Court Watch Montgomery

Over 100,000 adults in Montgomery County are expected to be a survivor of domestic violence at some point in their lives. Our 40 volunteers help make survivors of domestic violence and their children safer by improving the way courts respond to domestic violence.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our effort!

Court Watch Montgomery's more than 40 conscientious volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds believe that every victim of intimate partner violence (IPV) deserves rapid and comprehensive legal protection and respectful treatment by judges, lawyers, bailiffs, and court personnel. We have collected data on more than 10,000 combined civil protective orders and domestic violence criminal cases. We have published numerous reports on our findings that have resulted in life-saving improvements at court.

Becoming involved with Court Watch will not only provide you with the opportunity to connect with the community in a meaningful way but will allow you to witness first-hand how a data-driven nonprofit can create lasting changes to the court system and have a profound impact on the lives of future victims.

Volunteers from our community monitor Montgomery County Court’s civil protective order hearings for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). These observations help identify both what the court is doing well and areas where improvements can lead to greater safety and justice for IPV victims. 

Volunteers court monitors should be available to come to court at least twice a month for a minimum of a year due to the learning curve and training involved. All parts of training are required.

Inclusivity statement: Court Watch strives to be a respectful and inclusive organization. All applicants who are able to complete all parts of training and fulfill the requirements of volunteer roles described in our postings will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, education, employment, or other characteristics. Volunteers are expected to conform to our culture of inclusion when in court and when attending organizational events.