Homeless Community Court

Started in February 2007, the Homeless Community Court is an innovative pilot project spearheaded by Ed Edelman, Santa Monica's former Special Representative for Homeless Initiatives.  The Court is a collaboration between the City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles Superior Court, the Public Defenders Office and homeless service providers.  The Court is presided over by the honorable Bobbi Tillmon and is completely voluntary. Social service agency staff members work jointly with the Judge and other Court staff to develop a treatment plan for each Court participant.   At the monthly Homeless Court session, the Superior Court Judge hears from service providers regarding each clients' progress toward moving off of the street, and takes this into consideration along with other factors in adjudicating the case.