About us

What is Court Watch?

Court Watch is a community based project that seeks to shift the power dynamics in courtrooms by exposing the decisions judges and prosecutors make about our neighbors. We Court Watch for 3 primary reasons:

1. To learn what forms of support our neighbors might need while caught up in this system (ie. bond support, access to transportation, housing assistance, etc.)

2. To instill a sense of accountability within the judges and attorneys as they know concerned citizens are watching them

3. To become more knowledgeable about the court system overall, and to share that information with other community members

We envision a world beyond cages and exclusion--a world built on liberation, transformative relationships, and community systems of accountability. Court Watch is a seemingly small yet incredibly powerful tool that can move us closer to that vision.

Who Organizes LCBF Court Watch?

LCBF Court Watch is organized by volunteers from the team at Louisville Community Bail Fund (LCBF) and Black Live Matter Louisville. Court Watch data is collected, processed, and managed by the LCBF data management team. Sign up to find out more about getting involved with LCBF directly, here.

How does Court Watch work?

Community volunteers attend open court to monitor the cases being heard. During the pandemic, you will view proceedings by streaming video or conference call. When you sign up to be a court watch volunteer, you will get regular emails that list upcoming cases. You can choose which cases you would like to attend. After your court session, report what happened with our online form.

We’re watching Circuit Court Judges: Audra Eckerle (Div 7); A.C. Chauvin (Div 8) and Judith McDonald (Div 9)

We also watch protest related court hearings and community cases support is requested for; check the calendar for dates and times.

What is Group Court Watch?

Group Court Watch option for small community groups, religious social justice groups, social justice organizations, and anyone who is just nervous to start court watching solo! These sessions are 2 hours, the first hour we all sit in the same courtroom to observe followed by a group debrief to ask questions and process what we observed. We do 1 open group watch a month (check our calendar for dates) and we also offer facilitators to help guide existing groups through the process.

Contact us for further information: LCBFcourtwatch@gmail.com

Who are Court Watchers?

Court Watchers are volunteers who show up in court to monitor what’s happening in specific courtrooms and report back with their observations.

What is a Court Watch coordinator?

Coordinators keep a running schedule of times for volunteers to watch that include specific judges we are watching, specific cases we are tracking, or protest arrest cases being heard.

What is a Group Watch Coordinator?

Coordinators take a lead in their group or organization to coordinate group watch sessions and facilitate debriefs with the group.

We are seeking Court Watchers, Court Watch coordinators, and Group Watch coordinators so we can scale the Court Watch program to follow more cases heading into the 2022 electoral cycle. No need to be intimidated by the coordinator role. We will train you!

What is the time commitment for Court Watch?

Court Watchers need to be available at some point during court hours, which are weekdays from 9a to 4p. Many sessions are in the morning at 9a and can last two or three hours. Watchers choose which cases they want to attend based on their availability. One case a month or even one case a quarter is greatly valued!

Coordinators work several hours a week, but can do the coordinating when it best fits their schedule. Coordinators don’t have to attend the court sessions, which are during business hours. Coordinators can do their work on evenings and weekends if they are unavailable during court business hours.