Fox Valley Court Watch

FVCW is a 5 year old 100% volunteer organization who monitors the judicial process in Domestic Violence courts by observing courtroom proceedings. FVCW is a non profit organization. FVCW observes courtroom proceedings in Kane and Kendall Counties. Volunteers are required to attend one half day court session per month. Volunteers must access the FVCW web site for the court calendar and select the session of interest . Court assignment sessions are a.m. or p.m. The assignment schedule is the a.m. or p.m. session and this is up to the volunteer to select the date and time for their assignment of interest.

 Depending on the number of new volunteer candidates we have 2 to 3 training classes per year.  

FVCW observes courtroom proceedings of bench and jury trials in Kane and Kendall Counties for domestic violence court cases. We sit in the courtrooms of bench and jury trials and observe the proceedings. We submit a report of our observations of the proceedings of the judge, defense and assistant state attorneys, bailiff, police if the defendant is a current prisoner and circuit clerk . A semi annual report is submitted to the District Judge advising of our observations. If the District Judge finds areas of interest the District Judge can and will make changes to improve the courtroom process. We fill in a specific form to identify our observations. A mentor is also available for volunteers particularly new trainees that have completed the training class. We have a once per month general meeting to ask questions and secure additional training . All volunteers are required to attend a minimum of one general meeting each quarter.  A general meeting is typically 90 minutes.  Our Board of Directors also make presentations at various organizations who are involved in Domestic Violence.  Our Board of Directors typically come from our volunteer group.