Seal of Dane County County of Dane
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Participation and Processes

Who is Eligible?

Participants are eligible for the Community Court if they are: 

  1. Charged with a nonviolent misdemeanor or felony that the District Attorney’s Office has decided to prosecute
  2. Age 17 - 35 years old. 
  3. Willing to comply with program requirements, including wraparound services and judicial oversight.

Court Information

  • Community Court operates out of the Dane County Courthouse, located in downtown Madison at 215 S. Hamilton Street.
  • Community Court cases are heard Tuesday mornings beginning at 9:00am in Courtroom 5B (5th floor).

Case Flow

Below shows the steps from referral to participation in the program.

 
Charge is issued. Case screened for eligibility by the DA’s Office. Letter is created to inform individual of Community Court.
Individual appears for their Initial Appearance hearing. Information about Community Court will be provided.
Interested individuals will have a required meeting with the Community Court Judge to learn more about the program and its offerings.
Individuals who meet with the Judge will complete an assessment with a Community Court case manager.
A case plan is drafted based on the assessment, identifying goals the individual must complete to graduate the program.
The individual will enter a plea for their case.
Individual appears for their first Community Court appearance.

Program Completion

During an individual's first Community Court hearing, a plan to resolve the case, also known as the Participation Program Agreement, will be ordered. This plan will connect the individual to appropriate services and support based on their case. 

The individual will have ongoing check-ins and court hearings to track their progress and receive support as needed. If the individual completes their Participation Program Agreement, their charges are reduced or dismissed. 

Services and Support Offered

** This is not an exhaustive list. Service connections and partnerships will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to inform program on meaningful connections and service, and community partnerships that enhance program outcomes.

  • Peer Support & Mentoring Services 

  • Therapy & Behavioral Health Interventions 

  • Substance Use Treatment 

  • Community Service & Restitution

  • Education and/or Employment Training 

  • Restorative Practices 

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m interested in participating/interested in my loved one participating. How can I refer myself/them?  

  • At this time, the Community Court is not accepting self-referrals. If you are interested and believe that you qualify as a participant, please contact your attorney to reach out to the Office of Justice Reform. 

Where do I go for my Community Court hearings?

  • All Community Court hearings take place at the Dane County Courthouse, 215 S. Hamilton St. Madison, WI 53703, on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 9:00am. 

What is required to participate?

  • To participate, you must be willing to engage in the program, including its supportive services, case management, and court supervision. This includes completing all objectives identified in their Program Participation Agreement, which may include things such as community service, job training, and/or counseling.

What happens if I don't follow the Participation Program Agreement?

  • If a participant does not meet their agreement, the court will respond with appropriate consequences to reinforce accountability. This may include increased court involvement or removal from the program and a return to traditional court proceedings. 

Where can I park when I come to the court house?

  • Parking is available in the Dane County Parking Ramp for an hourly rate. Additional metered parking is available nearby, and if a close proximity isn't necessary, free parking can be found within walking distance. All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, so please arrive early enough to accommodate busy parking days. 

What is the benefit of participating in the Community Court?

  • Individuals often benefit when solutions to criminal activity are linked with social services. By connecting the individual with essential social services, the problems that are often associated with criminal activity involvement can be effectively targeted. Community Court participants are given the opportunity to connect with resources and services that can help address needs and underlying issues that often lead to offending, such as unmet mental health needs, substance use disorders, homelessness, and unemployment.

I am the victim. How do I benefit from the Community Court?

  • Participant agreements can include tasks to repair harm caused by the offense, such as restitution (paying for damages) or restorative conversations. Restorative conversations are facilitated by program staff and provide an opportunity for person(s) harmed to share their story, express how and why they were hurt by the offense, and have a say in what is needed to heal from the incident.
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