Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Regional Homeless Court (RHC) was created by Phoenix, Temple and Glendale Municipal Courts. With the Support of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Superior, Justice and Municipal Courts, prosecutors and defense attorneys, and recent legislation passed by the Arizona State Legislature and Governor in 2012 at the request of the Courts, RHC has expanded. It now includes participation by all 26 Justice Courts in Maricopa County and all 23 Municipal Courts in Maricopa County and is identified as the Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court (MCRHC). Maricopa County is the 4th largest county in the nation. It is 9,224.27 square miles and is larger than seven states in the nation. MCRHC brings the homeless and the courts together in one location through partnerships with local homeless service agencies. The local homeless campus has been renovated to include a one-of-a-kind courtroom setting designed to make the homeless population feel welcome. It removes barriers typically experienced at other courts. In addition, the homeless are no longer required to drive from one end of the county to the other end to resolve outstanding offenses because there is now a centralized location. The goal is to resolve outstanding misdemeanor, victimless offenses, and warrants for homeless individuals who demonstrate a commitment to end their homelessness. MCRHC combines punishment and treatment through supervised rehabilitation programs provided by more than 20 community providers. Since it's inception, the homeless court has assisted more than 400 people in putting their lives back together and regaining self sufficiency. To date, individuals that have completed this program have not returned.