Update: The deadline by which CARES Act resources must be used was extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
The CARES Act’s $1.5 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund provides aid to local governments navigating the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CARES Act guidance, which is outlined below, makes it clear that Lex Loci’s diversion case management software is a justifiable expense given the impact that COVID-19 has had on courts and law enforcement agencies.
The guidance reads as follows:
The expense is necessary and was incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The expense was not accounted for in the budget that was approved as recently as March 27, 2020.
The expense was incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
Necessary expenditures, the guidance notes, includes any action taken in response to the pandemic. This could include a software purchase that moves government forms online, addresses overcrowding in jails, and eases the burden on court systems and law enforcement.
Here’s how COVID-19 has directly impacted the criminal justice system:
COVID-19 has caused delays in court systems around the country, resulting in a massive backlog of cases and endangering their ability to deliver swift trials. Pre-pandemic, misdemeanors already accounted for 80% of criminal dockets. Implementing a diversion program that keeps low-level offenders out of the criminal justice system can ease the burden on courts.
The pandemic has hastened the transition from paper forms to digital databases. Many existing diversion programs are still reliant on physical referral forms, which are passed from law enforcement to diversion program coordinators and social workers. Lex Loci eliminates the need for paperwork, streamlining the referral process and making it easier for different agencies to work together remotely.
COVID-19 spreads rapidly in prisons and jails, with the incarcerated population’s rate of infection 5x higher than the general population. To reduce the impact of the virus on incarcerated individuals, many jurisdictions are implementing or expanding diversion programs that keep low-level offenders out of jail.
FAQs
How do I apply for funding?
Eligible governments that oversee a population greater than 500,000 were required to apply for funding in April. However, municipalities that did not receive aid directly can submit a proposal for CARES Act funding to their state. States are now responsible for distributing federal funds on a municipal level, and individual procedures for funds distribution may vary.
When do I need to apply?
Municipalities have until the end of 2021 to apply for CARES Act funding, which may be used to cover expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
Can I use CARES Act funding to purchase software?
If your software purchase meets the CARES Act criteria, absolutely.