Courtwatch DC is a growing DC-based program that provides the space and training for the community to observe local court proceedings in the District of Columbia and document our city’s policies in action and to hold judicial actors accountable for injustice in the court system. Courtwatch DC is powered by Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, with support from Defund MPD and the ACLU-DC, and was founded and led by formerly incarcerated Black women.

Courtwatching is a form of mutual aid. Inspired by Courtwatch PG, we strive to ensure that our community of courtwatchers is multigenerational, multiracial, anti-racist, and moving towards an abolitionist future.

Goals of this program include:

1. Gathering real-time, objective data that will illuminate patterns and long-term trends in the DC Court System.

2. Letting DC officials know that the public is paying attention to judicial practices.

3. Creating an informed and involved public by educating communities about the court system.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email qiana@harrietsdreams.org