A legal observer, or LO, is a third party who observes an event at which police or government officials may be involved in misconduct. Legal observers are typically present at protests, demonstrations, and marches to watch for police irregularities, but they may also be present to observe elections and other events. A legal observer’s mission is to protect ordinary citizens’ rights ensuring that they are treated fairly and are not subjected to undue pressure, discrimination, or abuse.
Legal observers appear to have first appeared in England in the 1930s, when workers protesting various factory tactics realized the value of having legal observers on hand. The presence of these observers, who were usually lawyers or advanced legal students, was sometimes enough to prevent misconduct.
A legal observer usually works for a non-partisan human rights organization. He or she could be a practicing lawyer or a law student. Legal observers typically attend a workshop that explains the fundamentals of their work and equips them with forms, cameras, and other tools to document events. Legal observers are also clearly identified special clothing or signage, indicating that they are observers rather than participants in the event.
Problems are kept in mind legal observers. They speak up if they see or suspect wrongdoing, and they also assist people in dealing with police and government officials. A legal observer will not intervene to prevent arrests during an unpermitted march, but he or she will ensure that the prisoners are treated properly police officers, and the legal observer may provide arrested people with contact information so that they can seek legal assistance.
Legal observers generally follow a strict code of ethics. They don’t get physically involved, and they try to stay non-aggressive and law-abiding at all times. Every incident is meticulously recorded with as much detail as possible so that the legal observer’s notes can be used in future criminal or civil proceedings, and the legal observer makes every effort to work cooperatively with all parties involved to ensure that the event runs smoothly. People are less likely to engage in misconduct when they know their actions will be recorded, so simply having legal observers present is often enough to ensure that things go smoothly.
Legal observers may be required law or the court in some cases to ensure that an event runs smoothly. Legal observers may be provided a foreign government or appointed the court in these cases in order to reduce the risk of bias.