New Community Court Launched In The City Of Hollywood

“This is the third community court now operating in Broward County,” says Chief Judge Jack Tuter. “The Court wishes to thank Mayor Levy and the Hollywood City Commission for their assistance in getting the Court off the ground.”

Community Court participants will be held accountable for their conduct, via community service, while also receiving access to one-on-one assistance and referrals to available resources, therapies, and opportunities to help them. “When you are out on the street it’s hard to know what services are available to you, let alone how to gain access,” says Judge Corey Cawthon. “So, when individuals come here, they really are appreciative of the help they receive.”

Community Court is a collaborative effort between the 17th Circuit, the City of Hollywood, Broward County, Broward County Clerk of Courts, the Law Office of the Public Defender, the Public Defender assigned to Hollywood, the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Broward County Sheriff, and several service and treatment providers, including Henderson Behavioral Health, The Caring Place-Broward Outreach Center, TaskForce For Ending Homelessness, Memorial Healthcare System and James Club Recovery.

“Community Court will play an important role in the City’s efforts to connect people experiencing homelessness with the services they need, while addressing the underlying issues,” says Ryon Coote, the Community Development Division Manager for the City of Hollywood. “I am grateful for the partnership that our Judicial Circuit has formed with us,” says Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy. “The Community Court will hold individuals accountable, but also will provide them with an opportunity to access the help they need to break the cycle and move forward to recovery and life off the street.”

The initiative was funded by a 4-year, $532,305 Grant that was pursued and secured from the Community Courts Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, and would not be possible without the steadfast commitment of Broward Chief Judge Tuter, Judge Barner, Judge Cawthorn and the Hollywood Police Department to see it through.

Since its inaugural session in January, the Community Court has already connected 73 people with the agencies that can help them. Each person’s progress is supervised by a case manager, who also oversees community service hour requirements. Ultimately, a graduation ceremony is held to provide the graduate with a deserving sense of accomplishment for their recovery. Hearings of the Community Court are held every Tuesday afternoon at The Caring Place’s Broward Outreach Center on Scott Street.

“The Court thanks Judges Corey Cawthon, and Florence Barner for their service in getting this Court operational,” says Chief Judge Tuter. Community Court will be held every other Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Caring Place - Broward Outreach Center located at 2056 Scott Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020.

For more information on the Community Court and all of its locations, visit the following link: https://tinyurl.com/CommCourt17th