The Court Advocacy program is an integral part of CAPS. Each of the 25 police districts has a Court Advocacy Subcommittee. With input gathered at beat meetings or from other members of the community, the Court Advocacy Subcommittees, working with the Police Department, identify and track cases of interest to the community. Cases can range from violent crimes, such as murder or rape, to “quality of life” cases, such as drug dealing and public drinking, abandoned buildings and negligent landlords, and problem liquor establishments. Volunteers then attend court dates associated with those cases.
The presence of Court Advocacy volunteers sends a strong message to the defendant, the judge and all other interested parties in the criminal justice system: the community cares about the outcome of these cases and is willing to devote its time and energies to monitoring the workings of the judicial system.
For more information on upcoming Criminal Court cases in the 20th District, contact the 20th District CAPS office at 312-742-8770.
For more information on upcoming Housing Court cases in the 48th Ward, please contact Alderman Smith’s Service Office at 773-784-5277.
Years ago when we had serious crime issues the community went to housing court, juvenile court and criminal court (although I don’t really personally recall going to criminal court except as a juror) . This is an effective tool as long as the judge knows (From the prosecutor) that the court has representatives from the community watching the proceedings.