Friday, July 18, 2018
Interning for WATCH has given me the opportunity to witness the various types of cases and court appearances in our judicial system. Recently, I sat in during a jury trial of a domestic assault, felony case brought by the state against a male defendant in Hennepin County. The victim, in this case, had been arrested and was in custody on unrelated charges. She was called to testify and appeared in her jail clothes and handcuffs, enraging the Judge. The Judge explained that a victim in jail clothes and handcuffs would not look as credible to a jury who only saw the defendant in nice clothes with no handcuffs. This was especially important considering the defendant was also in custody while going through the trial process, albeit able to dress nicely and have his handcuffs removed before the trial began each day. This decision by the Judge displayed a need for fairness and equality in visual representation for victims and defendants.
This trial clearly exhibited difficulties that can arise in domestic cases. The victim was not the one who had called the police after the alleged abuse. The victim’s sister had called after seeing bruises on the victim’s face, leading to the visit from the police at which time the defendant was arrested. Listening to audio collected from a body camera on one of the arresting officers at the scene, it was apparent that the victim was shaken up and scared, yet she refused to say how she had received her bruises. During the victim’s testimony, she adamantly denied that the defendant had ever abused her and professed her love for him. The prosecution seemed frustrated with the lack of acknowledgment of abuse but had evidence they would later use to further their case.
Phone calls from a jail or prison start with a simple message stating that the call will be recorded and may be used as evidence in any court case and trial. In this case, the defendant had called the victim immediately upon being booked in jail after the incident. These conversations were crucial to the prosecutors case. During these calls, the victim is audibly furious with the defendant, using a much different tone than the one she had used to deny the alleged abuse during witness testimony. The conversations were a revelation in the form of evidence that was contradictory to her testimony. In the calls, the victim makes frequent mention of the alleged assault and accuses the defendant numerous times of being the alleged perpetrator. The defendant calls her vile and awful things and makes reference to the time he would have to serve if he was convicted of these crimes. He blames her for the whole ordeal and frequently attempts to interrupt and control the conversation.
The prosecution used their closing argument to point out the consistencies of alleged domestic abuse offenders to attempt to verbally, physically and psychological control and subdue their victims. The prosecutor pointed to the name calling, commanding demeanor in the phone conversations and bruises on the victim as all evidencing clear signs of domestic abuse. The prosecutor spoke of the dilemma many abuse victims face when they love and care for their abuser and do not want to see them face punishment.
The experience of watching a jury trial concerning domestic abuse was altogether enlightening and frustrating. The case seemed difficult to prosecute without victim testimony, on the stand, alleging abuse. The case may not have held up at all without the jail calls. Despite the complications, the jury had heard and seen enough to warrant a verdict of guilty. Sentencing is tomorrow.
Friday, July 6, 2018
I began my internship with WATCH in May and have had the opportunity to monitor a variety of different courts such as Domestic Violence court, Felony Arraignment court in the jail, and Order For Protection court. One opportunity I was able to take advantage of is the pilot program in Washington County. By monitoring courts in both Hennepin and Washington County, I have noticed how different courts can be run and how efficiency is affected by different organizational strategies. Washington County has a much smaller population and the charges are usually less severe than those in Hennepin County, making the pre-hearing conversations and agreements between attorneys and clients both fewer and shorter. Attorneys from both sides are able to meet with all of the clients, both in and out of custody, before court begins that day. From these conversations, a schedule is made and the order of the hearings is projected on a television screen in the courtroom, alerting defendants and their families who is to be heard next. This speed and efficiency is beneficial to all involved parties. Defendants know when they are to be heard and are not as frustrated by the often confusing and long court process. Their families know when they will be heard and can plan their days accordingly. Attorneys and the judge can be fully prepared for what is next and are on the same page concerning agreements and pleas.
This approach to organizing hearings seems to be the way to go, but would be difficult to implement in a county as large and diverse as Hennepin. The sheer number of courtrooms, judges, attorneys, and defendants make the necessary conversations before hearings impossible to predict. In order for a case to be heard, all defendants and attorneys must be present, informed, and prepared to be heard. When an attorney has multiple cases scheduled to be heard at the same time on different floors of the Government Building, its just luck that gets cases to be heard efficiently or even close to on time. I believe that Hennepin County runs as efficiently as possible given the population and the severity of many of the cases. It is interesting to me to see how differently courthouses can be run because I always thought there was a very specific system in place to adhere by. I am much more interested in the cases heard in Hennepin County but the process implemented in Washington County is also very appealing.
Friday, March 27, 2018
Volunteering at WATCH, I came to realize how important each individual in the justice process really is. Before, I had this idea that the justice system was a sort of machine, where one crime turns into one sentence. Seeing many cases firsthand, I realized the impact that a careful, attentive lawyer who genuinely cares about their client can make. I remember one attorney who introduced her client as a great person with whom she’d spent many hours. She really attempted to show that he was a human that made a mistake and was willing to change. Judges also have more influence than I had previously thought. A good judge takes into consideration many factors other than the crime and its impact on the victim; they look at the defendant’s life situation, their past, their willingness to seek treatment (whether it be anger, mental health, or drug counseling), and the threat they may pose to others in the future, to name a few. I have been pleasantly surprised by some court staff’s dedication to rehabilitating the defendant. While protecting existing victims is vital, it is equally important not to send perpetrators back into the world without rehabilitation, where they would be able to find and hurt new victims.
