WATCH is a volunteer-based court monitoring organization dedicated to improving the justice system. WATCH strives to change both societal attitudes about crimes against women and children and the systems that address them. We strive for long-term, substantive changes that contribute to greater offender accountability and enhanced victim safety, with the ultimate goal of preventing violence.

Court monitoring programs give citizens access to the courts. Monitoring enables interested individuals to observe and learn how the criminal justice system works and makes the criminal justice system more accountable to the community it serves. Court monitoring provides an organized forum for ongoing and productive dialogue between citizens, the judiciary and other members of the criminal justice system.

WATCH was created in 1992 as a community response to the growing number of news reports of a lax, revolving-door justice system that failed to respond seriously to crimes of violence against women and children. The brutal sexual assault and murder of a young Minneapolis woman by a recently paroled sex offender with an extensive criminal history was the catalyst for a group of concerned citizens to create WATCH. Trained volunteers first entered the Hennepin County courtrooms in March 1993 and have been a regular presence ever since.

WATCH trains volunteers to monitor domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual assault cases as they move through the criminal justice system in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Court monitors, recognized by their red clipboards, provide a public presence in the courtroom and note objectively observable behaviors by justice system personnel. WATCH volunteers are concerned, civic-minded people from a wide variety of backgrounds who receive training in criminal and civil court procedures.

WATCH volunteer court monitors provide a consistent public presence in the courtroom, and observe and collect data on more than 3,500 appearances each year. WATCH uses this information to identify troublesome patterns such as victim safety concerns being minimized, chronic offenders going through the system without serious consequences, high risk offenders being released without bail, and other symptoms of system failure. WATCH then undertakes further investigation and research into these problems. WATCH issues research reports, such as the 2004 OFP Report, and also publishes results in the quarterly newsletter WATCH Post.

WATCH utilizes Chronic Offender Chronologies to highlight problems with the justice system's handling of offenders who exhibit alarming and escalating violent behavior. Chronologies are published in the quarterly newsletter to bring attention to critical domestic abuse and sexual assault issues in the criminal justice system.

In addition to reports, WATCH addresses concerns with the individuals involved by communicating directly with court personnel regarding our observations. Further, WATCH participates in key organizations and committees such as the Fourth Judicial District Family Violence Coordinating Council, giving a public face and voice to our concerns, and providing an essential opportunity to work collaboratively for change. During judicial election years, WATCH cosponsors a public forum for candidates for election the the Hennepin County district court.

After twelve years, the work of WATCH is not done. Systems change only works as a result of coordinated, concerted efforts over time. WATCH's presence continues to prod the justice system toward greater accountability for victim safety. WATCH works on multiple fronts, in partnership with systems professionals and community advocates, to influence the courts to close the safety gaps for women and children who experience violence.

The criminal justice system must be held accountable for how it resolves criminal cases and for the outcomes of its proceedings. Although it is the role of the judicial system to act swiftly, firmly and consistently to reinforce the message that violence will not be tolerated, the system frequently fails to do so. Systems that are unmonitored and unaudited will often tend to accommodate their own conveniences. The presence of observers in the courtroom can promote accountability and serve as a strong reminder that the public has a vested interest in what happens there.

WATCH has earned credibility and leverage with the justice system because of our constructive relationship with its members. Since its inception, it has been a priority of WATCH to maintain an open dialogue with the justice system. WATCH also works in partnership with many organizations that provide direct services and advocacy for victims of abuse and assault.

Advocates, prosecutors, and judges tell us that our presence makes a difference, and that our research and reporting prompts change. WATCH was recognized for its achievements with the 1999 Gloria Steinem Women of Vision Award from the Ms. Foundation and is among 50 innovative programs featured in 50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes, a 2002 guide from the National Crime Prevention Council.  In 2004 WATCH was recognized by the Minnesota Women's Consortium as an exemplary organization working for justice and received a Community Leadership award from the Hennepin County Attorney's office.

WATCH was instrumental in the funding, formation and direction of the Hennepin County Domestic Fatality Review Project.  The fatality review board is an independent group of representatives from the criminal justice system and medical, mental health, and advocacy groups. It meets regularly to examine cases involving deaths from domestic violence and has issued two reports: A Matter of Life and Death: Findings of the Hennepin County Domestic Fatality Review Pilot Project 2002; and Domestic Fatality Review Team 2004 Report: A Matter of Life and Death.

WATCH maintains contact with court monitoring programs across the U. S. and in other countries. We provide technical assistance and training to new and existing court monitoring programs, and strive to promote court monitoring as an effective tool for improving the justice system. WATCH is in the process of evaluating and revising Developing a Court Monitoring Program its start-up manual for groups wanting to establish a similar program.

To order, download the brochure and complete the Order Form.

For more information on the start-up manual or for technical assistance, contact us at watch@watchmn.org or 612-341-2747.