Midtown Community Court evolves into Midtown Community Justice Center

The Center for Justice Innovation marked the 30th anniversary of the Midtown Community Court on Tuesday by renaming it to the Midtown Community Justice Center, reflecting its holistic and community-based approach to justice, the Center said.

This renaming signifies the center’s evolution from a traditional court to a multifaceted institution providing a range of services, including court-adjacent alternatives, street outreach for the unhoused, and community engagement initiatives.

Established in 1993, the Midtown Community Court, now the Midtown Community Justice Center, has been a pioneer in problem-solving justice, aiming to reduce crime and incarceration while increasing public trust. Over three decades, it has handled nearly 500,000 criminal court arraignments and summons appearances, demonstrating a successful track record in reducing incarceration rates. 

The center’s landmark Community First program has notably engaged with nearly 650 unhoused individuals over 2,000 times in just two years.

The renaming ceremony, held at New World Stages, included a panel discussion featuring prominent figures like Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York State Chief Judge Rowan Wilson. The panelists discussed the evolution of public safety and justice in New York City, highlighting the center’s innovative approaches to justice delivery.

“Since its establishment in 1993, the Midtown Community Court has never been just a court,” said Chief Judge Wilson. “It is a neighborhood fixture. It is a creative collaboration between the judiciary, defense agencies, the district attorney’s…