Friday, March 2, 2018
As an intern for WATCH, I have seen sympathy in many forms from judges. This amazes me because before I started interning for WATCH, I thought that the criminal justice system was very biased against defendants and possibly other people who get involved in the criminal justice system. A judge explained to me what influences his decision making in arraignment court. When setting a bail amount for someone he’s considering a release, he takes into consideration if the defendant has a job, how much money they make, or if their family can help pay for bail. He also mentioned to me that if a defendant’s family is in court, that makes a huge difference on his decision making because it shows that there are people there for the defendant to make sure he/she shows up to their future court dates. I also sat through multiple jury selections. The same judge took into consideration when a juror did not want to participate in a case involving criminal sexual conduct because this juror had family members that were sexually assaulted in the past. Although I don’t think the criminal justice system is perfect, I believe that is why organizations like WATCH exists, to make sure there are improvements.
Friday, November 10, 2017
As a WATCH court monitor, I’ve had the opportunity to observe numerous defendants being represented by public defenders. Being appointed a public defender is a common occurrence for the numerous indigent offenders that pass through the doors of a courtroom. Once in awhile, however, someone accused of a crime may choose to represent themselves. It’s interesting to examine how the behavior of the key players in a courtroom change to accommodate the pro se defendant.
In one instance, the prosecutor went out of his way to make sure the defendant was informed about the nuances of accepting a plea deal. The judge was not happy about this, and told the prosecutor to take a more hands-off approach. To me, the prosecutor seemed to be doing a good job of informing the defendant about the ramifications of a plea deal without stepping into the realm of legal counsel, but the judge deemed it to be a step too far. When all’s said and done, the judge’s job is to ensure justice on behalf of the state. This runs counter to the interests of the defendant. Nonetheless, the judge’s mission should be to serve justice. In my opinion, this prosecutor was doing just that.
In another instance, a defendant was obviously just seeking to be released from jail. He was trying to accept a plea bargain being offered by the prosecution. However, the statement of facts he was giving wasn’t completely clear and there was some debate about the actual guilt. The judge repeatedly asked if he wished to delay the case in order to be assigned a public defender. Without giving any actual legal advice, the judge made clear the benefits of having an attorney on your side. This is something I don’t believe the first judge I mentioned would have done.
When monitoring cases involving crimes as heinous as we often see at WATCH, it’s easy to develop a desire to steamroll through cases and see the defendants receive convictions. It is the duty of all the players in the courtroom, however, not just the defense attorneys, to ensure that the overall mission of justice is accomplished.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Interning at WATCH has been very rewarding for me as a criminal justice major. When applying, I was skeptical of how useful the many hours of observing court would be for someone who would like a career as a police or probation officer. It all still seemed very interesting to me, but I didn’t know how the experience would apply to my career interests. However, WATCH has shown me that the justice system in America is all connected, no matter what piece you find your career in. Each role is important and without them all being intertwined, our justice system simply wouldn’t be what it is today.
While observing court, I’ve witnessed police officers testify before a jury, something that I will potentially be called to perform with a career as a peace officer. I have also seen bailiffs bring defendants in custody to and from court, making sure they and the audience alike are behaving; something else that I as a county sheriff or deputy would be required to do. Seeing these officers in action has been a great opportunity and learning experience for me personally. Simply observing the law and all its ins-and-outs has been very helpful, also. When in class, it can be overwhelming to hear laws, their definitions, and statutes and be expected to memorize them all. As an intern at WATCH, I have been given the opportunity to see these laws in action every day I walk into the Government Center, which is far more engaging and interesting than simply reading definitions and writing papers in a classroom and lecture setting.
Friday, October 6, 2017
During my fourth week as an intern at WATCH, I was sent to Public Safety Facility court. Before attending, I had heard that this court would be stricter than the previous ones I had attended. The very first second I walked into the building I realized this was true. When stepping up to security, they were extremely stern, only allowing one person to move at a time. They were not entirely clear on what those passing through security needed to do (what to remove, when to move, etc.), however they raised their voice if you were not doing it correctly. After I was through security, I was instructed to make sure the door shut behind me, and to then wait on the other side for the other intern who was accompanying me.
Once inside the courtroom, I noticed a family sitting near the front of the room. There was a mother, grandmother, and child around 4 years old. I began to wonder if this family was at court for themselves, or if they were waiting for a defendant they knew, who would be coming to the room directly from jail. A few cases in, the next defendant stepped up in “the box”. I immediately noticed a shift in posture and affect from the family near the front. Looking back at the defendant, I noticed he immediately started crying when he saw the family sitting there. I kept watching their non-verbal interactions and realized how hard of a time he was having seeing the family, yet not being able to communicate or have physical contact with them. The little girl started to get upset and fussy. I am unsure if this was because she is a young child, or if it had something to do with not being able to interact with the man (presumably her father) in “the box”. This went on for maybe 30 seconds, until the bailiff approached and told the woman she needed to leave with her child. When the defendant realized the mother and daughter were asked to leave, he began crying harder.
