Get Involved
Court Watch LA organizes volunteers to observe criminal court proceedings and analyzes and reports out their findings in order to transform the public’s understanding of the criminal legal system. Much of what happens within criminal courtroom walls is not recorded and published officially. Without this information, efforts to enforce accountability are limited. By documenting court proceedings, we hope to educate ourselves and others and gather information that we can use to advocate for changes to the criminal legal system.
Since the program’s initiation in July 2019, Court Watch LA has trained over 200 volunteers, who have collectively observed over 800 cases in Los Angeles criminal courts. Through our observation program, we have been able to expose practices by prosecutors and the court system that impose serious burdens on low-income individuals, including the many unhoused people who are regularly tried in the courts for charges directly related to their poverty. In addition, our observers have documented racial disparities and an egregious lack of empathy that some judges and prosecutors have displayed towards people caught in the criminal legal system.
Our project is already achieving its goal of informing the public and transforming our collective understanding of the criminal justice system, and we are growing. Court Watch LA continues to actively train and recruit volunteers, and is establishing more forms of outreach and alliances.
To get involved and be part of this movement, sign up for a training, and come volunteer with us.
Since the program’s initiation in July 2019, Court Watch LA has trained over 200 volunteers, who have collectively observed over 800 cases in Los Angeles criminal courts. Through our observation program, we have been able to expose practices by prosecutors and the court system that impose serious burdens on low-income individuals, including the many unhoused people who are regularly tried in the courts for charges directly related to their poverty. In addition, our observers have documented racial disparities and an egregious lack of empathy that some judges and prosecutors have displayed towards people caught in the criminal legal system.
Our project is already achieving its goal of informing the public and transforming our collective understanding of the criminal justice system, and we are growing. Court Watch LA continues to actively train and recruit volunteers, and is establishing more forms of outreach and alliances.
To get involved and be part of this movement, sign up for a training, and come volunteer with us.
Fall 2020 Internship
Court Watch LA is seeking interns and volunteers for the summer of 2020 to support its ongoing efforts to bring transparency and accountability to criminal courts in Los Angeles County.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include the following:
Responsibilities may involve some travel to courthouses and volunteer training locations across LA County.
Experience and qualifications
Applicants should possess the following:
While not required, the following qualifications are preferred:
To apply, please submit the following:
How to apply:
Please send completed application to courtwatchlosangeles@gmail.com with the subject “Court Watch LA Internship Application.”
We strongly encourage women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.
For those interested in pursuing a full time internship over the summer, Court Watch LA will support applications for law school or other external funding. For students, arrangements can be made for course credit.
Court Watch LA is seeking interns and volunteers for the summer of 2020 to support its ongoing efforts to bring transparency and accountability to criminal courts in Los Angeles County.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include the following:
- Observing court proceedings to record data on prosecution, bail, and sentencing patterns
- Analyzing data, preparing visuals, and drafting reports to communicate key findings
- Drafting social media posts and website content to inform the public of Court Watch LA’s observations and to provide updates on related political and legal matters
- Assisting with volunteer trainings and presentations
- Communicating with Court Watch LA volunteers to collect observation notes, coordinate shifts, and receive feedback
- Supporting the day-to-day logistics of running a volunteer court watch program
Responsibilities may involve some travel to courthouses and volunteer training locations across LA County.
Experience and qualifications
Applicants should possess the following:
- Attention to detail
- Excellent written communication skills
- Demonstrated interest in Court Watch LA’s mission or criminal systems reform/abolition
- Experience with the criminal legal system or working with system-involved individuals
- Ability to work in a team, exercise sound judgment, and work independently
While not required, the following qualifications are preferred:
- Expertise in data analysis, website design, or legal research
To apply, please submit the following:
- Cover letter (must relate to Court Watch LA mission and your relevant experience);
- Resume;
- 2-3 references;
- Optional: College or law school transcript (unofficial transcript acceptable)
How to apply:
Please send completed application to courtwatchlosangeles@gmail.com with the subject “Court Watch LA Internship Application.”
We strongly encourage women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.
For those interested in pursuing a full time internship over the summer, Court Watch LA will support applications for law school or other external funding. For students, arrangements can be made for course credit.
*Let us know if you'd like to get involved in other ways.
If your schedule prevents you from Court Watching as much as you would like to, or you simply would like to get more involved, you can help us outside of court with data analysis, research, trainings, writing, design and logistics.
Email us!
If your schedule prevents you from Court Watching as much as you would like to, or you simply would like to get more involved, you can help us outside of court with data analysis, research, trainings, writing, design and logistics.
Email us!