Misdemeanor Evidence-Based Intervention Project

The Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated (FI) Program is funded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a) et seq.), the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state, local and tribal jurisdiction. It is designed to prevent and reduce crime and enhance the criminal justice system through collaboration with the field to identify, define, and respond to emerging or chronic crime problems and systemic issues. The FI Program furthers the Department's mission by trying new approaches, addressing gaps in responses, building or translating research knowledge, or building capacity to address the issues that bring fresh perspectives and ideas to enhance practices and prevent crime in the field.

The Center for Court Innovation (Center) will develop and test an evidence-based, brief intervention for misdemeanor offenders. The Center will address the problem of high misdemeanor caseloads with an alternative to incarceration tailored to reduce recidivism. The goal is to develop an evidence-based intervention model that responds to the risk-need profile of misdemeanor defendants. CA/NCF