Evictions Court Watch

Members of First Meridian Street and St. Luke’s United Methodist Churches, with advisor Fran Quigley, Clinical Professor at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law; Director of Health and Human Rights Clinic, have organized an Evictions Court Watch. The name is descriptive - people sit in Evictions Court to watch and document the proceedings. They monitor for fairness, civility, and as advocates for those at risk of losing their homes.

Hoosier families who rent their homes have long been at a huge disadvantage when they go to a court where the landlord has a lawyer and they don’t, and the judge often seems more interested in moving cases along than making sure their rights are protected. But sunshine is the best disinfectant. That means the minute a watcher walks in the door of the courtroom, tenants immediately have a much better chance of being treated fairly. Time is crucial. If a judge delays eviction even by two weeks, evictees have time to seek financial assistance and get legal help.

To help formalize the Evictions Court Watch, Hale Crumley, Coalition Coordinator for Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition at Prosperity Indiana is finalizing a printable court watching toolkit. This will give any reader an overview of the eviction process in Indiana and the specifics on court watching. HHNC is set to announce the toolkit at the next Housing Advocacy Summit and GIMA will make that link available on our website, social media pages, and in the September newsletter.

GIMA encourages area congregations to organize their own court watch teams. Let’s hold the courts accountable and remind them they are dealing with people’s lives.

If you’re ready to form a Court Watch team, contact Aaron Spiegel for more information.