ProGov21 Policy Library

Millions of Americans have one or more forms of mental illness. These conditions have wide-ranging health, economic, and social consequences. For example, mental illness is a major factor in homelessness and incarceration. And serious mental illness - defined as a mental, behavioral,...

Civil Courts act as a "great equalizer" for disadvantaged communities facing growing inequality, complex risks, and weakened regulations. This infographic illustrates four case studies on how individuals and communities have sought justice through the courts against powerful corporations....

The model ordinance authorizes court-appointed pretrial-services advocates for defendants accused of nonviolent crimes; provides for the basic elements of an effective pretrial-services advocate program; and provides for cost-benefit and outcomes comparison with the general Louisiana...

For decades, advocates, activists, and organizations have deployed courtwatching as a tactic to achieve a wide variety of outcomes, such as ensuring a more transparent criminal legal system, reporting on judges or prosecutors, gathering information for a campaign, providing individual...

For this article, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center interviewed defenders from four counties in California, each with a different model. The models include having a full-time or a part-time in-house immigration specialist; contracting with an outside organization; having an in-house...

The King County Superior Court affirmed its commitment to keeping the courts open and accessible for everyone by establishing a policy stating that warrants based on immigration status should not be executed in courtrooms unless ordered by a judge and that discourages processing within...

Before COVID-19 became a global pandemic, missing a court date, a check-in with parole or probation, a day of community service, or a court-mandated treatment program could and frequently did result in people being jailed. However, during the early days of the pandemic, most states...

This report examines how Los Angeles County can reduce incarceration for individuals with mental illness by implementing diversion programs together with supportive housing and assertive community treatment (ACT) programs. These programs have been shown to reduce recidivism. This...

This template is a tool for gathering important information and data relevant to first-appearance hearings. It includes sections for the defendant's personal information, the charges against them, the judge's remarks, and any other notable observations during the hearing. The template...

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, courts at all levels, from local trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States, have conducted legal proceedings using teleconferencing remote technology. This report outlines how remote hearings and trials have the potential to cause...

Preemption is the legal doctrine that allows state law to override local law, thereby limiting the powers of local government. This brief outlines two steps local governments can take to preserve their autonomy and combat preemption: (1) educate state legislators about the downsides...