First, let's address the fact that this is a website for both mediation and court watch efforts.

The reason for that is simply because the court watch efforts are brand new and most of the decisions have not yet been made, not even what the website name will be.  Such decisions will be made by you, our volunteers.

So in the meantime, we are sharing this website.

About our court watch efforts

 What is Court Watch?   Court Watch is a coordinated voice for opening the Courts to the community.   An overall objective is effectively reducing domestic violence in our community.  Court observation programs, called court watches, that focus on domestic violence criminal cases and on domestic Court cases involving domestic violence, have traditionally been the very best way to hold our justice system accountable and to reflect back to them the process from an objective perspective.  We do, however, recognize the need to educate and inform process participants and the public before accountability measures can be implemented.  After some months observing in the Courts, volunteers will step back to review their written observations.

Court Watch volunteers advocate for victims and survivors of domestic abuse by providing information to those in the system – judges, prosecutors, police, private practice attorneys, other advocates – who process domestic violence victims and offenders.  It’s another way to advocate for victims and their families and an important part of public education necessary to raise community awareness about the consequences of domestic violence.  Court Watch findings focus the system’s and the public’s attention on the impact of the District Attorney’s and the judiciary’s decisions on the safety of victims and their children by identifying non-productive patterns of practice in the system.  What happens in the Courtroom has the profoundest impact on the safety and well being of victims of domestic violence and their children.

About our mediation services

Mediation provides an alternative method of resolving problems, and in some situations, without having to go to court.  Through the mediation process, the individuals involved in a dispute work out their own solutions with the help of a mediator.  The mediator does not enforce a decision on the individuals, but helps guide them in reaching a solution.  Since the individuals involved in the dispute play active roles in resolving the program, they usually are comfortable and supportive of the solution.

Successful mediations often result in written agreements that are signed by both individuals in a dispute.  If the parties do not reach a mutually agreeable solution, either or both of the parties may still file a court action if that applies.

Mediation procedures are voluntary, and usually take place in one or more sessions. Mediators usually are either trained, volunteer nonlawyers who reside in the community, or are paid individuals with backgrounds in law, psychology, or counseling.  The mediator's role is to work with both parties in a dispute to identify the issues, reduce misunderstandings, clarify priorities, vent emotions, find points of agreement, explore new areas of compromise and collaboration, and negotiate an agreement. ^top

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Always remain mindful of the fact that "We Shall Overcome"™ all obstacles. This country, our government, courts and police departments all belong to us, the people ~ we control them, they do not control us.

Please eMail us with comments, questions or suggestions!
                                

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