It was this case that truly made me realize the effects of having a parent in custody and facing future incarceration, not only on the defendant, but on the family as well. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services around 3.6 million parents are under some form of correctional supervision. Of this 3.6 million, 1.1 million are incarcerated. The effect of incarceration on children is not a one-time event, instead it continuously unfolds, even after the parent is released.
Friday, September 29, 2017
It is interesting to see which cases make it to a jury trial. Since joining WATCH as a volunteer, and now as an intern, I have gotten to sit in on a handful of jury trials. Some cases have been very straightforward and easy to rule on, with the prosecutor producing overwhelming evidence and the right witnesses to attest to the crime. But some, like the one I saw on a Friday afternoon, were not as cut and dry. A man was accused of stabbing one of his friends after an intense argument. The prosecutor produced the witnesses to the crime, but they gave inconsistent evidence in court and contradicted their own crime-scene testimony. The knife that was used was never tested for DNA or fingerprints and was never entered into evidence. In his closing argument, the defense attorney brought these points up to the jury and asked them to decide, without a reasonable doubt, whether his client is guilty of this serious crime.
How would you rule? The state had to have enough information to charge this man of such a serious crime. But, the information provided to the jury that day had many questions marks and inconsistencies. This is why I have the utmost respect for every jury member. They must take time out of their busy schedules, listen to lawyers talk about complicated events, and remember all the facts of the case whose verdict is not obvious. After hours of learning just enough about the case, they must decide whether or not a citizen should be stripped of their constitutional right. I believe as citizens of the United States, this is the hardest civil duty to perform. There’s a reason we stand as the jury enters.
Friday, August 25, 2017
One day as I waited outside the courtroom for the doors to open, a public defender and his client happened to sit next to me. I closed my book and begun to listen to their conversation. The defendant looked about my age, 18, and he was African American. Dressed nicely, he was awaiting his sentencing hearing later that day. His attorney had come back with a deal from the prosecutor. A few months in jail on the most serious charge out of the four brought against him. The rest of the charges would be dropped. He kept asking how this would impact future job opportunities, applying for schools and loans, and finding housing. His attorney gently explained that this would be difficult for him now but that it was better than having multiple charges against him. Eventually, the lawyer wandered back to the courtroom and gave his client a moment to think it over.
The defendant immediately called his mom. He tried to explain his options but it seemed she was not satisfied with the plea deal. He began to tear up and told her that he would go into custody today and that he would see her soon. He walked towards the courtroom to accept his fate.
I realized in that moment I could never work as a prosecutor. Here is this young kid with his whole life ahead of him already facing a life full of obstacles, stigmas, and discrimination not only because of the color of his skin but now because he has a criminal record on top of that. At WATCH, interns get a full, extremely real, glimpse into the criminal justice system. You see all sides: the goals of the prosecution, the lives of defendants and their families, justice for the victim and so on. Over the course of the summer, I think all the interns came to realize that it is not a simple matter of right and wrong. These crimes and the repercussions of those acts, as well as the punishments, are complex and hard to accurately judge as an outsider.
Friday, August 18, 2017
This summer revealed to me an entire world that I did not know existed. A world where women are regularly abused, raped, and killed. For me this meant sitting in a courtroom for hours on end listening to details of horrible crimes that eventually seemed mundane to me. Even when I told others about my experiences in the courtroom, they persisted in seeing themselves outside of this world.
I think this is a common problem. Before working at WATCH I considered myself far from violence and crime. A person who was more likely to be in a court room because I want to be a lawyer rather than because I was a victim or a criminal.. I have now realized that this isn’t a separate world. It isn’t some far off country where women are being treated like second-class citizens. It isn’t only inner city residents or under-educated people experiencing these crimes. Sex trafficking, domestic abuse, criminal sexual conduct, and many other crimes can be committed against any woman, any age, with any amount of money, status, or education. My summer broke down the walls of that separate world where bad things happen and it flooded over into my world.
Friday, August 11, 2017
I recently witnessed the justice system that I once defended fail to protect our most vulnerable populations. The week after the fourth of July, I was assigned to observe first appearances at felony arraignment court. I watched person after person (some who had been charged with murder) be brought out in custody before a judge, Then an 85-year-old woman was brought out and I immediately thought to myself, “what could have landed a little old lady in jail with people who have been accused of murder?” As her hearing continued, the judge revealed that she has been charged with 1st degree burglary, which means that she entered an occupied dwelling without consent. The judge also revealed that this was her first offence EVER. Throughout the proceeding, the woman had no idea what was going on, and the judge did not make an effort to inform her about the next steps in her case.
The part that made me the angriest was I fact that this woman had already spent eight days in jail because she was considered a “threat to the public”. It’s sad to think that our community believes a vulnerable 85-year-old woman needs to be subjected to the same proceedings as a accused murder. Even though I have witnessed great injustices such as this, I’m so thankful I had this experience which opened my eyes to the reality of the criminal justice system. I hope to use my experience to seek change with my own community as well as seek national reform.
