Community justice centres

Mark Hall, antisocial behaviour officer at Teign Housing in Devon, asks...

Andrews: The centre will deal with crimes committed in the local area against the local community, such as fly tipping, car crime and antisocial behaviour. This greatly assists CDS in tackling issues that affect the quality of life of our customers.

The judge will work closely with the community and local agencies so he will be aware of the issues that concern local people and will be able to pass sentences that are consistent and more fitting to offences. He will also be able to check that sentences are carried out.

How do your lines of communication with the centre work?

Andrews: CDS met the centre project director before it opened and we can contact the judiciary at the centre for advice or assistance at any time. Advisory panels start in March this year; these will be attended by the judge and give us a forum to discuss progress, review our experiences and suggest improvements.

The project deals with civil as well as criminal cases. Can you undertake possession proceedings at the centre as well as pursuing antisocial behaviour legislation?

Andrews: Yes. His Honour Judge David Fletcher’s brief is wider than any existing magistrate, district judge or circuit judge: he can hear civil and criminal law cases and has the sentencing powers of a circuit judge.

Following our crack house closure order, CDS is applying for possession of the property through the centre. The case will be heard by the same judge, which gives a level of consistency to proceedings.

What is the budget for this project?

Marsh: Costs are still being established as the framework of the centre and the services the community want are developed.

Does CDS Housing contribute financially?

The judge will be able to pass sentences that are consistent and more fitting to offences

Andrews: No, it doesn’t. The centre is funded by the Home Office, the Office of the Attorney General, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

How many cases per day can the centre process?

Marsh: At the moment, while systems are bedding in, the court is processing 10 to 12 cases each day.

Hayley Lewis, policy officer at Westminster council’s antisocial behaviour unit, asks …

Andrews: Because we have more direct communication links we were able to let the centre know the cases were ready for court. The judge was aware of how important these cases were to the local community so he arranged a hearing quickly. CDS had direct access to the court, the court clerk, a dedicated police officer and a youth offending officer. Because the centre provides the whole range of services, we could secure results quickly.

Does the centre take over from the local authority ASBO case management team in any way?

Andrews: The centre complements the work of the local authority team rather than taking over from them. Because the centre is a local resource for a specific area it can gather intelligence that could be missed by traditional courts and this information will be shared with Liverpool antisocial behaviour unit, the police, and other partners such as RSLs and businesses based in the area.

How will the centre provide more consistent sentencing?

Marsh: Judge Fletcher will deal with all antisocial behaviour-type cases within the centre’s geographical boundaries. This will ensure consistency of approach from case to case.

Will the centre’s single point of contact be a telephone or walk-in service?

The emphasis of the court is to look for solutions for both victim and defendant from the beginning of the case

Marsh: The centre will provide a walk-in service for victims, witnesses, offenders and all members of the community. There will also be a phoneline, website and email address.

For defendants to be sentenced and assessed for rehabilitation services on the same day, will pre-sentencing reports X X be carried out immediately or will cases be adjourned for such reports to be completed?

Marsh: The judge will manage cases up to the point of trial; then he can sentence guilty pleas but, while it’s a pilot, any trials will still be heard at Liverpool magistrate’s court. They will all come back to the judge for sentencing though. The reason for this to ensure he’s not deciding on both the defendant’s guilt and the sentence; it’s also the most efficient use of the courts. Probation staff and youth offending teams will be on site to assess offenders at their first appearance.

The judge will have access to information about the offender very early in the case. At the defendant’s first appearance in court there is a case management meeting and, as most people we see will be indicating they’re willing to accept guilt, this meeting will involve sitting down with probation and youth offending teams and looking at ways to tackle the underlying problems causing their behaviour. This system will enable offenders to be sentenced at the earliest opportunity.

How will the centre increase the accountability to the community of those delivering justice?

Marsh: The community will play a major role in shaping the work of the centre. The judge, staff and criminal justice agencies will meet regularly with members of the community to find out what their priorities are and identify the types of crime they would like the court to handle. They will also be able to make suggestions for ways reparation can be made to the community through sentencing. On top of this the centre will provide a number of diversionary and intervention services and activities for the community aimed at reducing levels of offending.

Lynda Anderson, housing services manager at Eastleigh Housing Association, asks …

Marsh: Advice service and centre staff will provide on-site support for victims and witnesses of crime; the community will be able to bring their concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour to them. Staff will take ownership of problems, seek resolutions and work with the police to try to tackle the problem. The centre will seek to encourage witnesses to come forward and raise the levels of crimes reported and actions taken.

Speed of sentencing is clearly a benefit for victims. How quickly does the centre envisage cases getting to a hearing?

Marsh: The emphasis of the court is to look for appropriate solutions for both victim and defendant from the beginning of the case. Case management will take place from the moment of arrest to look at ways of tackling the underlying causes of offending.

How will perpetrators be allocated work? Marsh: The Probation and Youth Offending Services will advise the judge and the case management team about suitable options for unpaid work. They will make all decisions based on discussions held with the offender and taking account of local priorities.