- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
170 people are interested
Court Watchdog- Philly
ORGANIZATION: PENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERN COURTS
Please visit the new page to apply.
- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
170 people are interested
What are PMC Watches and Bail Watch?
PMC Watches and Bail Watch are community-oriented expansions of PMC's traditional "court watchdog" role. The programs send community members into Philadelphia courtrooms to observe and record court proceedings.
Why should you volunteer in the program?
Through this program, you will help to increase transparency and accountability in the court system, by simply being present during court proceedings. Additionally, the programs will provide you with firsthand insight into how justice is administered in Philadelphia.
Who can participate?
This opportunity is open to everyone! No prior experience is necessary to participate in the program, but all volunteers must attend a short training session before they begin going into courtrooms. At the training session, you will be provided with a checklist of things to look for when you are in court. Everyone who responds to this posting will be notified when the next training session is scheduled.
Who are we?
In the 1980s citizens’ confidence in the Pennsylvania judiciary sank to an all-time low following a series of public judicial scandals. To restore citizens’ faith in the courts, then-Superior Court Judge Phyllis W. Beck joined with other respected civic leaders to form Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. Devised as a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting judicial ethics, PMC has functioned as Pennsylvania’s only official "court watchdog" for nearly thirty years. Through our efforts to bring judicial modernization and reform to Pennsylvania, improve civic education and engagement, and expand access to justice for all, PMC aspires to ensure that all Pennsylvanians can come confidently to our courts for justice.
More opportunities with PENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERN COURTS
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About PENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERN COURTS
Location:
TWO PENN CENTER SUITE 1140 1500 JOH, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102, US
Mission Statement
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can come to our courts with confidence that they will be heard by qualified, fair, and impartial judges. PMC functions as a court watchdog. We identify and speak out on issues that impact the public's confidence in our courts, and then we work proactively, constructively, and cooperatively to reform and modernize the judiciary. We serve as a highly respected information hub for the public, policymakers, the legal community, the courts, and the media. We are a champion of the elimination of bias in Pennsylvania’s courts in all its forms.
Description
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts works to achieve its mission through three main areas of focus: Civic Education and Engagement, Equal Access to Justice, and Judicial Modernization and Reform.
Community Education & Engagement
A crucial part of PMC's mission is to serve as an information hub for the public, policymakers, the legal community, the courts and the media, and we are highly respected in that role. PMC responds to hundreds of inquiries from court users, including witnesses, litigants and jurors, seeking resources necessary to navigate our complicated and often confusing judicial system.
Equal Access to Justice
Eliminating bias in Pennsylvania's courts is a core component of PMC's mission. PMC was a leader in the Access to Justice Movement in Pennsylvania, working with a coalition of organizations and policymakers accross the state to increase visibility of the issue and needed reforms in the justice system and in collaboration with civil and legal communites to improve the jury process and experience.
Judicial Modernization & Reform
Merit Selection is the judicial selection system that best ensures that qualified individuals will reach the bench without the problematic influence of money on the selection process.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
2 Penn Center, Suite 1140, 1500 JFK Blvd.Philadelphia, PA 19103
DATE POSTED
May 17, 2023
SKILLS
- Legal (General)
- Advocacy
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
- Group
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 17
- Orientation or Training
- After attending a training session our volunteers participate in these programs on their own time. You can complete as many or as few hours of court watching as you would like.