SJC Exchange Library

Thousands of Americans miss court dates every year, a problem that snowballs both for courts (who have to spend resources following up with users) and for people interacting with them (who risk steeper fines, arrest, and sometimes jail time). Working with Harris County, Texas, ideas42 interviewed people with court cases (“court users”) to identify the structural and behavioral barriers holding people back from appearing, and recommended ways to make it easier for people to follow through on their legal obligations.