The UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab and The Pew Charitable Trusts and invite North Carolina jurisdictions to apply to participate in the NC Court Appearance Project. Pew and the Lab will offer free technical assistance for up to three North Carolina jurisdictions interested in examining the scope and impact of missed court dates and exploring ways to improve court appearance rates and responses to missed court dates. Because Pew and the Lab adhere to a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to criminal justice policy, this project will be grounded in data, research, and stakeholder collaboration and priorities. Why Court Appearance? Although the majority of defendants show up for court, no-shows in even a small percentage of cases add up to a large number of rescheduled hearings, causing inconvenience and inefficiency for court personnel, witnesses, and victims. Additionally, common responses to non-appearances can land people in jail or prevent them from driving, causing significant consequences for them and their families. Research on behavioral science and system innovation show that courts can get better outcomes with targeted changes in policy and practice. Free Technical Assistance Pew and the Lab will provide free technical assistance to participating jurisdictions. With support from data and policy analysts, stakeholder teams will examine local data and develop solutions that work for their communities. Technical assistance will vary based on local needs, but generally will include: Analysis of the scope and impact of missed court appearances, Examination of relevant research in the field and promising case studies across [...]
Faculty Coordinators
