Court Watch Manatee

Court Watch Manatee

Manatee County’s Court Watch Program is located within our Neighborhood Services Department. “Court Watch Manatee” is a county program that is designed to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Manatee County to have a greater voice in the criminal justice process.

The program focuses on sentencing in cases involving repeat criminal offenders. Under the auspices of the Court Watch Coordinator, a diverse, cross-section of community volunteers or “Court Watchers” is recruited and trained to monitor selected cases as these cases make their way through our court system from beginning to end. These court watchers provide feedback to the coordinator. This feedback is analyzed and utilized in such a way as to help identify areas of community concern and advocate appropriate sentences. 

Mission

To ensure an opportunity for a greater community voice in the criminal justice process in neighborhood impact cases involving repeat criminal offenders.

Goals & Objectives

Goals:

• Let offenders know that the community cares greatly and is watching closely

• Support police arrests

• Positively influence outcomes and sentences by encouraging the judiciary to rid our neighborhoods of repeat criminal offenders
  

Objectives:

• To ensure transparency and accountability for the actions of our justice system

• To monitor sentences given to repeat criminal offenders

• To increase public awareness and public trust in our justice system

• To identify any problem patterns or issues with case resolution

How Court Watch Manatee does their job

• Compile detailed information on specific criminal cases

• Make those in the criminal justice system aware of the public interest and concern regarding the outcome of these cases

• Attend all related court proceedings concerning these cases

• Continued analysis and evaluation of the generated data

• Ensure appropriate dissemination of meaningful analysis along with recommendations on ways to improve effectiveness through collaboration with the judiciary, the government, law enforcement and community organizations