Fifty beachgoers who received certain non-traffic infraction tickets between June 23 and July 4 avoided convictions and fines through a program called Instant Justice. As in past years, many persons cited for open alcohol containers, consuming alcohol in public, glass containers, littering, dogs off leash, or smoking in the park in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, La Jolla and Clairemont through July 4 were given an opportunity to complete five hours of community work service in the beach area and avoid their citations being filed.
The annual Instant Justice program has been a highly successful effort of the City Attorney’s Neighborhood Justice Unit and Collaborative Courts Unit and partners at the San Diego Police Department’s Northern Division, Discover Pacific Beach, San Diego’s Department of Park and Recreation, and the San Diego Lifeguard Service.
Last year, 34 offenders completed over 170 hours of community work service such as cleaning up the beaches and surrounding areas hit hardest from the holiday crowds. This year on July 5, Instant Justice had 50 participants who worked for 250 hours, restoring our parks, beaches, streets and alleys. They avoided a conviction on their records and what is typically a minimum fine of $200.
“This is a win-win program. Instant Justice gives tourists and locals alike who commit a minor offense over the 4th of July holiday a second chance,” said City Attorney Mara Elliott. “Instead of traveling back to San Diego to face court and fines, they were afforded an opportunity to give back to our community and avoid a criminal charge on their records.”
The City Attorney’s Neighborhood Justice Unit is involved in several alternative sentencing programs and community courts. In the alternative courts, offenders give back to the community in which they have committed certain crimes. Alternative sentencing programs are aimed at intervention, diversion, reducing recidivism and restoring the community.