediation, anger management classes, GED classes, youth groups, vehicular programs, “John School” (for those arrested soliciting a prostitute) and more. Restitution projects can include painting over or scrubbing graffiti, sweeping the streets or cleaning the Justice Center itself.

Additionally, my prosecutors who staff the RHCJC are active in the community, frequently attending neighborhood meetings and participating in community events.  In this way, they are able to contribute to getting the message out to the residents of Red Hook  that the services provided by the RHCJC are not limited to court users, but are available to anyone in the community who wishes to participate.

For additional information visit www.brooklynda.org. To have your questions answered in a future column, send them to asktheda@brooklynda.org.