UCLA Law

Join Professor Alicia Virani and OPIP Associate Director Drew Whitcup in a Court Watch session on November 8 and join them for lunch afterward to debrief and discuss what was observed. This activity can take 6 students.

National Lawyers' Guild-LA runs Court Watch LA, a program through which volunteers observe court proceedings, documenting practices that enact serious burdens on low-income individuals, including the many homeless people who are regularly tried in courts, and racial disparities and other egregious behavior toward humans caught in the criminal justice system. Through this volunteer opportunity, students will participate in a Zoom training on November 1, 6:30-8 pm (recording available for those who can't make it), and then will join Professor Virani in doing a Court Watch on November 8.

Volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to continue to participate in Court Watch throughout the year.

Lunch will be provided. The 2-3 hour spent doing court observation will count toward pro bono hours for UCLA Law purposes. Training time may count depending on the students individual circumstances. Lunch time will not count. (But it will be informative and fun!)