The Advocates Publish the First WATCH Issue Brief

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WATCH became part of The Advocates in June of 2019, bringing 30 years of monitoring criminal court hearings. Originally founded in 1992, court monitoring began in Hennepin County in 1993, Ramsey County in 2014, and Washington County in 2016. Since 2019, volunteers have continued to have a presence in all three counties both remotely and in-person. As hearings began shifting to a virtual platform, and people contended with remote access, equipment and technology, WATCH observers noted several challenges in the virtual setting. At the same time, WATCH observed court personnel using creative and innovative solutions to address those problems and promote a smoother process. This brief highlights some of the virtual challenges observed, as well as potential solutions. Read other WATCH reports here and learn about volunteering here