Civil Summons Enforcement Project

Background

In 2016, New York City enacted the Criminal Justice Reform Act, shifting enforcement of common low-level offenses from the criminal system to the civil system to reduce the long-term consequences of minor violations. Civil summonses typically result in fines rather than criminal penalties, yet little is known about how this enforcement tool is used across the city.

Purpose

This project examines the nature, prevalence, and patterns of civil summons enforcement in New York City from 2010 to 2022. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes administrative data to understand how civil summonses are issued, where enforcement occurs, and which communities are most affected.

Outcome

By providing systematic evidence on civil summons enforcement, this research sheds light on the equity and practical consequences of civil enforcement policies. The findings can inform policymakers, advocates, and the public about the role of civil summonses in post-reform policing and support more fair and effective approaches to low-level offense enforcement.