Friday, July 21, 2017
During my second week at WATCH, I was assigned to sit in on a jury selection. This was an experience I had never been exposed to before, besides what I had seen on television. I walked into the courtroom and watched as a slew of people were brought in. I sat there for four hours, observing and watching. I found out as the hours went on that the man sitting in front of us had committed a brutal crime. He beat a woman until she was unconscious, kidnapped her, and raped her. As a result, she had ended up in the hospital and was at that moment going into organ failure. After dozens of in depth questions and the dismissal of a few jurors, the defense attorney asked if anyone had personal involvement with sexual assault that would make them bias when judging this case. The stories that were shared made me realize why we do the work we do at WATCH. These women talked about incidents that included kidnapping, domestic abuse, and rape. Some of it happened to them personally, others discussed crimes that occurred against their daughters, granddaughters, wives, sisters, or friends. Hearing the pain and anger in their voices, the way their bodies tensed up when they spoke of what had happened reinforced why I intern with WATCH. We are living in a country where over 1 million women are raped every year. Not to even mention the other crimes we monitor. Now, more than ever, we must stand together to ensure that women who are victims of crimes are treated fairly and justly. I firmly believe that once equality in the criminal justice system is achieved, it will spread throughout other institutions and parts of our world as well. WATCH is a part of this process and is leaving a prominent mark on the criminal justice system in Minnesota
Friday, July 14, 2017
As an intern I am exposed to both the experiences within the courtroom, as our volunteers are, and the data review process. I have experienced a wide variety of cases within the courtroom. One such experience that I recall is when I was asked to sit in on a domestic assault case in which the defendant was the father of the victim. The victim was a minor with a very shy and timid demeanor and was shaking on the stand whilst testifying. The judge presiding on this case was very gracious to the victim and even took her aside for a moment to say “Breathe, you can be heard here.”
Later that day, I was asked to process the court monitoring forms and couldn’t help but see the immense quantity of other domestic assault cases that WATCH has been reporting on. These cases often times go unheard or unnoticed due to the personal nature of these crimes, but WATCH stands behind their mission to make the public more knowledgeable about what is happening within their community courts. Being able to experience the judicial system with the perspective of a WATCH intern is absolute instrumental in my professional endeavors as I strive to become an attorney one day. The exposure that one may receive through WATCH truly enriches one with a new perspective on the true inner workings of the interactions among judges, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and victim.
Friday, June 23, 2017
The American criminal justice system is an immense and complex institution. Its faults of injustice are widely recognized, yet the public often experiences a sense of apathy, viewing the system as too broken to reform, too daunting to take on. Yet, from a small office on the 15th floor of Rand Tower in downtown Minneapolis, WATCH attempts to do exactly that, monitoring a considerable portion of the criminal cases that cycle through the Hennepin and Ramsey courts. As an intern for WATCH, I have had the opportunity to learn firsthand the extraordinary potency and efficacy of such a group in confronting those historic inequities and injustices that have reduced and oppressed victims. WATCH works because it places its staff and volunteers directly in the throes of the judiciary, planting bodies and red clipboards in the courtrooms that too often fail to deliver justice.
I have now observed cases spanning much of the extensive range of crimes of abuse and exploitation against women and children in the Twin Cities. For each judge that presides over these consequential cases that WATCH observes, monitors complete a form assessing the judge’s efficiency, respect, and impartiality. Many judges are excellent, following the guidelines of their professions as dictated by the law. But they are not always so compliant. Some have been outwardly rude to the men and women before them, while others have appeared wholly indifferent. In fact, one judge I observed noisily munched on a granola bar in the middle of a hearing.
Although these issues persist, the work that WATCH performs directly contributes to a larger mission to reform the criminal justice system. Our feedback will be heard by the judiciary, and progress – albeit a slow one – will continue to be witnessed in the courtrooms.
Friday, May 3, 2017
Today the judge made a direct comment to the defendant that sex trafficking and prostitution of minors is a crime driven by demand. She added that johns, like the defendant, who solicit sex from minors don’t realize that they are directly causing many women’s lives to be permanently scarred from sexual exploitation. I was impressed that the judge confronted the defendant with such a harsh but truthful statement about the implications of his crime. The judge wasn’t required to say something like that as a judge. She went above and beyond to hold the defendant accountable. I thought it was a very powerful way to convey to the defendant that he plays just as much of a role as the pimp does in sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors.
Friday, April 14, 2017
I have learned a lot while at WATCH about where I want to continue with my career path in the criminal justice field. It also gave me a sense of hope. This organization stands behind it’s mission statement of creating a more informed public by producing the WATCH Chronicle reports as they do from all the volunteer feedback. No matter how many or how few volunteers we have, we still manage to go see court cases every day and think about what our system would be like if everyone outside of those committing crimes and those prosecuting, defending or judging that person, could never enter the walls of the courthouse. With the overabundance of media coverage that we have today, we also see those courtrooms while we watch the news, incorporated into our shows, and displayed through various video games and board games. This means that there is an even more vital stance to take on this issue because we are involving volunteers from the surrounding communities to learn what it is really like, not just what the TV and the media says it is.
Friday, April 7, 2017
One of the most surprising aspects of court monitoring is how eachindividual case has its own unique complexities. As an intern at WATCH, I’ve been observing cases from domestic assault, to sex trafficking, to murder, and have had the opportunity to witness how the Hennepin and Ramsey county courts work towards addressing crimes of violence towards women and children. Through observing WATCH’s priority cases, I also see many other cases that fall outside of our work, giving insight into how the Minnesota judicial system addresses a myriad of offenses.
