Vancouver Unveils a New Court That Prioritizes Rehabilitation Over Incarceration

A new court opened last month in Vancouver, Washington, to handle trials involving crimes often committed by homeless individuals, such as sleeping or storing belongings in public places. For these minor offenses, the Recovery Café, a Clark County-based dr*g addiction treatment facility, serves as the venue for the judicial proceedings.

The accused are called “participants” rather than “defendants.” At each hearing of the Vancouver community court, multiple service providers are present to help defendants immediately access services and pledge to fulfill a set of conditions, including community service, ordered by the court to resolve their cases.

Here’s the latest on what’s been happening in Portland-

• The Traffic Division of the Portland Police Bureau Will Be Reopening.
• Another Sinkhole Has Appeared at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area.

Vancouver’s city attorney is a man named Jonathan Young. Brandy Branch oversees Lifeline Connections’ community and outpatient programs as vice president. Cr!minal defense attorney Christie Emrich runs Vancouver Defenders. They have joined us to share their thoughts on Vancouver’s community court’s achievements.