Just because you're legally allowed in a courtroom does that mean you should be there? There may be times when your volunteers will want to leave a courtroom on their own
accord or because your volunteer guidelines require it. Compelling reasons to leave a courtroom include:
You know someone involved in the case. Monitoring cases in which you know of or have a relationship with any of the parties creates a conflict of interest you should avoid.
If there is no purpose served by your staying. A WATCH monitor was monitoring a jury selection for a sexual assault trial when a potential juror was asked if he knew anyone who had been a victim of sexual assault. The juror stated that he
would prefer not to answer the question in front of the other jurors. The judge asked the jurors to step outside and, although not asked directly, the WATCH monitor did as well. It felt appropriate to respect the juror's privacy in that
situation.
To give up a seat in a crowded courtroom so that a family member can attend the hearing. If there are already a fair number of people in attendance (at high profile cases for example) it may be more appropriate to leave. Although not reporting their findings back to you, the press and general public serve the monitoring function in those instances.
If you become upset or overwhelmed. Volunteers may choose to leave a hearing if they find the testimony or information too graphic or difficult to hear. We do not want volunteers becoming emotionally overwhelmed in court.
Common sense should prevail in these decisions. If the public is served by your leaving a proceeding, you should. Read more in
Gaining Access to Courts and Court Records.
