About - Frequently asked questions
How is the Community Justice Centre different from other courts?
The Community Justice Centre deals with crimes committed against the community in the wards of Anfield, County, Everton and Kirkdale in North Liverpool.
The centre contains a dedicated courtroom, presided over by Judge David Fletcher. He deals with cases that would normally be referred to either Magistrates', Youth or County Courts, in one location. He can also deal with cases that would normally be sent to the Crown Court for sentence.
A panel of magistrates also supports the Judge by hearing trials at the Community Justice Centre, in cases where the defendant involved has pleaded not guilty.
A range of agencies are based in the centre, working together to make confidential, free support services available to everyone living in North Liverpool, as well as to victims, witnesses and offenders. They work closely together to deal with crime and disorder as effectively as possible.
The centre has a unique problem-solving approach. Those working with offenders are able to provide tailor-made programmes to help them repay their debt to the community and help them tackle the issues that cause them to commit crime, such as drug or alcohol problems, debt or housing issues.
What are its opening hours?
The centre is open on weekdays from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Its community room is available for use by local groups by prior arrangement, and this can include some evenings and weekends.
Will the Community Justice Centre replace other courts in Liverpool?
No, it will not replace any existing courts. The Community Justice Centre is part of the city's Magistrates', Youth Crown and County Courts, but only deals with anti-social behaviour type crimes committed in North Liverpool. Serious offences, such as very violent or sexual crimes, and those committed outside the community boundaries, are still dealt with in the normal way through the main courts.
What kind of crimes does the centre deal with, and why?
The centre deals with crimes that affect quality of life for people in the wards of Anfield, County, Everton and Kirkdale. Examples include vandalism, graffiti and crimes associated with anti-social behaviour. Anti-social behaviour degenerates the life of the local community and often leads to more serious crimes. The Judge's powers as a Circuit Judge means that the problem solving approach can be applied to more people.
Are people kept in custody in the centre?
The centre's court is able to hear custody cases. Defendants who are remanded in custody, or sentenced to custody by Judge David Fletcher, are escorted from the rear of the building into a police vehicle by police support officers. No offenders are held in the centre overnight.
What additional services does the centre provide?
The centre provides a range of services through a team of experts. These include:
- Advice on housing, debt and welfare benefits
- Help for drug and alcohol problems
- Help and advice with education and employment
- One-to-one support from volunteer mentors
- Support for victims and witnesses
How are local people involved in the centre's work?
The centre has been gathering the views of local people and continues to listen and respond to their ideas and their concerns. The Judge and his team hold regular meetings with two reference groups representing local residents, businesses and young people, to help decide the priorities of the work of the centre. Input from the wider community of North Liverpool is vital.
Contact us with your views.
How will the centre's impact be measured?
The local community will be involved in measuring public opinion on the success of the pilot and attitudes towards the criminal justice system and its agencies. Central Government research staff (managed by the Department for Constitutional Affairs Research Unit) and local agencies will be responsible for collating data on crime and disorder levels, re-offending rates, costs benefits and the efficiency of court procedures. The effect the Centre is having on its users including the local community, offenders, victims, witnesses and members of staff will also be assessed. The evaluation is due to be delivered in December 2006.