Courtwatch DC

We are a DC program providing community trainings to observe local court proceedings. Injustice happens in empty courtrooms. Courtwatch is mutual aid!

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Detention IS NOT prevention. Join us Sept 26th to unpack the crime bills that have been proposed by DC elected officials and how we can fight back. https://t.co/WOY64bKrwm

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

We keep up safe and we keep us free!

✅Pre-trial amendment passed
✅DNA amendment passed
✅Expungement and record sealing passed!!!

We will continue to chip away at the #SecureDC omnibus until all the harmful provisions are stricken!

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

We are so elated that council realized how harmful pretrial is! This gives us more time to gather data on its impact and forges a path for expansion to die at the end of the temporary legislation!!! #SecureDC

[Harriet’s Dreams @HarrietsDreams]

. @CM_McDuffie amendment was approved on pretrial detention Secure DC Omnibus #Crimnibus

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

COME ON MCDUFFIE! We got a pretrial amendment on the books!!!! #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Frumin said “I’ve gotten over 450 emails today”… it’s working, keep emailing!!!! https://t.co/YmMksswMS1

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

No vote on the theft threshold today. McDuffie and Lewis George will work together to get it done for second reading. The amendment was withdrawn. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Instead of penalizing people for being poor, we could redirect resources to ensure that folks have a universal basic income. It’s asinine to believe that lowering the threshold will reduce crime. People are stealing to eat!!

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Council is hearing @CMLewisGeorgeW4 final amendment addressing the lowering of the threshold of retail theft. The national standard is $1000 and JLG’s amendment intends to keep it that way. @brookepintodc plan however, would lower it to $500.

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

And the yes’s have it on expungement and record sealing which actually builds pathways for formerly incarcerated folks to gain employment and housing! 10-3 #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

It’s been 2 years since expungement and records sealing was passed and yet it has not been funded. Today @Janeese4DC proposed an amended that simply funds the law that’s already on the books. Say Yes to this amendment. #SecureDC

[Harriet’s Dreams @HarrietsDreams]

.@CMLewisGeorgeW4 emphasizes the importance of prioritizing rape kits that are currently taking too long to process. If .@CMBrookePinto intends to collect DNA, she suggests obtaining a warrant as required.
Secure DC Omnibus #Crimnibus

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

The amendment passed 9 to 4!!!!! DNA upon arrest will be removed from the legislation! #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Pinto now is asking McDuffie to withdraw his amendment. He has refused and like to see it go to vote. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

@CMBrookePinto just doubled down DNA collection and the hearing room has erupted in jeers from the audience. @ChmnMendelson threatened to clear the chamber if the audience did not come to decorum. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

McDuffie said it plainly, folks should be assumed innocent until proven guilty. And DNA collection infringes on privacy rights. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

@BrianneKNadeau is more concerned about police feeling demoralized when they don’t close cases instead of the people the police actually harm. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

Mendelson and the rest of the council are concerned about a "soft on crime" narrative that has garnered and captured national attention. Elected officials perception in the media should have no bearing on voting yes for this legislation. #SecureDC IS NOT SAFE DC.

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

@ChmnMendelson is encouraging people NOT to vote no but to work on amendments between the first and second vote. Many council members disagree with this approach. #SecureDC

[Courtwatch DC @CourtwatchDC]

A mask causing somebody fear is subjective. This portion of the bill will create an avenue for white people to call the police on Black youth as mentioned by @ZacharyforWard5

[Brandon🇵🇸🟣 @Brey112]

passing a bill because you think it "makes people feel safe" IS NOT THE SAME AS PASSING A BILL THAT MAKES PEOPLE SAFE, THE ILLUSION OF SAFTY DOES NOTHING TO STOP AND PREVENT CRIME

[DC Justice Lab @DCJusticeLab]

Councilmember @CMBrookePinto's Secure DC bill says a lot about whose lives (and $$$) the city values most.

A person faces 10 years for stealing $500 and 3 years for a fourth offense of child sexual abuse.

A person faces more time for taking car keys than for taking a life.