The DC Superior Court is creating new community courts to put non-violent offenders to work in the communities where they committed their crimes. The move is based on a pilot project in the sixth and seventh police districts, which has demonstrated a reduction in recidivism in misdemeanor cases. Because of their caseload, the second and fourth districts will be combined; all others will have their own court.

The goal of the program is to partner offenders with resources like employment opportunities, education, job training, housing and mental health services when necessary. The offenders work off their crime in the community where they broke the law and their case is dismissed upon completion.