BailWatch: CWNYC is back in arraignments!

Last month, CWNYC began hearing reports of a rise in specific judges not applying the laws governing bail fairly, setting unreasonable bail and sending people to languish at Rikers Island on bail they cannot afford.

Today, the CWNYC arraignments watching program is relaunching as #BailWatch, focused on judges who are the worst offenders. Court Watchers are going back en masse into arraignments. The presence of Court Watch NYC volunteer observers will signal to judges that New Yorkers are looking out for their neighbors and will not permit their rights to be trampled in the dark. Volunteers will also collect valuable data on specific judges, enabling our partners to better advise trial attorneys on release strategies, and better track trends in bail setting for targeted advocacy.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of what we are seeing in court. If you would like to join us in watching these judges, please sign up for our virtual Intro to CWNYC training on 7/11 at 7:30PM.

In solidarity,

Court Watch NYC