Building and Preserving Latino Culture in our Community

Nuevas Rutas/New Routes

The New Routes Program Is a culturally specific program for Hispanics, financed by Dane County to work in the following areas:

  • Prevent incarceration, or reduce the sentence time
  • Reduce and prevent the issuing of bench warrants
  • Work with the various entities of the criminal justice system and the social service network to facilitate the legal process
  • Assist offenders in paying for their crimes in ways that help the community (for example, with community service work as part of the sentence)

The program exists to alleviate the frustrations that Spanish speakers have when they are unable to understand the legal process.

New Routes offers assistance — to those who qualify — with their court appearances, conferences with the District Attorney, or with any other aspect of the criminal justice system.

The program coordinator will provide assistance throughout the legal process to ensure that your case will be closed in a manner that will be beneficial to you and the community.

HISPANIC OFFENDERS THAT QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM

  • Cases related to drugs or alcohol
  • Criminal traffic cases
  • Domestic/family violence cases
  • First-time offenders
  • Misdemeanors
  • Felonies, at the coordinator's discretion

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW ROUTES

  • Referral by the court
  • Referral by the District Attorney (D.A.)
  • Direct enrollment by the program coordinator while you are in jail
  • Referral by the Sheriff
  • Eligibility as determined by the New Routes program coordinator

SPECIFIC SERVICES

  • Referral to social service agencies/programs that can help resolve the case(s)
  • Assistance during the time that the offender is involved in the criminal justice system to ensure: compliance with conditions of bail, attendance at all court dates, and the successful completion of any legal agreements
  • Referral to (bilingual) lawyers
  • Communication with the various entities of the criminal justice system
  • Guidance in identifying the factors or personal issues that are causing the legal problems
  • Job placement to ensure that the offender is able to fulfill his/her responsibilities (personal, familial) while within the criminal justice system
  • Communication with prior offenders (especially during probation) to prevent further criminal activity
  • Evaluation of clients' financial status to determine need for further assistance/referral

GENERAL SERVICES OF THE PROGRAM

  • Initial intake and interview
  • Evaluation
  • Formation of an individualized plan of action to meet the needs of the community and of the offender
  • Case administration
  • Job search assistance
  • Referral to academic programs and institutions, as well as to English classes

EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS OF NEW ROUTES

  • Crime prevention presentations given in the Latino community on current issues
  • Presentations to junior high and high school students on the consequences of criminal behavior
  • Groups affiliated with Centro Hispano and New Routes will provide information and referral to the program and its services