Access to Justice

We work to improve access to justice, with a particular focus on ensuring that low-income individuals have the tools they need to solve problems.

Poverty Justice Solutions helps provide lawyers for low-income New Yorkers in Housing Court. Legal Hand trains community volunteers to offer their neighbors free access to legal information. Our community justice centers work to render the justice system more transparent and responsive, actively engaging residents, merchants, and others in the process of doing justice.We work to improve the cultural responsiveness of courts in domestic violence cases and assist parents in child support cases. And our research department documents the legal needs of specific neighborhoods and produces recommendations for streamlining cumbersome legal processes, such as the payment of bail.

Initiatives

Legal Hand

Legal Hand empowers community residents to support their neighbors with the legal information they need.
Poverty Justice Solutions

Poverty Justice Solutions seeks to improve Housing Court in New York City by training new lawyers to represent tenants.
Price of Justice Initiative

The Price of Justice Initiative helps jurisdictions address the disparate impact of fines and fees on defendants who cannot afford them.
Housing Resource Centers

Through housing, financial, and legal assistance, we help tenants navigate housing court to resolve critical repairs and prevent evictions.

Publications & Digital Media

Publication
Neighbors in Action: Creating Safer and Healthier Communities

by Amy Ellenbogen

On the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, an introduction to the origins, programming, and community impact of Neighbors in Action, formerly known as the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center. Neighbors in Action works to make the central Brooklyn neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant safer and healthier for all.

Access to Justice, Addressing Racial Disparities, Reducing Trauma, Reducing Violence
Publication
BJA’s Sixth Amendment Initiative: Strengthening the Constitutional Protections of the Accused

by Lisa Bailey Vavonese, Jennifer A. Tallon, Amanda Berman, Suvi Hynynen Lambson, Brett Taylor, Elizabeth Ling, and Marea Beeman

The Center for Court Innovation and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association have provided strategic planning support to 10 jurisdictions across the U.S. to increase their capacities to uphold Sixth Amendment protections. Grounded in the Center’s unique research-practice approach, this report describes how former public defenders are paired with experienced researchers to work as a team to support the jurisdictions' strategic planning goals.

Access to Justice
Video
Helping Tenants Help Themselves: Spotlight on Housing Resource Centers

by William Harkins and Robert V. Wolf

As the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact surges across our country, now is the time to prevent evictions and keep families safely housed. In a new video, learn about how our housing help centers maintain and build secure and safe housing by empowering tenants to advocate for their rights. Staff help residents navigate Housing Court, get critical repairs, and provide them with the tools and information to prevent evictions and homelessness.

Access to Justice

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News

Only 9 Trials in 9 Months: Virus Wreaks Havoc on NYC Courts

December 2, 2020
The New York Times

Citing our findings of the surging number of people in New York City jails awaiting trial, The New York Times looks at how COVID-19 is disrupting the city's courts—imperiling not only people's health, but their constitutional right to a speedy trial.
What is the Price of Justice Initiative? A Q&A

This Q&A with Yolaine Menyard and Chidinma Ume provides an overview of the Price of Justice Initiative, which the Center for Court Innovation has been helping to implement with the support of the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.
California’s ‘Ability-to-Pay’ Calculator Reduces Burden of High Fines and Fees on Drivers

Drivers with fines and fees for traffic violations in California have a right to ask for relief, but the process can be time-consuming, requiring them to submit proof of economic hardship in court.

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Initiatives

Publications & Digital Media

News

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