Because each case is distinct, I have learned how important it is to be present in the courtroom, listening for the reasoning behind the judges and juries’ decisions during sentencing. A recent example that comes to mind of how nuanced each cases can be, is jury trial involving a sex trafficker. The jury was unable to reach an agreement on whether the female defendant was solely acting as a trafficker, or if she herself was also being trafficked at some point. Because of the complex nature of sex trafficking, it became very clear to me that each case must be followed, taking into account every complexity and individual involved. Through recording information on cases and their outcomes, we can better understand why traffickers and buyers are receiving certain sentences, and provide informed and appropriate recommendations for change within the judicial system.
Friday, March 31, 2017
I’ve been thinking a lot about how sex workers and buyers are criminalized, and why. In multiple cases I’ve witnessed now, buyers are caught because of an undercover police officer who set out a fake advertisement. In essence, the police are setting up the illegal situation and drawing potential buyers in – using honey instead of vinegar, I suppose. I understand that the point of that operation is to stop potential offenders from offending, and from hurting vulnerable women and girls in the process, but the sheer prevalence of undercover police cases where buyers are concerned is extremely striking to me. Coupled with my sense that people of color are highly targeted by the justice system, the “undercover sting” method does not sit well with me. It feels more like law enforcement is trying to meet a quota instead of trying to stop people who are really dangerous to others. Good as their intentions might be, this method cannot escape the perception that the justice system is unfairly narrowed onto people of color.
I find that many sex workers are also held to unreasonable standards, and occasionally get worse sentences than buyers. Why do we simultaneously view sex workers as both victims and perpetrators? Something about that combination doesn’t match up. I think decriminalizing and regulating sex work would allow us to catch many more instances of trafficking, instead of targeting already vulnerable populations.
Friday, March 24, 2017
With most of the court monitoring that is done by WATCH volunteers, a lot of your time is spent waiting for cases to be called, or waiting for the right people to show up for every class. Once you are a more “seasoned” volunteer or intern, you spend time taking others to court with you to show them the courtroom and how to fill out all of the forms that are completed every time you go to court. As my time as an intern progresses, taking other volunteers to court is growing to be one of my most enlightening and insightful experiences.
When you take other volunteers to court, you get to know them as well as watch and hear how they react to different situations that are brought up in a courtroom. There was one specific volunteer that I have taken to court a few times to show her how each courtroom is different, and I really enjoyed meeting with her because our different backgrounds result in very different perceptions of the case that we monitor.
I think that one of the most important parts of WATCH is how we can bring so many community members into a courtroom, show them the process, and get their perspectives to present to the rest of the public who don’t get the opportunity to be involved in the court monitoring process.
Friday, March 17, 2017
As volunteers before me have probably explained, much of court monitoring is sitting around waiting for cases to be called, or the proper professionals to arrive. That was the case with my half-day, I only managed to observe two cases of interest to WATCH. The people and issues of interest, as I look back on the day, were contained within the gallery instead of up on the stand.
I can’t recount the specific number of occasions where I noticed women in the gallery taking care of their infants and toddlers, but I can tell you that the presence of young children in the courtroom is common. While I adore children, (trying my best to teach an infant in the gallery today how to open and close their hand in a “wave” with a wide, goofy grin on my face,) I can only imagine that caring for children interferes with one’s understanding of court proceedings, and constantly needing to tote the child around is not ideal for fulfilling tasks in the adult realm in general. Multitasking is tough to do! In observing this ongoing issue, I would recommend the courts, or agencies working in tandem with the justice system, provide childcare for those in the galleries or defendants with young children.
Friday, July 14, 2017
As an intern I am exposed to both the experiences within the courtroom, as our volunteers are, and the data review process. I have experienced a wide variety of cases within the courtroom. One such experience that I recall is when I was asked to sit in on a domestic assault case in which the defendant was the father of the victim. The victim was a minor with a very shy and timid demeanor and was shaking on the stand whilst testifying. The judge presiding on this case was very gracious to the victim and even took her aside for a moment to say “Breathe, you can be heard here.”
Later that day, I was asked to process the court monitoring forms and couldn’t help but see the immense quantity of other domestic assault cases that WATCH has been reporting on. These cases often times go unheard or unnoticed due to the personal nature of these crimes, but WATCH stands behind their mission to make the public more knowledgeable about what is happening within their community courts. Being able to experience the judicial system with the perspective of a WATCH intern is absolute instrumental in my professional endeavors as I strive to become an attorney one day. The exposure that one may receive through WATCH truly enriches one with a new perspective on the true inner workings of the interactions among judges, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and victim.
Friday, June 23, 2017
The American criminal justice system is an immense and complex institution. Its faults of injustice are widely recognized, yet the public often experiences a sense of apathy, viewing the system as too broken to reform, too daunting to take on. Yet, from a small office on the 15th floor of Rand Tower in downtown Minneapolis, WATCH attempts to do exactly that, monitoring a considerable portion of the criminal cases that cycle through the Hennepin and Ramsey courts. As an intern for WATCH, I have had the opportunity to learn firsthand the extraordinary potency and efficacy of such a group in confronting those historic inequities and injustices that have reduced and oppressed victims. WATCH works because it places its staff and volunteers directly in the throes of the judiciary, planting bodies and red clipboards in the courtrooms that too often fail to deliver justice.
