What is the Courtwatch program of Jo Daviess County?
Courtwatch of Jo Daviess County is a citizen based volunteer group that comes together to observe the criminal justice process. The citizens perform the role of identifying strengths and weaknesses in the court system.
The type of cases that will be followed include:
Sexual assault and abuse
Sex offender registration
Domestic abuse
Violations of orders of protection
Plenary order of protection hearings
Why sexual assault, and domestic violence?
Domestic violence and sexual assault are pervasive in our community as evident by the rising number of survivors serviced by advocacy programs such as Riverview Center, Inc., and CHOICES.
What is the purpose of Courtwatch?
The purpose of a Courtwatch program is to:
1. Involve citizens in bringing about more public awareness of family violence issues
2. Form a coordinated response among citizens, criminal justice personnel and advocacy groups on handling abuse issues.
Both are integral part of a community’s response to domestic violence and sexual assault. This project will engage the public in addressing abuse in our community and give a point of view of outsiders to the system, all the while making recommended improvements and building upon strengths.
What information will Courtwatch provide?
The volunteers will collect statistical data along with subjective observations. They will report on a wide range of topics from: abuser accountability, victim sensitivity, court room audibility, time spent on a case, court house conditions and court personnel demeanor. A newsletter highlighting the findings will be distributed freely to court personnel, law enforcement, attorneys, media and advocacy groups.
Participation
People interested in participating in the program can e-mail at courtwatching@yahoo.com or call (563) 580-2815. |
