The City of Meridian Municipal Court is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Justice Community Courts Initiative Grant through its Bureau of Justice Assistance.

One of only 10 courts nationwide to receive this grant, Meridian Municipal Court is the first court in the state to qualify for and receive the grant. This grant is also the first ever received by the court in the city’s history.

“This grant represents a tremendous milestone that has been achieved through understanding this community, building relationships and gaining the trust of our citizens,” Meridian Municipal Court Judge Dustin Markham said.

The Meridian Municipal Court has also been designated as a neighborhood-focused court program that combines the power of the community and the justice system to address local problems.

“The citizens of Meridian have seen this court go from being one-dimensional to achieving results never seen before,” Markham said. “We have produced college graduates, helped the homeless secure housing, directed citizens to much-needed counseling, and sent those who needed it to an inpatient rehab facility or an intensive outpatient program – all things that have never been done. Citizens are accepting accountability and are correcting their behavior when given the opportunity.”

This grant aims to further develop a community court to address offenders’ needs for assistance with homelessness, lack of high school equivalency degrees, job skill training, mental health needs, substance abuse issues and more. The community court will continue to utilize and depend significantly on community partners already providing needed services in low-cost or free programs.

Commenting on Meridian Municipal Court’s national recognition as a community court, Markham said, “The U.S. Department of Justice recognizes our commitment to the community and now blesses us with the resources to provide the citizens of Meridian more options for success in their lives.”

The total cost of the program pursuant to the grant award is $593,204.00, which will cover four years of funding. The funding will support an evaluation of the program’s success, employ a community liaison and ensure all participants are connected to the community services that they need and meet the expectations of the municipal court.

A press conference to announce the grant award will be held Monday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. in the City of Meridian Municipal Courtroom, 510 22nd Ave.