Second Chance Community Improvement Project
SCCIP Court is the first-ever felony community court in Dallas County. While created by Judge Rick Magnis (Ret.), Judge Stephanie Mitchell was hand selected by her predecessor to be the presiding judge of SCCIP in January 2017.
The SCCIP Court participants range between the ages of 17 and 30 and must have been arrested in or reside in the 75210, 75215 and 75216 zip codes. They participate in a 9-18 month pre-trial diversion program aimed at improving participants’ lives through particularized strategies of building support systems, coping skills and providing services that aid them in making better choices. Upon completion of the program the participants’ cases are dismissed and expunged.
In February 2018, the Lone Star Justice Alliance partnered with the SCCIP Court to reframe the SCCIP model to focus on the delivery of indigent defense services through the multi-disciplinary team. This reframing will allow the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office to delivery higher quality legal services to their clients. The new framework will also increase the number of participants served in the community court program and enhance the services provided to participants through a revised program structure that integrates health, social service, and criminal justice stakeholders.
In the News
The SCCIP team is transforming the lives and behaviors of emerging adults
who have often been left to fend for themselves at the margins of society.
who have often been left to fend for themselves at the margins of society.
On May 31, 2018, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) recognized the Second Chance Community Improvement Project with the 2018 NADCP Equity and Inclusion Award. This is a well-deserved honor!
A Second Chance for young offendersThe Dallas County Public Defender’s Office, in partnership with the Dallas City Attorney’s Office, just received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help establish the first county-municipal community court.
www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/southern-dallas/a-second-chance-for-young-offenders/287-135941395
The Dallas County Public Defender's Office won a $200,000 grant Wednesday to establish a community court run by the county and the city.
www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2016/04/13/city-county-receive-200000-u-s-department-of-justice-grant-for-south-dallas-community-court
www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2016/04/13/city-county-receive-200000-u-s-department-of-justice-grant-for-south-dallas-community-court