Courtwatch PG is a growing community of volunteers from Maryland and beyond, led by formerly incarcerated Black women. We observe court proceedings in Prince George’s County District Court to document official policies in action and hold officials accountable for injustice in the criminal legal system.
We are students, professionals, academics, retired lawyers and others spurred to action by what is happening to our community.
Everyone's day in court should be public - that is what the Constitution requires. But that right means nothing if nobody is watching.
Every day, bond hearings in Prince George’s County cause people to be jailed for months without a trial, because they are jailed before trial.
Everyone’s day in court should be public—that’s what the Constitution requires. But that right means nothing if nobody is watching.
In a democracy, officials act in our name. It is our job to watch what we are doing to each other, and fix what needs fixing.
Our history of colonialism and slavery tends to divide us—into white people vs. Black and brown people, rich people vs. poor people—marked as potential enemies in each other’s eyes.
Volunteers are critical to every aspect of our organization. Their generosity and dedication are what make change possible.
There are many opportunities to share your time, talent, and treasure with Courtwatch.