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Newberg Community Court Program Offers Non-Criminal Resolutions
(NEWBERG, OR) – The City of Newberg, the Newberg Municipal Court, and the Newberg-Dundee Police Department in partnership with local non-profits, is launching a new program to offer non-criminal resolutions to community members facing charges. On June 29, 2021, the first session of Newberg Community Court will take place. This new program provides help to low-level offenders who struggle with housing, mental health problems, and addiction while matching participants up with resources from local non-profit agencies.
In line with the Newberg City Council’s goal to improve customer service and improve access to equitable resources, the new program aims to improve the quality of life of participants as well as the residents of Newberg. Participants who successfully complete the program will have their criminal charge dismissed and outstanding fines reduced or waived. Individuals will only be eligible if their offense was non-violent, committed within the City of Newberg, and they do not have a violent criminal history. Every participant will be asked to complete an assessment and will be given a court case plan that includes providers that participants can access for different resources. Resource providers concentrate on housing, drug/alcohol treatment, health care, mental health, and food and essential resources, while also providing a connection for veteran services, education, identification, and transportation.
The Community Court system has been successful in other communities in Oregon including Eugene and Sweet Home. Municipal Court Judge Larry Blake was instrumental in creating a community court in Sweet Home and wants to replicate this success in Newberg. Judge Larry Blake said of the Community Court program, “I believe the citizens of Newberg would be better served by providing services to some individuals appearing before the court rather than pursuing criminal sanctions. Individuals with mental health issues, drug and alcohol issues, and housing issues will appear in Community Court and have providers in court to assist them in accessing services that will serve them in the future. The goal of Community Court is to dismiss minor criminal charges and waive fees & fines for individuals that are struggling to survive in today’s environment.”
Newberg’s Community Court Partners include Love Inc., Helping Hands, Yamhill County Health & Human Services, Yamhill Community Action Partnership (YCAP), Blanchet House, 5Rock Ranch, Providence Hospital, George Fox University Behavioral Health Center, Lutheran Community Service NW, Powerhouse, Veterans Services, Virginia Garcia, FISH, Yamhill County Transit, Provoking Hope, and Portland Community College Newberg Campus.
Mayor Rick Rogers and City Councilor Elise Yarnell Holloman have both been champions of the new initiative. Mayor Rogers spoke of the importance of the program saying, “Newberg Community Court is an exciting way to direct people to some of the services they most need. We feel this diversion from the criminal justice system will be a win for the residents, the Newberg-Dundee Police Department, the court, and the community. We are particularly pleased that Municipal Court Judge Larry Blake and staff including City Prosecutor Jeanne Schuback have initiated the effort, that Interim Police Chief Jeff Kosmicki and his department have embraced the concept, and our vast array of social service providers have signed on to offer their services."
The first Newberg Community Court will take place on June 29, 2021 at 11:00am. Clients eligible for community court will be selected when they come to municipal court.