I have now observed cases spanning much of the extensive range of crimes of abuse and exploitation against women and children in the Twin Cities. For each judge that presides over these consequential cases that WATCH observes, monitors complete a form assessing the judge’s efficiency, respect, and impartiality. Many judges are excellent, following the guidelines of their professions as dictated by the law. But they are not always so compliant. Some have been outwardly rude to the men and women before them, while others have appeared wholly indifferent. In fact, one judge I observed noisily munched on a granola bar in the middle of a hearing.
Although these issues persist, the work that WATCH performs directly contributes to a larger mission to reform the criminal justice system. Our feedback will be heard by the judiciary, and progress – albeit a slow one – will continue to be witnessed in the courtrooms.
Friday, May 3, 2017
Today the judge made a direct comment to the defendant that sex trafficking and prostitution of minors is a crime driven by demand. She added that johns, like the defendant, who solicit sex from minors don’t realize that they are directly causing many women’s lives to be permanently scarred from sexual exploitation. I was impressed that the judge confronted the defendant with such a harsh but truthful statement about the implications of his crime. The judge wasn’t required to say something like that as a judge. She went above and beyond to hold the defendant accountable. I thought it was a very powerful way to convey to the defendant that he plays just as much of a role as the pimp does in sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors.
Friday, April 14, 2017
I have learned a lot while at WATCH about where I want to continue with my career path in the criminal justice field. It also gave me a sense of hope. This organization stands behind it’s mission statement of creating a more informed public by producing the WATCH Chronicle reports as they do from all the volunteer feedback. No matter how many or how few volunteers we have, we still manage to go see court cases every day and think about what our system would be like if everyone outside of those committing crimes and those prosecuting, defending or judging that person, could never enter the walls of the courthouse. With the overabundance of media coverage that we have today, we also see those courtrooms while we watch the news, incorporated into our shows, and displayed through various video games and board games. This means that there is an even more vital stance to take on this issue because we are involving volunteers from the surrounding communities to learn what it is really like, not just what the TV and the media says it is.
Friday, April 7, 2017
One of the most surprising aspects of court monitoring is how eachindividual case has its own unique complexities. As an intern at WATCH, I’ve been observing cases from domestic assault, to sex trafficking, to murder, and have had the opportunity to witness how the Hennepin and Ramsey county courts work towards addressing crimes of violence towards women and children. Through observing WATCH’s priority cases, I also see many other cases that fall outside of our work, giving insight into how the Minnesota judicial system addresses a myriad of offenses.
Because each case is distinct, I have learned how important it is to be present in the courtroom, listening for the reasoning behind the judges and juries’ decisions during sentencing. A recent example that comes to mind of how nuanced each cases can be, is jury trial involving a sex trafficker. The jury was unable to reach an agreement on whether the female defendant was solely acting as a trafficker, or if she herself was also being trafficked at some point. Because of the complex nature of sex trafficking, it became very clear to me that each case must be followed, taking into account every complexity and individual involved. Through recording information on cases and their outcomes, we can better understand why traffickers and buyers are receiving certain sentences, and provide informed and appropriate recommendations for change within the judicial system.
Friday, March 31, 2017
I’ve been thinking a lot about how sex workers and buyers are criminalized, and why. In multiple cases I’ve witnessed now, buyers are caught because of an undercover police officer who set out a fake advertisement. In essence, the police are setting up the illegal situation and drawing potential buyers in – using honey instead of vinegar, I suppose. I understand that the point of that operation is to stop potential offenders from offending, and from hurting vulnerable women and girls in the process, but the sheer prevalence of undercover police cases where buyers are concerned is extremely striking to me. Coupled with my sense that people of color are highly targeted by the justice system, the “undercover sting” method does not sit well with me. It feels more like law enforcement is trying to meet a quota instead of trying to stop people who are really dangerous to others. Good as their intentions might be, this method cannot escape the perception that the justice system is unfairly narrowed onto people of color.
I find that many sex workers are also held to unreasonable standards, and occasionally get worse sentences than buyers. Why do we simultaneously view sex workers as both victims and perpetrators? Something about that combination doesn’t match up. I think decriminalizing and regulating sex work would allow us to catch many more instances of trafficking, instead of targeting already vulnerable populations.
Friday, March 24, 2017
With most of the court monitoring that is done by WATCH volunteers, a lot of your time is spent waiting for cases to be called, or waiting for the right people to show up for every class. Once you are a more “seasoned” volunteer or intern, you spend time taking others to court with you to show them the courtroom and how to fill out all of the forms that are completed every time you go to court. As my time as an intern progresses, taking other volunteers to court is growing to be one of my most enlightening and insightful experiences.
When you take other volunteers to court, you get to know them as well as watch and hear how they react to different situations that are brought up in a courtroom. There was one specific volunteer that I have taken to court a few times to show her how each courtroom is different, and I really enjoyed meeting with her because our different backgrounds result in very different perceptions of the case that we monitor.
