The Abolitionist Law Center launched its Court Watch program in early 2020, to monitor criminal court proceedings in Allegheny County. Court Watch is committed to transformative, racial justice by keeping the courts accountable through observation, data collection, and public reporting.
Court Watch recruits, trains, and organizes volunteers to attend hearings and document their observations. Data collected by court watchers is paired with other information and used to agitate for systemic changes to court-related policies and practices.
Currently, Court Watch prioritizes youth proceedings (including Interest of Justice hearings and Decertification motions), Preliminary Arraignments and Motions Court.
Court Watch also organizes other forms of support for people facing court appearances and incarceration at Allegheny County Jail (and their loved ones), including court packing, a participatory defense hub, and more.
📰 OUR BLOG
Weekly articles that expose the violence of local courts, jails, and policing – and illuminate the voices of resistance and resiliency.
✊🏿 OUR MISSION
We say no to judiciary violence. And yes to the long overdue alternatives that uplift our communities.
📣 GET INVOLVED
Help grow our volunteer base through observation, data collection & analysis, research, and editorial writing.
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