The scheme in Salford, Greater Manchester, aims to involve the community more in tackling crime, with JPs going to neighbourhood meetings to talk to locals about crime in their area.
Residents identify areas or facilities which could be cleaned up, refurbished or repaired using offenders to carry out unpaid work orders when they are dealt with at the Magistrates' Court.
This "payback" to the local community is based on a similar scheme pioneered in Red Hook, a poor area of Brooklyn, New York.
Lord Falconer said, "I've heard a lot of good things about what's going on in Salford.
"People involved in the project said they were worried whether this would make a difference.
"People involved in this for over a year, the people doing this on a daily basis, are saying it's worked.
"It is very important the concerns of the community are heard."
But Lord Falconer drew back from any suggestion that victims in the local community should determine what sentences offenders should receive. All those appearing before the court will still be dealt with by JPs.
Liverpool and Salford piloted the scheme, which has now been expanded to 10 other areas. Tweet
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Ive heard it all now the JPs are handing this with kid gloves or should that be rubber gloves?heehheehhe whichever way it will cost at least £100,000heehheeh
Ace Riley do you ever stop sniping. Perhaps if you got of your fat backside and conrtributed to society then you wouldn't have so much to whinge and carp about. My partner is a JP and takes the role very seriously as a way of giving something back to the community.
Perhaps you might consider becoming a magistrate yourself ( its open to all members of the public) or perhaps you enjoy sitting in front of your computer all day trolling through the Evening News site to find another story that you can submit more bitter and twisted views on.
Things in society will only change if people get off their backsides and make it change carping from the sidelines achieves nothing.