The moment before the court officer called out “All rise!” Kevin Craddock glanced over his shoulder. The 19-year-old wanted to assure himself he was in the right place.
“Sometimes it’s kind of surreal,” Craddock explained later. “I’m an addict, recovering, but an addict. So I’ve been around the legal system a lot, but never like this.”
Comments
Is this the extent of the article? It appears on the home page of today's Globe web site "above the fold" (if there is such a thing on a web site) and yet it is the length of an obituary. The Homeless Court is a fascinating subject, worthy of a Globe Magazine featured article. Very disappointing. Write more!
The justice system as it should be! Bravo to the creators of the Homeless Court and to the Boston Globe for covering this story. In my former job I was in a position to help represent chronically ill homeless patients at the Shattuck Hospital in getting their warrants removed, and found Judge Coffey to be fair but firm. Hopefully the Homeless Court model will spread through out the state. Closing open warrants for petty crimes can make the difference between being housed vs. incarceration or continued homelessness.
Where is the perspective of the Suffolk County DA's Office? They deserve partial credit for their participation in this innovative program.