LIFT- Criminal Justice Initiatives

In Autumn 2006, LIFT expanded into Criminal Court with the launch of an Education & Information Site in Brooklyn Criminal Court. The Site is located in the lobby of the courthouse, directly behind the metal detectors. At the Site, bilingual Site Coordinators work with crime victims, those accused of crimes, and the families of both, to increase access to justice by demystifying the criminal justice system - including how the Criminal Court and Family Court systems intersect - and giving people the tools they need to address the issues that arise as a result of criminal justice involvement.

We accomplish this goal by addressing specific questions, providing original multilingual legal resource guides covering a wide range of criminal justice topics (eg.- "What is Bail?", "The Rights of Crime Victims"), and offering referrals to neighborhood-based resources. By providing people with knowledge of their rights, and a regular touchstone for support located in an easily accessible courthouse location, the Site works to simplify the complexities of the system so that justice is accessible to all.

The Brooklyn Criminal Court Education & Information Site location and hours of operation:

Location: in the lobby of 120 Schermerhorn Street, directly behind the metal detectors.

Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.

We hope to expand these hours of availability and thus increase our ability to serve a greater number of those involved in Criminal Court. In addition to the launch of the Criminal Court Site, LIFT has expanded the capacity of our Legal Information Hotline. Hotline Associates are now able to answer questions about family AND criminal law. In tandem with this expansion, we are now accepting collect calls from correctional facilities on the Hotline. We have also enhanced our five-borough resource and referral guide so as to ensure the inclusion of criminal justice related services.

LIFT is excited about our expansion into Criminal Court - we view it as the foundation for future innovation in the criminal justice arena, including working to address the intersection of family law and the criminal justice system by focusing more directly on the legal issues faced by incarcerated parents.

Click here to review a report on the Brooklyn Criminal Court EI Site.

Click here to review the results of our latest client satisfaction survey administered in Brooklyn Criminal Court.

[Last updated on June 4, 2008]

"My time spent at the Criminal Court Site has really opened my eyes to the dire need for guidance and assistance to parties trying to navigate the criminal justice system." - Jasmin Redhead, Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives.