Court watching is a transformative tool in our broader campaign toward abolition and justice.  Our program focuses on building evidence to end pretrial detention and the cash bail system that disproportionately harms BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members through systematic observation of court proceedings. We plan to focus on arraignment court to collect data that will reveal any overt or implicit bias in the bail-setting process and look for accountability in using WA CrR/CrRLJ 3.2 and the bail affordability mandate. 

NCBF’s overarching campaign aims to abolish cash bail and pretrial detention as steps toward dismantling the prison-industrial complex. Court Watch serves this vision by:

• Collecting data to reveal overt and implicit bias in the bail-setting process

• Monitoring compliance with Washington Court Rule 3.2 (CrR 3.2)and the bail affordability mandate

• Documenting when judicial officers fail to consider a defendant’s ability to pay

• Holding the court system accountable to the legal requirement that pretrial release should be the norm

• Through systematic observation, we build evidence for advocacy, policy change, and community education about the harmful impacts of pretrial detention.

Volunteers will watch court sessions in person or over Zoom and record significant details of each decision made by the judge (such as specific charges, racial background of the person being charged, whether they have a public defender, whether they are homeless), and that data will be moved into a spreadsheet for analysis and eventual publication.

If you are interested in virtual court watching in Seattle Municipal Court or in-person monitoring at another court, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. NCBF will provide training on CrR 3.2, the bail affordability mandate, and documentation procedures. By participating, you directly contribute to our vision of a society where pretrial detention is abolished and systems of accountability prioritize community care.

Join us in building a more just, compassionate, and equitable society where no one’s freedom depends on their ability to pay.