Moon V.
Going into Court Watch, I had no idea what to expect as I have little to no experience with courts. At first I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to handle it very well, but after watching several cases, I noticed a pattern with the judges I had observed. Judges each have different attitudes when it comes to the treatment of the defendants — some take their time and others rush through the process of ruling on their cases. This didn’t discourage me, instead it opened my eyes to a not so straightforward justice system. Shining a light on the problems with the court system helps us develop solutions so that every defendant is judged and tried properly without bias, especially when a judge either wants to abide by their time or rush through to continue along with their day, thinking the defendants are nothing more than numbers in their quotas.
Two of the judges that I observed seemingly took their time, but still rushed through a few cases. While some of the cases took a little longer than others, the judge made sure that all necessary evidence was provided and that each defendant was made aware of their rights. With these two judges I did not observe any form of bias or belittling. One had a friendlier approach, asking the defendant how their day was going and maintained a positive demeanor. The other had a cordial approach — not too friendly, but not too stern either. When it came to fines, these judges made sure to consider the defendant’s ability to pay and gave them ample time and resources to be able to make the payments so that they don’t face additional challenges in the future. Overall, the experience with these two judges gave me a more positive attitude with the history of our justice system. I couldn’t help but feel nervous about whether the judges would be fair or just send people away for even small infractions.
Sadly, not all judges were as professional. There was one judge that made me feel uncomfortable whenever they were in the room. This particular judge rushed through the trials, speedily telling the defendants their rights and talking down to people. I observed that defendants were often asked what their jobs were, and in one particular case, the defendant replied that their job was poetry, to which the judge retorted, “That doesn’t pay the bills now does it?” In another incident, a defendant (who appeared Latino) was facing a reckless driving charge. They tried to appeal and mentioned having anxiety, as well as providing evidence supporting their innocence. The judge was very rude and interrupted the defendant, even going so far as to say, “You have no respect for the law; and no love for the police.” I saw the defendant sit back on the benches, palms on their face, looking very defeated. A person with no previous record being reprimanded like that seemed unfair. Within the day, two other defendants had very serious criminal records with multiple felonies and misdemeanors going as far back as the 1990s. Both of these defendants appeared to be white,and when brought before the judge, they did not experience demeaning talk from the judge, unlike the Latino appearing defendant.
This particular judge rushed through the trials, speedily telling the defendants their rights and talking down to people. I observed that defendants were often asked what their jobs were, and in one particular case, the defendant replied that their job was poetry, to which the judge retorted, “That doesn’t pay the bills now does it?”
It’s not easy to sit in a courthouse for a couple of hours and see people berated for something as small as an infraction, but this experience has helped me see more of the world for what it really is. Because if we all tried to hide away from systemic problems, pretending they’re not there, then how will we find solutions? I am grateful for this experience because with the data collected we will be able to come up with solutions to address issues with the court system. Court watch helps expose which judges treat people with dignity and those who would rather abuse their power. After all the saying goes: “Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
Gabby K.
I was eager to witness our judicial system in action and better understand how justice is served in Los Angeles County. While the experience proved invaluable in many ways, it also revealed some concerning operational issues that affect both court efficiency and public access to justice. The opportunity to observe real court proceedings provided insight into how our legal system functions. Watching attorneys present their cases, hearing judges make rulings, and observing the various interactions between court staff, lawyers, defendants, families of the defendants, and members of the public gave me a newfound appreciation for the complexity of our judicial process. The experience helped me better understand court proceedings and showed me how legal principles I’d only read about are applied in practice.
However, I couldn’t help but notice significant systemic challenges that seemed to disrupt the flow of the court’s daily operations. The most glaring issue was the consistent problem with punctuality. The scheduled start times for court sessions did not seem to be treated as firm commitments. The judges’ late arrivals became a predictable pattern, with delays sometimes stretching to two hours beyond the posted start time. Even more concerning were the multiple instances where court staff presented the wrong case information to the wrong defendant. These mix-ups created confusion, wasted valuable court time, and worst case scenario, could have led to serious miscarriages of justice if not caught and corrected. Such administrative errors highlighted a troubling lack of attention to detail in a system where accuracy should be more important than anything else. These delays and mix-ups had real consequences. Defendants, witnesses, and attorneys would crowd the hallway, waiting for proceedings to begin. Besides these operational issues, my court watching experience was enlightening. It spotlighted both the strengths of our judicial system and the areas that desperately need improvement. The dedication of many court staff members shone through, even as they worked within a seemingly disorganized system. The experience reinforced the importance of public oversight and transparency in our courts, while also revealing how administrative inefficiencies can impact access to justice.
The judges’ late arrivals became a predictable pattern, with delays sometimes stretching to two hours beyond the posted start time. Even more concerning were the multiple instances where court staff presented the wrong case information to the wrong defendant.
Moving forward, I believe there’s a clear need for better court management and scheduling practices. Simple changes, like better communication about delays/scheduling and better case management systems to prevent mix-ups could improve the experience for everyone involved. While my time as a court watcher showed me the vital role our courts play in maintaining justice, it also displayed that even our most important institutions can benefit from constructive criticism and reform.
Leslie R.
Over the course of six weeks, I had the privilege of working with Court Watch LA, a program dedicated to promoting accountability and fairness in the judicial system. As part of their mission, I attended court sessions to observe cases and take detailed notes on the conduct of judges and the overall atmosphere of the courthouse. Although it could be intimidating, focusing on the mission and purpose really helped me become passionate while observing. I found myself intrigued and wanting to possibly pursue a different career related to this work.
Walking into a courtroom for the first time was both intimidating and eye-opening. I quickly learned that a courthouse is more than just a place where legal disputes are resolved. It is almost like a stage where justice is or is not served. I observed a range of reactions while sitting in court. Tears of joy, sadness, and disappointment – all valid. Court Watch LA made me feel safe and heard. My main focus was to observe how judges interacted with defendants, particularly those from marginalized communities. Were they treated with dignity and respect? Were any of the judges biased in the language or decisions of the court? I observed a spectrum of treatment, which is why it is very important for programs like this one to be involved and educate the public.
As someone who has experienced the court system with my family, it was very important for me to be a part of this program. Many times, sitting in the courthouse, I would feel empathy for defendants who were struggling. Many struggle with addiction, they have financial issues, or they are minorities being thrown into the system because of their status. Unfortunately, there were too many cases where the defendant mentions they are homeless or struggling with money. I saw cases where people are in custody for stealing food or drinks. There was a case where a man was brought in because he stole a can of soda from the gas station. The crime was not harmful and only shows that the man could have been struggling financially. Cases like these are tough to watch knowing that the economy is affecting many people.
Unfortunately, there were too many cases where the defendant mentions they are homeless or struggling with money. I saw cases where people are in custody for stealing food or drinks.
This experience helped me better understand the challenges people face when dealing with the court system. I saw moments where judges showed kindness, but I also saw times when defendants were treated more like case numbers than real people. Most of the time the judge would avoid eye contact. When asking questions to the defendant they would not look over to them. Many times the judge was unable to hear the defendant and instead of asking again they would just move on. It was very quick and some did not seem to care about people’s struggles such as homelessness and providing for family. It made me realize how important programs like Court Watch LA are to ensuring the system is fair and keeping them accountable. Being part of this group was a great reminder of the important role that community members can play in advocating for transparency and equity. Overall, I want to point out that it is not only about watching these cases, but also about raising awareness and contributing to change — that is what I enjoyed and loved the most about working with Court Watch LA. My time with Court Watch LA was not just another class or another project, I took it as a call to action for a more fair and just system.
