Don’t be intimated by the pursuit for data. This isn’t a job for mathematicians or analysts.
It’s for everybody. Because whether or not the system treats us fairly shouldn’t be a mystery we accept.
Why Your Wrist Isn’t Too Weak for Court Watching
You don’t have to compare groups with mathematical precision to know that a judge is behaving badly and call it out.
Consider Clutch; I’ve essentially turned court watching, digital court watching even, into an art. I have, without compensation, done the analysis and observations entirely free and brought misconduct to the forefront. No fancy mathematical analysis necessary.
All it takes is an eye for spotting irregularities and a sense that something is wrong.
1. Court watching is about patterns, not stats.
Witnessing hundreds of hearings gives us a sense of who gets bail, who gets buried under fees, and who gets brushed off. That’s not data science—that’s civic muscle.
2. Courts aren’t private clubs—they’re public.
Judges make millions of decisions every day behind closed but public doors. If you don’t watch, who will?
3. You don’t need jargon—it’s about empathy.
You’re not scoring a chart. You’re noticing if defendants of color get harsher treatment, whether public defenders are treated like second-class citizens, or if judges even look up when people speak. And sometimes, you’re noticing if judges are just outright jerks (and sometimes, they are).
How to Start Watching Courts—No Experience Needed
Watch for 30 minutes. Observe one docket, legal aid case, or arraignment. Just be a witness. Note what you see. Bail amounts, legal representation, mentions of race or economic hardship. Doesn’t have to be perfect. It matters. Share what you observe.
Kalamazoo Defender and NowKalamazoo are counting on volunteers to keep this going.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
When civic oversight stops, accountability follows the same train. Letting courts act unseen won’t fix inequity; they’ll breed it deeper. People of color, the indigent, those shunted into plea deals—they need everyday watchers to shine light where it’s kept dark.
Remember Judge Santoni giving a sweetheart deal to Former Portage City Manager Michael Carroll? All I did was look at court records, news pieces, look-up the law, and FOIA some stuff.
Sometimes, noticing the spade, and then calling it what it is, is more than enough.
Volunteer to Be a Court Watcher.
Ready to start your court watching journey? Contact info@kalamazoodefender.org to get started.
Court watching doesn’t require a legend, a law degree, or arcane metrics.
It just needs you.
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