SJC Exchange Library

New innovation program called Hitch a Ride to Court

This program is more clearly defined in the draft brochure attached. In Hennepin County (Minneapolis, MN) we are essentially offering free rides to and from Court appearances and meetings with the public defender's office in order to avoid bench warrants and expedite case processing. This reform effort takes our E-Reminder project (calling, texting, emailing reminders for Court) one step further to help those unable to access or afford transportation a reliable ride to and from their court appearances and related court appointments. The project will focus on those eligible for the services of the public defender. We plan to examine success of the program in many different ways including reduction in overall bench warrants issued, jail bookings and ROI in terms of cost of continuances. We have an impending implementation date set for January 2, 2019. Key partners to make this project work include: Minneapolis City Attorney's Office, Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, Fourth Judicial District Court, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Hennepin County Administration and Hitch Health.

#transportation #InnovationSites ​​