About Bench Watch
Bench Watch closes the gap between the courtroom and everyday life. We follow real cases through the courts and tell the stories beyond the headline, from who was harmed to what the record shows and why it matters.
Last updated October 1, 2026
Why Bench Watch exists
Most of us meet a case in a headline. We learn a name and a charge, maybe a verdict, and then the story moves on. The people harmed deserve more than that, and so do the rest of us.
Bench Watch brings the court into everyday life. We follow real cases as they move through the courts and tell you who was harmed, what the record shows and why it matters. We stand in the gap between the courtroom and the people it serves, so you don't have to sit in the gallery to know what happened there.
What we stand for
We witness because it matters. We remember them by name. We stand in solidarity with the people harmed, whether they're women, children, LGBTQ+ people or anyone else. And we advocate for change where we can, which is why we follow the laws written because of these cases.
Not sensationalized. Recognized.
Say Her Name
Say Her Name is our film series about women killed or harmed. Each film tells you who she was, what the record shows and why it matters. You can find every film on our Watch page.
What we cover
We cover criminal trials and sentencings, domestic violence and coercive control, civil rights lawsuits, death penalty cases, wrongful convictions, and the appeals and rulings that follow. We track where each case stands and what the court record shows, and we profile the judges who decide them.
Every fact sourced
Every fact on Bench Watch is sourced, on the page and on screen. Every allegation is attributed to the person or side who made it. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless a jury decides otherwise, and we say so when a jury does decide.
We explain legal terms as we go, open our stories with a short Bench Watch Brief, and link to the court documents so you can read the record yourself. We follow our editorial standards, and when we make a mistake, we correct it openly.
Ownership and funding
By Racheal Blackmore LLC publishes Bench Watch, which began in 2026. Bench Watch is free to read. If we ever take on a sponsor, we'll name it here. Sponsors have no say over our coverage.
Not legal advice
Bench Watch is journalism. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and reading it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. If you need legal help, contact a lawyer or your local legal aid organization.
Contact
Send tips, corrections and questions through our contact page. Our masthead lists the publisher and every way to reach us.