Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCC) Resource Hub
Counties leading the way in advancing their administration of criminal justice generally have one common denominator—a formalized body to provide input and direction to county decision makers for the improvement of their criminal legal system. Often these are referred to as a criminal justice coordinating council (“CJCC”). NACo's CJCC resource hub provides valuable information for counties working toward developing their own CJCC or looking to strengthen an existing CJCC.
This hub was developed in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Association.
Resource
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Enhancing Your County's Justice System
Whether you're looking to create a CJCC from scratch or enhance an existing one, discover the invaluable insights needed to make your county's justice system more efficient, fair and just.
Unlock the Power of CJCCs: Responsive Policies Through Community Engagement
In this webinar, NACo explores how ongoing and consistent community engagement enhances the impact of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) and how these bodies can serve as effective tools for county leaders to actively involve their residents. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to create a more responsive and inclusive criminal legal system.
Unlock the Power of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils: Enhance Your County's Justice System
Balancing public safety with innovative and cost-effective policies and programs can reduce over-reliance on jails and other aspects of the local justice system when alternative options may prove to be a better response.
Partner Resources
National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Developed by the National Institute of Corrections, the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils is a comprehensive framework for the formation and ongoing management of criminal justice coordinating councils (CJCCs). These standards represent the accumulation of practical knowledge on CJCCs, and they outline practices and protocols deemed highly effective in operating a high-functioning council.
Guidelines for Developing a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
This document provides guidelines for establishing a local criminal justice coordinating committee (CJCC). It describes CJCCs and provides specific guidance for their development and operation.
CJCC Essential Elements: A Companion to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This companion publication to the National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils describes each essential element and key factors that indicate the presence of the element. This publication provides a checklist for CJCCs, along with a CJCC essential elements assessment tool. Both the checklist and the essential elements assessment tool are designed to assist jurisdictions seeking to form a CJCC, by providing a framework of effective practices. For jurisdictions with an existing CJCC, the essential elements assessment tool serves as an instrument for assessing the health and effectiveness of their council.
CJCC Document Examples and Templates
This National Institute of Corrections webpage links to examples and templates of key CJCC documents including bylaws, charters, meeting agendas and memorandums of understanding.
National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Administered by the Justice Management Institute (JMI), the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) empowers CJCCs to drive positive change through knowledge sharing, advocacy and innovation. It advocates for CJCC directors leading systemic initiatives and serves as a resource for jurisdictions looking to establish or sustain an effective CJCC.
National Survey of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
This publication presents findings from a national survey of criminal justice coordinating council (CJCC) directors and members. It is one of a series of publications aimed at enhancing the literature about CJCCs and highlighting their purpose and value in shaping local justice systems.
County Countdown – June 30, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the Senate reconciliation debate, transparency on sanctuary designations and more.
DHS releases list identifying sanctuary jurisdictions; includes nearly 400 counties
NACo, along with the National League of Cities, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association, requested additional clarification on the methodology used to create the list, and noted concerns around the legal challenges that localities face when complying with ICE detainers. As of this time, NACo has yet to hear of a county receiving a formal notification that they were included on the list.
U.S. House of Representatives introduces legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for behavioral health treatment facilities
On June 20, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act in the U.S. House of Representative. This bill aims to improve access to behavioral health care nationwide by removing long-standing Medicaid funding restrictions for behavioral health treatment in certain facilities, providing new flexibility for states and counties to meet growing behavioral health needs.
NACo Legal Advocacy: City of Buffalo et al. v. Kia/Hyundai
The question at hand in City of Seattle et al. v. Kia/Hyundai is whether or not the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard preempts state tort claims brought forth by local governments alleging that Kia and Hyundai’s failure to install “reasonable” anti-theft technology constitutes negligence and public nuisance.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Perttu v. Richards
Perttu v. Richards has implications on the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) and could increase the amount of Section 1983 inmate-initiated cases against county jails that reach federal court, ultimately resulting in counties having to expend resources on frivolous lawsuits.
Ramsey County, Minn. cuts juvenile justice admissions with assessment tool
The county's Risk Assessment Index focuses on the critical window between arrest and first court appearance.
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