Using the Red Hook Community Justice Center and Red Hook Community Court in New York as a model, Judge Rachel L. Bell has created the Bordeaux North Community Justice Center in partnership with the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center. The soft launch of the space was on Thursday, November 14, 2019 and the room was packed full of elected officials, community partners, residents and neighbors. There was standing room only, even out in the hallway. For the very first time, Judge Bell handled 2 civil court cases in the space.
Judge Bell shared, “In my research, many of the Community Courts and Community Centers were created first and then had to add wrap-around services for the participants. With the Bordeaux North Community Justice Center we are inserting our Court into the C.E. McGruder Family Resource Center where the wrap-around services are already here. This is a win-win for everyone.”
The General Sessions Music City Community Court, Division VIII (8), is the First Community Court in the State of Tennessee. Since its inception in 2012, it has assisted over 11,488 in gaining access on the method to get their records expunged, restoring voter’s rights, re-instating driver’s licenses and helping individuals gain access to housing and jobs.
Historically those services were rendered on Saturdays with Community Service Return Dockets, Saturday Expungement Clinics, Indigency Dockets & Resource Fairs held in various locations in Davidson County. With the new partnership, in 2020, the Saturday Court Dockets will be housed in the same space, building consistency.
Also, various Division VIII (8), General Sessions Court Dockets and Cases will be held at the Bordeaux North Community Justice Center, which will be in Room 23 of the McGruder Family Resource Center, located at 2013 25th Avenue North; Nashville, Tennessee 37208. The C.A.R.E. (Creating Avenues for Restoration & Empowerment) Diversionary Court for Ages 18-30 will also launch using this space.
“We are thrilled to have the Music City Community Court at McGruder Family Resource Center,” said Alisha Haddock, Center Director. “Community members will now be able to find justice in their community. It is more to a person than their mistakes and this court will look at the whole person. The McGruder Center is skilled in meeting people where they are, providing the community with a one-stop-shop for resources and services that assist individuals and families.”
The Official Courtroom Dedication, Open House, and Guided Tour will be on MLK Day, Monday, January 20, 2020, at 1:30 pm. For more information please visit:
https://gscourt.nashville.gov/about-us/judges/division-viii-judge-rachel-l-bell/
The next Expungement Clinic, Indigency Docket & Resource Fair in Conjunction with Howard Gentry, Criminal Court Clerk, will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019, hosted by Nehemiah Missionary Baptist Church at the Andrew Jackson Boys & Girls Club located at 916 16th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37208. No walk-Ins and limited to the first 100 registrants. Pre- Registration is required- no walk-ins!! Registration is now open by visiting: https://gscourt.nashville.gov/about-us/judges/division-viii-judge-rachel-l-bell/
