Court Watch

CourtWatch is the only formal program of its kind in the state of Colorado. Its primary purpose is to:

• Observe courtroom procedures;
• Identify and recognze best practices and confrontation of inequities regarding victims of crime.

While an attorney will serve the best interests of their client, CourtWatch:

• Affords a broad view of a courtrooms climate so that recommendations can be made for improvements;
• Takes into consideration the needs and best interests of all the victims who come before the court on issues related to domestic violence.
  • Domestic violence cases tend to cross between civil and criminal actions making it essential that the courts are careful to ensure these cases do not receive less than adequate consideration.
  • The victims deserve to have confidence in the system that they must rely on for protection.

Project Safeguard advocates saw more than 10,000 women in court in 2004 and upwards of 75% of those women represented themselves.

If a questionable situation or trend is identified, the CourtWatch coordinator:

• Conducts research to determine the scope of the problem;
• Methods used to resolve similar problems in other jurisdictions;
• Adjudication records of the particular judge;
• Political climate of the courtroom/jurisdiction; and
• Specifics of the cases involved-appropriateness.

It is this careful preparation that allows the CourtWatch coordinator to successfully approach and dialog with a judge, court administrator or clerk regarding the identified trend and Project Safeguard's opportunity to affect the treatment of victims in court.

The CourtWatch coordinator:

• Is established in the Adams, Aurora, Denver and Jefferson County courts;
• Has established a dialog with the judges and magistrates who handle cases involving domestic violence;
• Is conducting extensive research currently in Jefferson County and will move to Arapahoe County;
• Maintains a working relationship with Safehouse Denver to co-facilitate forums where the judges participate in discussion regarding legal decisions and protocol within their courtrooms;
• Functions on multi-disciplinary teams; and
• Develops articles for the Project Safeguard publications.

Note: An extensive rollcall training with Denver Police is in its final stages and plans are being made to replicate this program with Aurora Police.

Click here to download the latest CourtWatch newsletter.