NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER INCORPORATED

WHAT NJC'S CLIENTS ARE SAYING:

“At times words are not enough to express your gratitude to someone but, I wanted you to know that I am extremely grateful…. Thank you again for all your hard work, it has been truly appreciated and will always be remembered. I wish you and the Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc. continued success and prosperity.” – Mia

“If I had money to give you I would, you deserve it. Thank you for everything.” -Robert

“Without NJC’s help I was facing time in jail, I wouldn’t have wanted another attorney” –Patricia

“I just wanted to say thank you for your emotional support and legal advice during such a difficult time.” - Joseph

“With just short notice you supplied me with legal assistance that I am very grateful for. You were able to get my case dismissed, also making me very happy.” - Scott

“I have to say that you helped me a lot. You have played a big part in the results of my life and I will never forget you for that. It has helped me to remember that I have a lot of support and that I have to make it through this. I have to make this time into a positive turn around for myself and for the people who are supporting me. Thank you for helping me remember that and thanks for the good luck, I will need it. I will choose to follow a positive endeavor and it will make my father proud. I have to take this second chance out of life.” - Aramis

“Everything went great, the court understood both sides and made a fair ruling. I am very grateful. Thank you, god speed.” - Bernadette

“Thank you for taking my case and for all your hard work. You always answered my questions and helped me to understand the process. – Paul

“Thank you for coming to Women’s Advocates again. Your knowledge is so useful to us and the women that we serve. Thank you!” – Community Outreach speaking event at women’s domestic abuse shelter

“I cannot thank you enough for all your help that you provided for me. Thank you for being so kind and understanding.” - Eliel

“My attorney was very effective and helpful.” – James

“Thank you for all your time and effort and thanks to the Neighborhood Justice Center” –Kenny

“The attorney explained everything in words my foster son could understand.” – Vicky

“Thank you to all who worked on my son’s case, if it wasn’t for the team of great people at the Neighborhood Justice Center, I would not know where to go and ask for help.” – Jerrie

Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc. (NJC) is a non-profit, community-based law office which provides comprehensive and high-quality criminal defense services to assist low-income persons, largely persons of color, in receiving fair treatment in the legal system as well as achieving equitable outcomes and helping prevent future legal problems. Founded in 1973 by concerned local judges, lawyers and members of the Black and American Indian communities of St. Paul, the Neighborhood Justice Center’s regional focus is primarily in Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties. Why is the Neighborhood Justice Center important to my community? According to the Human Rights Watch Organization’s report entitled “Punishment and Prejudice: Racial Disparities in the War on Drugs” dated May, 2000, “Minnesota has by far the highest disparity [in incarceration rates] - blacks in that state are incarcerated at 23 times the rate of whites.” Furthermore, according to “Developments in the Law: Race and the Criminal Process: IV. Race and the Prosecutor's Charging Decision,” 101 Harvard Law Review 1520, 1525-29 (1988), National studies of all types of crime suggest that prosecutors are more likely to pursue full prosecution, file more severe charges, and seek more stringent penalties in cases involving minority defendants than in cases involving white defendants. The Neighborhood Justice Center strives to lower that disparity and combat the social problem by reaching out to communities of color. In the last year, NJC’s legal clients were seventy percent (70%) minorities. How will my contribution be used? Your tax-deductible donation to the Neighborhood Justice Center helps to assure the continued high-quality criminal defense representation of clients in need. Your donation will be used to fund NJC’s current programs which are as follows: Legal Representation & Advice: Neighborhood Justice Center provides assistance to disadvantaged and undeserved persons who face criminal charges and need extended legal representation, brief service and/or advice only to obtain the best possible outcome. The project seeks to serve populations who are targeted by law enforcement and not always treated equally under the law. Many of the clients represented also face immigration consequences because defendants increasingly are refugees or immigrants with charges against them that could result in deportation proceedings. Staff look beyond the immediate legal problems to serve the whole person, helping to arrange such services as chemical dependency or mental health treatment. Bilingual, multicultural community advocates fill paralegal and research needs, serve as liaisons between clients and the court system, and help educate clients to avoid future problems. Education for Low Income Refugees, Immigrants, and Juveniles: Our educational programs focus on serving low income persons, refugees and immigrants from various cultures. Over the years we have found that immigrants and refugees have limited understanding of the criminal justice system to due cultural and language barriers. The program seeks to clarify what constitutes illegal behavior in the United States and how to avoid criminal behavior when dealing with law enforcement. Our education program for juveniles focuses on helping juvenile persons avoid illegal behavior and encourage positive interaction with law enforcement. We partner with schools, and other human service programs to help low income juveniles of color increase their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and how to avoid criminal behavior. Expungements: Increasingly it is becoming more difficult for persons with a prior criminal record, who are now, and have been for several years, law abiding citizens to obtain housing and employment. Our expungement program seeks to limit this harm by assisting persons with a prior criminal record in getting that record sealed by the court through its tedious expungement process. In the past year, NJC handled over 970 case units through legal representation; as well as over 1300 persons on an advice-only basis; and reached over 300 people through education programs. By donating to the Neighborhood Justice Center you can be sure that you are contributing to the organization’s quality representation, pro-justice and anti-crime mission.