Now more than ever, we need your support.

Will you contribute to our mission this giving season?

Your end of the year contributions support our work to research systemic issues, educate the public about their rights as court users, and advocate for harm-reducing improvements to the legal system.
As a community-driven advocacy organization, we could not do this without the support of our community – you. Your support for fair and effective justice is needed now more than ever.
Click here to learn about the different ways to donate.

Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts is a community-driven advocacy organization using mixed-methods research approaches to interrupt cycles of poverty, mass incarceration, and racial injustice inherent to the legal system.

Our core values are accessibility, accountability, transparency, equity, and community autonomy. We believe in the inherent dignity of all people and have seen firsthand the devastation that the civil and criminal legal systems cause for individuals, families, and entire communities.

In order to reduce the harms created by a legal system that is inequitable, inaccessible, unfair, and inefficient, we conduct collaborative, community-informed research to identify evidence-based solutions to court-based injustices and advocate for their implementation.

RESEARCH + ADVOCACY

Screenshot

Our qualitative and quantitative research initiatives fall into one of three broad program areas: Civil Courts, Criminal Courts, or Civil Liberties & Police Accountability.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

IMG_0963

We have a variety of community engagement opportunities that include policy advocacy, civics education, student mentoring, and more.

COURT-WATCHING

IMG_6527

Volunteers with our Court Observation and Education Program (COEP) helps demystify the judicial process, hold judges accountable, and strengthen our research and advocacy.