The Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles recently negotiated and executed a three-year funding agreement with the countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee to implement the Court-Referred Community Service Program at the Los Angeles County Superior Court of California.

Community service provides an alternative sentencing option in lieu of fines and/or incarceration for individuals who are convicted of infractions or misdemeanors. Individuals who choose to perform community service contact one of nine community service referral agencies serving 24 courthouses located throughout the county. The referral agencies charge a fee, arrange the performance of community service at a nonprofit organization, and review and assist the participants in reporting the hours of community service performed.

Due to the lack of regulation of community service referral agencies, there have been many issues with fraud, prompting the court to consider reducing or discontinuing the use of community service as a sentencing option. Such action could lead to loss of driver’s licenses, additional criminal violations and an increase in the number of incarcerations.

The newly implemented Court-Referred Community Service Program addresses the court’s concerns regarding community service as an alternative sentencing option, as well as the need to monitor the community service providers.

“Community service is a vital criminal justice program,” said acting CDC Executive Director Monique King-Viehland. “We are proud to partner with the CCJCC and the courts to ensure it remains a reliable replacement for exorbitant fines or incarceration.”

The Court-Referred Community Service Program will institute uniform standards for community service referral agencies, including common fee schedules, insurance requirements and forms to report completed service hours to the court. Additionally, the program has established a countywide list of approved community service referral agencies to be used by the court and defendants sentenced to community service. The providers will be periodically monitored to ensure they are operating in compliance with the established program standards.

For information, call (800)555-4452, or email TAS@lacdc.org.