For Homeless, a Court of Last Resort
When San Diego's homeless arrive in a makeshift courtroom at downtown's St. Vincent de Paul Village, they aren't waiting to be punished. Instead, they're there for a chance to avoid the real thing.
The "court" doesn't have the power to wipe a transient's legal slate clean, but the prosecutors that work with it do. The idea is to help the homeless -- along with the mentally ill and addicted -- rid themselves of the consequences of citations and warrants.
But they have to work for it. The participants in the homeless court program, the first in the country, must have enrolled in recovery programs or have taken steps to find work or homes.
The "court" doesn't have the power to wipe a transient's legal slate clean, but the prosecutors that work with it do. The idea is to help the homeless -- along with the mentally ill and addicted -- rid themselves of the consequences of citations and warrants.
But they have to work for it. The participants in the homeless court program, the first in the country, must have enrolled in recovery programs or have taken steps to find work or homes.
______________________
In other mayor's office news, Sanders will step in where councilmembers refuse to tread and suggest sites for homeless shelters in all eight council districts. (U-T)
No comments:
Post a Comment