CourtWatch as a Model for something we might do
Description
- a description of court watch
- my experience
- how this might this something like courtwatch could be used by 350
Description
- Who: Sponsored by ACLU or other community organizations. Some paid organizers and the rest volunteers.
- What: Apply pressure on DA's and elected officials with facts.
- Where: There are many CourtWatch projects world wide. Seems like every state. Many countries: Poland, France. Multiple project around the state.
- Why: Mostly focussed on helping poor people get fair treatment in court, which includes people of color and immigrants.
- How: Volunteers collect data by race. Analysis by researchers. Lawyers present findings to DA and press.
My Experience
- About a year ago I signed up for the Bail Fund. They got my name from my Synagogue, Shirat Hiyam. They never called me back. But they did give my name to ACLU's CourtWatch.
- I helped accused say "Judge I do not understand the charges. I want to talk to my lawyer". You get more time. Might get dismissed. Flawed cases.
- Some judges welcomed me. My presence changed things for the better.
- Security guard from Lynn said everyone knew when I was in the building.
- Turned in about 10% of the cases. 40 times.
- Saw first hand how wealth tips the scales of justice. We are wasting money.
- Rollins, globe, changes in cell phones in Lynn.
How we might adapt this
- Collect data on constituencies, new programs and bills passed
- Analyze, compare, present and publish
