P1 1WHEREAS, There are approximately 132,931 homeless people
2in California; and
3WHEREAS, People experiencing homelessness often receive
4citations for minor offenses such as traffic tickets, infractions, and
5various minor misdemeanors, including jaywalking, riding public
6transportation without a fare, sleeping in public places, illegal use
7of shopping carts, possession of an open container of alcohol in
8public, obstructing traffic on the sidewalk, and sleeping on a bus
9bench, as well as any warrants that arise for failure to resolve these
10minor offenses; and
11WHEREAS, Outstanding warrants limit the reintegration into
12society of the homeless, deterring them from using social services
13and impeding their access to employment. They are effectively
14blocked from obtaining driver’s licenses, job applications, and
15rental agreements; and
16WHEREAS, Homeless courts are special court sessions held in
17local shelters or community centers for homeless defendants to
18resolve outstanding misdemeanor offenses and warrants. Several
19jurisdictions in California have instituted Homeless court programs,
20including the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno,
21Humboldt, Kern, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and Ventura, and the Cities
22of Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Joaquin, and Santa
23Maria; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Homeless court programs reduce court and jail
2costs, build community collaboration, improve access to court,
3and assist homeless people in accessing vital services and jobs;
4and
5WHEREAS, To counteract the effect of criminal cases pushing
6homeless defendants further outside society, these programs
7combine a progressive plea bargain system, alternative sentencing
8structure, assurance of “no custody,” and proof of program
9activities to address a full range of misdemeanor offenses and bring
10homeless defendants back into society; and
11WHEREAS, These courts are funded and operated by local
12jurisdictions; and
13WHEREAS, The benefits to a county that has instituted a
14successful homeless court program are extraordinary; now,
15therefore, be it
16Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
17Assembly hereby encourages county governments to find ways to
18make homeless courts more accessible, such as allowing people
19to bring multiple cases to court per year instead of limiting them
20to one, and allowing fines to be recalled from collection by the
21county or collections agencies; and be it further
22Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
23of this resolution to the author for the appropriate distribution.
O
99