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Community Court
The Eugene Community Court aims to improve public safety and reduce misdemeanor activity in the downtown core to improve safety and quality of life for all. The process promotes responsibility in participants through a combination of supervised community service and direct connections to social service providers.
The foundation of the Community Court is a team of justice system and social service professionals dedicated to collaborating on cases to reach practical solutions. Representatives of several local social service agencies work with the Community Court team onsite to problem-solve with community members in need of assistance and connect them with services that will address their needs and help them move out of the criminal justice system and toward an improved quality of life.
The City of Eugene is one of 10 cities nationwide who received a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant through the Center for Court Innovation to implement a Community Court. The Center for Court Innovation is providing technical assistance for the planning and implementation of this project.
When and where is Community Court?
- Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Downtown Eugene Public Library
100 W. 10th Ave., First floor conference room
Who May Participate in Community Court?
Individuals are eligible if their offense was committed within the designated geographic area, the offense is identified as an eligible offense, and they do not have any violence in their past criminal history. In addition, other community members may be referred or seek services without a citation or arrest. Every participant will be asked to complete a needs assessment to help create an individualized service plan.
A variety of non-violent offenses are eligible for Community Court. A sample of eligible offenses includes:
- Disorderly conduct
- Interfering with public transportation
- Open container/consumption
- Prohibited noise
- Theft
- Criminal trespass
- Who are the Community Court Partners?
Who are the Community Court partners?
The City of Eugene Community Court has partnered with the following providers in a joint effort to provide needed services to community members.
- Catholic Community Services
- Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI)
- Eugene Parks and Open Space
- Eugene Police Department
- Eugene Public Library
- Gervais Salon & Day Spa
- Lane County Behavioral Health
- Lane County Health and Human Services
- Lane Transit District (LTD)
- Looking Glass Community Services
- Shlesinger & deVilleneuve Attorneys, P.C.
- ShelterCare
- VA Behavioral Health
- White Bird Clinic
- Willamette Family Inc.
The City of Eugene Community Court is a collaborative response to local concerns regarding public safety. Public safety representatives, community members, and service providers work together to address the underlying challenges that may lead to criminal behavior, and give the justice system meaningful options to handle lower-level offenses. Community courts are founded on evidenced-based practices, problem-solving, accountability, community engagement, and alternatives to incarceration.
Volunteers
Volunteers are essential to Community Court. We are recruiting volunteers!
Join our successful effort to restore marginalized people to the community through the City of Eugene Community Court program.
Through our collaborative program, we are pairing a primarily homeless population with social services achieving profound results.
Volunteers gain marketable skills, enjoy being part of an inspiring team, and experience the fulfillment that comes with meaningfully helping those in need.
Examples of Friday volunteer opportunities include:
- Greeter: Serve as a greeter to participants, Help Center walk-ins and community members as they enter Community Court.
- Participant Guide: Guide participants from the Greeter to the Participant Desk in the courtroom. Guide Help Center walk-ins to the Help Center Specialist.
- Courtroom Coordinator: Check in participants as they enter the courtroom and direct them to assessments, case manager, community restoration, attorneys and/or the judge as necessary.
- Operations Specialist: (9 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Set up and tear down signage, tables and chairs at the beginning and end of Community Court sessions.
- Community Restoration Volunteer: Perform community service alongside participants in Community Court for a two hour block.
- Community Restoration Lead: Lead a team of Community Court participants and volunteers to perform community service for a two hour block.
- Help Center Specialist: Help court participants and Help Center walk-ins connect with social services.
- Help Center Lead: Coordinates the efforts of the Help Center Specialists.
- Resource Specialist: Distribute lunches, hygiene kits, and hot coffee to participants and qualifying Help Center walk-ins.
Volunteers are not expected to volunteer every Friday. Instead, we ask that you identify those Fridays when you will volunteer in advance - so that we can count on you those days.
Volunteers are needed most during the summer months and during the holiday season.
If you have any questions regarding the program or related documents please contact us via the Community Court email address.
Documents
Internships
Eugene Community Court is currently seeking interns.
We are now accepting applications for the following positions:
- Internship Host: Eugene Municipal Court
- Program: Community Court
- Industry: non-profit, government, criminal justice
- Location: Downtown Eugene Public Library, Eugene, Oregon
- Compensation: Unpaid
- Hours per week: 8-16 depending upon credit/research arrangements
- Work schedule: Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, plus flexible off-site hours during the week.
Start Date: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Description:
Join our successful effort to restore marginalized people to the community through the City of Eugene Community Court program.
We offer the fulfilling opportunity to pair a primarily homeless population with social services achieving profound results.
Community Court is a collaboration of human service providers, public agencies and the City of Eugene Municipal Court.
Gain meaningful experience with leadership/supervision, project management, serving the public, and interagency communication.
Now accepting applications for Fall 2018!
Required qualifications:
- Ability to interact with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds
- Ability to keep detailed records
- Effective communication skills
- Must be available Fridays
Preferred qualifications:
Students seeking college credit for their studies.
Application Procedure:
Please submit a Volunteer Application, Background Check Disclosure, and CV/resume.
Forms may be submitted by email to CommunityCourt@ci.eugene.or.us, by fax 541-682-5417, or by postal mail or in person at Attn: Community Court, Eugene Municipal Court, 1102 Lincoln Street, Eugene, OR 97401.
For more information email CommunityCourt@ci.eugene.or.us or contact the court at 541-682-5400.
Documents
We are looking for service providers and educational programs appropriate for Community Court participants.
To ensure services are quickly and easily accessible to participants, the Community Court provides an onsite location for service providers. Volunteers will be available to help participants transition from the courtroom and ensure they meet each provider, as required on their individualized case plan. Community members do not need a citation to access the help center.
If your agency is interested in providing services and participating in our service provider room, please send a letter of interest, on your organizations letterhead, with the attached form. You may email, fax, mail, or hand deliver the information as described in the form.
Service Provider Information Form
If you have any questions regarding the program or attached form please feel free to contact us via the Community Court email address referenced in the form
Contact Us
-
Municipal Court
1102 Lincoln St.
Eugene, OR 97401
Ph: (541) 682-5400
Fx: (541) 682-5417
Email Municipal Court
Hours
Monday - Friday
Office (by appointment only): 8:00 AM- 11:30 AM and
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Phone: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Please Note
Our phones are not answered from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Online Records Search
Search for Court Records
Community Court
1102 Lincoln St
Eugene, OR 97401
Ph: (541) 682-5400
Email Community Court
Fridays
Hours
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Service provider availability and hours may vary. Service providers arrive at 11:00 AM
Please Note