People's Court Watch

Hi all. Just wanted to tell you about (and solicit volunteers for) a program called the People's Court Watch. This program, patterned after one started in Minnesota, and in place on both STX and STT trains volunteers to attend selected activities in the Superior Court with the mission of "provide [ing] constructive recommendations to the criminal justice system to ensure effective and efficient court proceedings, safe and fair treatment of domestic violence and sexual assault victims, and accountability of defendants." We monitor primarily sexual assault and firearms related cases.

I have been a volunteer on STT for 2 weeks, and it has been an enlightening experience. So far, I have been impressed with operation and conduct of the court, and the administrative personnel (if not the lawyers), and have been involved with 2 major murder trials as well as several murder and assault cases. What I thought would be a couple of hours twice a week has turned into quite a bit more due to the shortage of volunteers - HELP!

For info (and to volunteer), contact Ms. Amina Selim on STX at 719-0144. She is new to the job of coordinator, and would be happy to hear from you.

Thanks!

Max