Newsviews: Community court in North Lawndale

CHICAGO (WLS) -- At a time when many are talking about the need for changes to our criminal justice system, a new court is being established in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood

It's called Community Court and Cook County is one of 10 sites across the nation selected for a pilot program. Community Court uses what's called "restorative justice," bringing together the defendant, the victim and others impacted by crime to find a resolution.

To explain how this works, the benefits and why Cook County wanted to be part of the pilot program is Chief Judge Timothy Evans and Judge Colleen Sheehan, both from the Cook County Circuit Court. Judge Sheehan will preside over the Community Court.

Part One

Part one of Newsviews' discussion of North Lawndale's new community court pilot program.

Part Two

The second part of our discussion about the new North Lawndale Community Court.