Working Towards Restorative Justice
By Talia Traskos-Hart '25
Providing resources, education, and support programs and services as effective alternatives to incarceration
This summer, I worked at the Midtown Community Justice Center (one of the country’s first community courts), assisting with restorative justice work for justice-involved individuals charged with misdemeanors and low-level felonies in Manhattan. The Center for Justice Innovation works to create a more humane justice system and reduce the cruelty and intensity of criminal punishment.
At CJI I…
- Led arts workshops that allowed individuals charged with misdemeanors and low-level felonies to have their cases declined to be prosecuted.
- Wrote dozens of legal memos and collaborated with the District Attorney’s Office, public defenders, and judge to ensure fairness.
- Took on caseload of 10 justice impacted individuals.
After working hands-on in the courtroom, I feel more prepared to go to law school!
Internship funded by the Preston Public Interest Career Fund.