Court Watch AR
Court Watch AR is dedicated to upholding justice for all through actively engaging in Arkansas courts to promote transparency and accountability in the criminal legal system.
Utilizing data, storytelling, artistic expression, and research, we educate Arkansans through public events that center the stories and experiences of individuals who are directly impacted by the criminal injustice system.
Education
Court Watch AR takes Arkansans into publicly accessible court rooms across the state in an effort to promote public scrutiny and accountability of prosecutors and judges and other system actors.
Accountability
We use storytelling to help contextualize data, empower directly impacted people to share their own experiences and help shift public narratives around the criminal legal system.
Storytelling
Data Collection
We use community-based data collection to compile reports documenting injustices within the criminal legal system. These reports are made publicly available and serve as a tool for public transparency.
Direct Support
Court Watch AR helps connect people directly impacted by the court system with the resources they need to navigate the system, advocate for themselves, and better their lives.
Court Watching is mutual aid.
We observe court proceedings to remind court actors of their obligation to the community, document the implementation of policies, report on discrimination and injustices, and support people adversely impacted by the court system. Without knowledge, navigating the system is difficult and nearly impossible to overcome. Your presence can change the outcome of cases and support directly impacted people.
Why Court Watch?
Volunteer With Us
Beginning in 2025, Arkansas will begin observing two Little Rock court dockets each week (Little Rock District Court and Pulaski County District Court). However, even if you are not able to observe court, there are other ways that you can support our work and become involved in Court Watch AR!
