Demand Justice: Speak Out for Transparency in San Mateo Family Courts

Demand Justice: Speak Out for Transparency in San Mateo Family Courts

Transparency and accessibility in our courts are not just ideals—they are fundamental rights. Yet, recent changes to court-watching policies in San Mateo County Superior Court have raised serious concerns about public oversight, ADA compliance, and the fairness of the judicial process. These barriers disproportionately impact domestic violence survivors and self-represented litigants, making it harder for them to navigate the system.

We must take action to hold public officials accountable and demand change. Below, you'll find a sample letter that you can copy, paste, fill in the blanks, or use as a template to send to the San Mateo Board of Supervisors, the Domestic

Violence Council, and the ADA Coordinators for the County. Use it to amplify our voice and insist on restored remote access to court proceedings. Don’t forget to CC us at SMFamilyCourtAwareness@proton.me to help document the movement for accountability. Together, we can make a difference.

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SAMPLE LETTER Demanding Court Transparency:

Subject: Urgent Request for Action on Court-Watching Accessibility and ADA Compliance

Your Name

Your Email Address

Date

Attn: San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and DV Council

500 County CenterRedwood City, CA 94063

Dave Pine: dpine@smcgov.org

Noelia Corzo: ncorzo@smcgov.org

Ray Mueller: SMC_SupMueller@smcgov.org 

Warren Slocum: wslocum@smcgov.org

David Canepa: dcanepa@smcgov.org

CC: Tanya Beat: tbeat@smcgov.org

Caiti T. Busch: cbusch@smcgov.org

Brae Hunter: bhunter@smcgov.org

Zhanna Abuel: ZAbuel@smcgov.org

SMFamilyCourtAwareness@proton.me

Dear Board of Supervisors and Members of the Domestic Violence Council,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the lack of transparency and accessibility in the San Mateo County Superior Court’s court-watching policies. These restrictions significantly impact the public’s ability to observe court proceedings remotely, raising serious questions about ADA compliance, constitutional rights, and public accountability.

Transparency in the judicial system is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring fairness in proceedings, particularly for vulnerable populations like domestic violence survivors. The recent limitations on court-watching access and ADA accommodations not only hinder oversight but also violate principles of due process and equal access to justice.

I respectfully urge you to take immediate action to:

1. Advocate for policies that restore remote access to court proceedings for the public, including litigants, advocates, and concerned citizens.

2. Ensure that all court-watching practices align with ADA requirements and constitutional standards for accessibility and fairness.

3. Address these systemic barriers to transparency in a timely and public manner.

To date, I understand that no response has been provided to previous correspondence raising these issues. As a concerned member of the public, I believe this silence is unacceptable given the importance of these concerns. I respectfully request a response by [insert a date, e.g., one week from the letter date] outlining the steps your office will take to address these critical matters.

Please copy San Mateo Family Court Awareness (SMFamilyCourtAwareness@proton.me) on your response so they can continue to document and support advocacy efforts on this issue.

The integrity of our legal system relies on transparency, accountability, and fair access for all. I trust you will treat these concerns with the urgency and attention they deserve.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Your Full Name

Your Contact Information

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