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III. Role of the DVCC Court Watch
Why We Monitor:
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Provide a Public Presence:
Court
monitoring organizations serve as an impartial sounding
board to bring concerns to the public’s attention. They often provide a
forum for an ongoing, constructive dialogue between citizens, the
judiciary, and other members of the justice system. Just the presence of
a monitor in the courtroom sends a strong message that our community is
united against domestic violence.
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Promote Accountability:
The justice system must be held accountable for
how it handles domestic violence cases, and for the impact of its
actions. The presence of observers in the courtroom can promote
accountability and serve as a strong reminder that the public takes these
crimes seriously and has a vested interest in how the system handles this
issue.
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Bring
Perspective: It is difficult for those working
in the justice system to view their work as others do. Court monitors are
able to provide the perspective of victims, defendants, and the general
public to the criminal justice system in a calm and rational manner. DVCC
Court Watch encourages and welcomes participation by volunteers from
varied backgrounds, to further enhance perspective.
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Educate
the Public: A court watch organization can play
an important role in educating voters. In Nebraska, judges are political
appointees who must stand for retention every six years. They and elected
officials, such as legislators, the county attorney, the public defender,
city council members, key law enforcement officials, and county
commissioners have a powerful influence over how crimes of domestic
violence are perceived, processed and penalized. The public should be
better informed about judicial conduct and other aspects of the criminal
justice system, so that they can make prudent decisions at election time.
Further, education of the public makes the system more accessible and
understandable. Finally, exposure to the system can help educate the
public about positive policies, practices and procedures already in place.
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