When people experiencing homelessness engage with the justice system, their tendency is to run. That has not been the case for Phoenix’s Community Court that began in 2024.
About 66% of defendants in general show up to their hearings. For people experiencing homelessness, only about 5-6% of people show up, according to David Ward, director of Phoenix’s Public Defenders Office. However, Phoenix’s Community Court has seen 72% of homeless defendants show up for hearings, “an amazing number,” Ward said.
Community Court offers homeless people accused of nonviolent crimes a chance to accept services aimed at lifting them out of homelessness in exchange for reduced or dropped charges.
