In the U.S., court hearings are generally public. This was intended to ensure that justice was administered in the open and with public knowledge. But, most people have never been inside of a courtroom, and their perceptions of what happens in court too often come from television or movies. Court-watching programs ensure scrutiny and evaluation. They serve to highlight the realities of our legal system by recording data, uncovering stories, identifying trends, and highlighting problems. Further, by presenting observations and findings to policymakers and the public, court-watching programs can drive reform. This webinar will look at court-watching programs across the United States, discussing their purpose, organization, and impact.
