Toledo Municipal Court - Judges Division

MEDIA UPDATE February 12, 2025 Toledo Municipal Court ? TOLEDO MUNICIPAL COURT ANNOUNCES STUDY OF CUTTING-EDGE DIVERSION PROGRAM The Toledo Municipal Court is pleased to announce it is partnering with the Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School to conduct a randomized control study of the Court’s Community Diversion Program.?This randomized control study, supported by Arnold Ventures, is considered the gold standard in empirical research.?The Court’s diversion program, launched in 2018, is grounded in procedural fairness.?It is intended to disrupt contact with the criminal justice system for persistent low-level offenders. The Court created the diversion program curriculum with the expertise of the Center for Justice Innovation, as part of Lucas County’s Safety + Justice Challenge grant from the MacArthur Foundation.?The study will follow participants for two years and will study the impact of the program on recidivism, employment, mental and physical health, and housing security.?This week, the Court conducted a demonstration diversion class for community stakeholders.?In addition, Renee L. Danser, Access to Justice Lab Associate Director of Research and Strategic Partnership presented an overview of the study to Toledo City Council’s Sub-Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform.?Toledo Municipal Court Judge Timothy C. Kuhlman noted, “This program could represent an innovative approach to disrupting frequent, low-level contact with the criminal justice system.?Its cost-effectiveness makes it accessible to jurisdictions around the country.”?The study is scheduled to launch in March.?The Access to Justice Lab has hired local staff to coordinate the study. -30- Contact: Lisa Falgiano, Court Administrator Toledo Municipal Court 419-245-1949 [email protected]

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