District of Columbia to Establish Community Justice Worker Programs After Approval From Court of Appeals
February 24, 2026
By Jennifer Pei, PBI Intern On February 5, 2026, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals filed a court order, authorizing the establishment of a Community Justice Worker (CJW) framework in D.C. This order opens the door to increased innovation in efforts to reduce the justice gap. The Legal Services Corporation reports 92% of Americans do not receive sufficient legal help for their civil issues. By performing certain duties previously limited to legal professionals, CJWs can increase access to legal aid for low-income communities. What are Community Justice Workers? CJWs are not lawyers. Instead, they are community members who volunteer