I think that one of the most important parts of WATCH is how we can bring so many community members into a courtroom, show them the process, and get their perspectives to present to the rest of the public who don’t get the opportunity to be involved in the court monitoring process.
Friday, March 17, 2017
As volunteers before me have probably explained, much of court monitoring is sitting around waiting for cases to be called, or the proper professionals to arrive. That was the case with my half-day, I only managed to observe two cases of interest to WATCH. The people and issues of interest, as I look back on the day, were contained within the gallery instead of up on the stand.
I can’t recount the specific number of occasions where I noticed women in the gallery taking care of their infants and toddlers, but I can tell you that the presence of young children in the courtroom is common. While I adore children, (trying my best to teach an infant in the gallery today how to open and close their hand in a “wave” with a wide, goofy grin on my face,) I can only imagine that caring for children interferes with one’s understanding of court proceedings, and constantly needing to tote the child around is not ideal for fulfilling tasks in the adult realm in general. Multitasking is tough to do! In observing this ongoing issue, I would recommend the courts, or agencies working in tandem with the justice system, provide childcare for those in the galleries or defendants with young children.
Friday, March 10, 2017
I recently monitored two different jury trials in Ramsey County. Having served on a jury before, it was interesting to view the trials from a court monitor’s perspective. In both cases, the defendants were black, and in both cases only one member of the jury was black. Considering the atmosphere around black people and the United States’ justice system currently, I thought it was an oversight that there were not more black people on either jury, in the interest of fairness. However, I was not present for the jury selection process, so I am unsure as to who was in the pool of jurors in the beginning.
In the second jury trial, something else I noticed was that during afternoon recess, both the prosecuting and defense attorneys complained about the defendant’s accent. He was a little difficult to understand at times, but I thought it was highly unprofessional for the two of them to complain about his mumbling in a way that bordered on mockery. Both attorneys were white.
In the month that I’ve been at WATCH, there has been a clear race discrepancy between who is doing the judicial work (white people, usually men) and who is being charged (people of color, also usually men). While I am a very staunch advocate for the victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sex trafficking, I can’t help but feel conflicted about the prevalence of black and brown bodies in our criminal justice system. The idea that people of color are simply more violent and commit more crimes has been proven time and time again to be untrue, which says to me that there is a huge racial difference in who is caught breaking the law, and who the state chooses to pursue charges against. Who is this system made to punish? How can we support victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sex trafficking without pushing institutional racism? I do not have answers to these questions yet. It is a complex issue, and one I am more aware of now after monitoring several cases at WATCH.
Friday, March 3, 2017
For those who may not be aware, WATCH has successfully expanded its court monitoring mission into Washington County. One of the first things I noticed in the infancy of monitoring in Washington County is the amount of communication that is had between court personnel and defendants. Since Washington County is not nearly the size of Ramsey or Hennepin, the caseload is considerably lower, which allows the opportunity for defendants to speak with both the prosecutors and defense attorneys. I feel like this could be advantageous to both parties because it informs the defendants of the prosecutor’s intentions, allows direct communication between prosecutor and defense, and makes for a clearer overall process for the defendants. This is also advantageous for prosecutors because it can establish a clear pathway of communication between both sides which allows for less surprises during the proceedings. In addition, the courtrooms and waiting areas outside of each courtroom has TV monitors that list the order in which defendants’ cases will be called. As many people know who have monitored court, Hennepin and Ramsey do not say who will be called next which can often times leave the defendants unsure when their case will be heard. The addition of TVs in Hennepin and Ramsey county, I think, could help with alleviating some of the uncertainty experienced by those not familiar with the court process and could also add better efficiency.
Friday, February 24, 2017
My first experience at Order For Protection (OFP) Court was very interesting. There were a few that really stuck out to me for various reasons. First, there was a petitioner who came in with his twin children. He told the judge that he wanted to dismiss his case because he did not wish to keep his children away from their mother. This surprised me since the facts of the claim were that the respondent was abusing both chemicals and drugs and might be of danger to both the petitioner and their children. The judge seemed reluctant to dismiss the case but told the petitioner that it was completely his choice and that he could always come back to OFP court. Second, there was a woman petitioner, of what seemed to be African descent asking for a modification of her OFP against her husband. The petitioner was very confused on what was happening, both her advocate and the judge tried to explain to her what was going on but she was rather upset.
After she calmed down and got a full explanation of what was going to happen the rest went smoothly. The petitioner wanted help with her children, she asked that her children be removed from the OFP so that the respondent take the children. I thought that the judge did a very good job at staying patience with the petitioner and helping her as well.
