C4D - Discuss Community Court System

Committee Referrals - C4 D

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

Please refer a discussion to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC") to discuss/take action regarding the possible establishment of a community court system.

Florida Statute Sec. 948.081 authorizes each judicial circuit in the state to establish one community court for each judicial circuit for defendants charged with certain misdemeanor offenses. Therefore, to establish a community court for Miami Beach, the Chief Judge of the Miami-Dade Circuit Court would be required to order it.

The City Commission has previously discussed the possibility of attempting to seek to establish a local community court program, similar to the one in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Fort Lauderdale Community Court Program, launched in 2019 as Florida’s first of its kind, offers a rehabilitative alternative to traditional criminal proceedings for individuals charged with low-level municipal offenses—particularly those experiencing homelessness. Held weekly at City Hall, the court connects participants with essential services such as housing referrals, mental health and detox programs, medical assistance, and transportation support. Rather than imposing jail time, the program emphasizes accountability through community service and personal engagement with case managers, aiming to address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote long-term stability. This collaborative initiative brings together the City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County agencies, law enforcement, public defenders, prosecutors, and nonprofit service providers. Participants are expected to complete ten hours of community service tailored to their skills and interests before graduating from the program.

On April 29, 2021, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31669 (sponsored by former Commissioner Michael Gongora and cosponsored by then-Commissioner Steven Meiner and Commissioner Mark Samuelian) authorizing the Miami Beach Police Department to spearhead the effort to seek the creation of a local community court program.

Following the enactment of Resolution 2021-31669, and a 2023 discussion at PSNQLC on the subject of grant funding for such a program, sponsored by then-Commissioner Meiner, the City Administration researched possible grant funding to support the municipal prosecution program, including the potential establishment of a community court program. The Administration’s research determined that federal grant funding for community courts had been offered, but was no longer open for new applications. The Administration also updated this research on September 5, 2025, and confirmed that no federal grant funding for this purpose is currently offered.

The sponsors of this referral item would like to have a follow-up discussion to again discuss the possibility of seeking to establish a community court at the present time.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Administration is requested to be prepared to address the fiscal impact of this proposed measure, if any, at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee meeting.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

City Attorney

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Mayor Steven Meiner

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: PSNQLC – Discuss/Take Action Re: Establishment of Community Courts (Rosen Gonzalez / Meiner)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)