A Day In Court Training – w/ Silicon Valley Debug

Come get trained by Silicon Valley Debug on how you can show up at court in support of those facing a bail hearing. You’ll learn about the bail system in California, how to provide court support, and concrete ways that you can help expose how exploitative money bail is in our state.

Everyday, in county courts across the state, decisions are made that dictate the size, scope, and demographic make up of incarceration in California. It’s at first court appearances where one of the most important decisions is rendered — whether someone will be released while going through the court process or asked to pay bail for their freedom. Because bail amounts are often impossible to reach for many, over 60% of our county jail beds in California are occupied by those who haven’t been convicted of a crime, but rather are there simply because they could not afford the bail amount.

Silicon Valley Debug has been at the forefront of the fight to end money bail in California. One tactic is by witnessing, documenting, and sharing stories about the bail system in our state as part of a statewide campaign called “A Day in Court”.

Observing Arraignments and Bail Hearings can be extremely useful for two key reasons:

1. The courtroom dynamics change and is more accountable when community is present.
2. Monitoring and sharing the activities of court actors across the state can give the public an informed snapshot of the California Court System.

Childcare is available during this event. For those in need of childcare services please email policy@surjbayarea.org for more information.

Silicon Valley De-Bug is a community organizing, advocacy, and a multimedia storytelling organization based out of San José, California. Since its’ inception in 2001, De-Bug has been a platform for Silicon Valley’s diverse communities to impact the political, cultural, and social landscape of the region, while also becoming a nationally recognized model for community-based justice work.