The third case was the most interesting. When the hearing started and the petitioner started to tell her story I immediately believed her. After the petitioner was finished telling her story, the respondent had a turn to ask questions. The respondent was calm and clear headed when asking questions. During his questioning he brought to light alot that the petitioner had left out, like her mental state and her attachment to the respondent, While listening to the respondents questions and the petitioners answers to them I felt my opinion of the petitioner changing. I felt extremely horrified at the idea of being the judge for this hearing. Both petitioner and respondent sounded genuine and believable in their stories. I did not get to stay for the rest of the hearing but I think the judge is going to have a difficult time deciding whether or not to grant the OFP.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Today I had the opportunity to tour the Hennepin County Jail with several others, which was incredibly eye-opening experience. The only other facility I have ever toured was the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, which actually had a few surprising similarities to the County Jail. The way most of the living quarters are divided in sections, with the individual rooms attached to a larger shared space, was similar. Both facilities have also taken a lot of precautions to ensure the safety of those in their care. They use a number of different factors when determining room/ section assignments. They have protocols in place for handling medical emergencies, both mental and physical.
What surprised me about the jail though, was exactly how clean, quiet, and orderly everything was. For some reason, I was completely expecting something else when we walked in. Everything though, from the booking area to the kitchen to the living quarters, was clean and quiet. I think we missed some of the disturbances that took place earlier in the morning, plus everyone was in their individual rooms for “quiet time” after lunch, but it was still definitely not what I was picturing when we began the tour!
This tour will certainly change the way I view the defendants who come into court from now on. There is something about seeing the emptiness of the cells, the space they have to share with several dozen others, the sterilized and medical feel to the spaces. This is the dreary environment. Yet, as the employee who gave the tour said, many receive better nourishment, medical services, and housing at the jail than when they are any where else. Many of their lives are so much more difficult than I could ever possibly imagine.
Friday, February 10, 2017
There were no victims in the two courtrooms monitored today. I did notice that, as during the 30 years I spent as a correction agent, the judges seem overly trustful of anything the defendants say or promise. My observation back in the day, which has not changed based on my observations this week is that judges had insufficient or no training in human behavior, particularly in the realm of personality disorder, and that as long as they fail to see things from the victims point of view, in addition to the defendants, they will inequitably identity with the defendants. There was nothing but respect- plenty of encouraging “atta boys”, but precious little skepticism. They could also benefit from an alternative point of view about the role of chemicals in criminal behavior, as I suspect they believe that, once sober they can be trusted to not re offend. I was never happier, as a corrections agents then when someone turned their life around, but I also did not trust anyone- nor wonder how much exposure judges get to crime victims in general, e.g. CEU classes. Something to reduce their naivety.
Friday, September 2, 2016
The victim in the Kelton case was very agitated and (though she was not allowed to speak) made it clear by shaking her head that she did not agree with the allegations made. She was spoken for for from by all parties- the prosecutor mentioned physical evidence of assault, the defense mentioned her request for the charges to be dropped and asked that she be allowed to speak, and the judge mentioned she may have battered women’s syndrome. I think seeing her made me realize what a complex position victims are in, especially when you are not able to speak for yourself.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Interning for WATCH has provided me with a great experience and a new outlook on our Criminal Justice System as a whole. Prior to being apart of WATCH I had been to Hennepin County Courthouse and Ramsey County Courthouse one time each. During the past three months at WATCH I have been to each courthouse multiple times and have been able to view similarities and differences between the two.
Being able to experience these different courthouses, judges, defense attorneys and prosecutors was astonishing. It is difficult to put into words the different ways these many people can effect the court process in the grand scheme of things as well as looking at them from a smaller perspective. The role of defense attorneys grabs my attention the most. There are some instances where I am truly baffled that someone wants to try and defend someone who committed such a heinous crime, but at the end of the day, it’s their job. Seeing the determination many of the defense attorneys and prosecutors have makes me have faith and hope for the future of our Criminal Justice System as well as society as a whole.
Being a Criminology/Criminal Justice Major with a Minor in Psychology and Forensic Science I have been unsure what I want to do upon graduation. Though spending 200 or so hours this summer familiarizing myself with the courts system, I have concluded that I don’t think I could ever be an attorney. From the start that wasn’t my top choice, but after seeing the wit and quickness an attorney must uphold for the benefit of their client, I believe I am not cut out to be a prosecutor or defense attorney. However, in realizing that I am not interested in being an attorney, my views to other possible career paths has opened up. Watching Victim Advocates console their clients, being a part of behind the scenes work that WATCH provides the system, as well as doing my own research on the BCA and other agencies has opened my eyes to a whole surplus of options for my future career. I have reached an understanding that as my graduating days are approaching within a year and a half I want to be apart of something that will benefit both sides of the Criminal Justice System, not just part of it.
Viewing WATCH as a whole, I commend how things are ran day to day. As an intern, it was reassuring knowing that I wasn’t going to be thrown into the courthouse by myself on the first day and have to learn the ropes myself. Having that assistance the first day and everyday after that from the other interns, volunteers, and supervisors was something that every good organization should have. Walking into different courtrooms having bailiffs, attorneys, judges, clerks, etc. know who you are and talk to you because you have a Red Clipboard is another positive aspect of this organization.
Looking back at my time here at WATCH I am unable to think of anything within the organization that is negative or needs changing/adjusting. I am proud to say I was able to intern for such an incredible non-profit organization and hope to volunteer here in the future as well as recommend classmates and peers to volunteer/intern as well. I truly believe that no matter what you want to do with your education, if it’s something within the Criminal Justice System, getting yourself in a courtroom setting on multiple occasions will benefit you immensely. I am thankful for my time here and hope to return in the near future.