South Asheville News

    From  March 17, 2023 post. 

Court Navigator Pilot Program Launches At The Buncombe Country Courthouse

As part of a widespread effort to reduce instances of missed court dates and offer more support to justice-impacted individuals, Buncombe County Justice Services announces the launch of a Court Navigator pilot program. 

Justice Services, Buncombe County Government, and Buncombe County Sheriff's Office are happy to welcome Betsy Chavez to the Court Navigator role. Chavez is bilingual (fluent in Spanish and English) and will serve as the first point of contact for courthouse visitors and provide immediate and direct assistance and customer service. 

The pilot program strives to help reduce failure-to-appear charges by helping connect people to the court reminder notification program and will be based at an information kiosk in the main lobby of the Buncombe County Courthouse. 

“More than 9,000 individuals have entered the Buncombe County courthouse so far in 2023. We know navigating the criminal justice system can be very challenging, but this new position will make a difference and assist our deputies in better serving our community as they conduct business and go to court,” said Sheriff Quentin Miller. 

The Court Navigator can provide:• Directions/wayfinding to assist people in getting where they need to go in the building• Help people sign up for an automated court reminder system • Linkage/referrals to the justice system and/or community resources for supportive services such as the Justice Resource Center

“Access to our Court System is a barrier that can be challenged by the innovative Court Navigation Program,” notes Honorable Judge Julie M. Kepple. “Many folks that walk through our Courthouse doors experience anxiety, fear, concern, and even trauma. Just trying to find the right courtroom or juggling multiple court dates can be stressful and overwhelming. A trained Courthouse Navigator can intervene by providing a more user-friendly approach to navigating our courts.”

This pilot program is funded by the Safety and Justice Challenge and is contracted through Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina. Through collaboration with the Justice Resource Center, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, and Judicial Branch partners, the Court Navigator can help address initial needs for court appearances. 

For help in the courthouse, individuals can find the kiosk in the lobby or contact the Justice Resource Center at (828) 250-6401. Sign up for automated court date reminders at https://buncombenc.courtdates.org/.

Original source can be found here.