About
- year founded
- 2023
- judges tracked
- 1,390
- reports published
- 15
- state covered
- 1
Mission
Our mission is to make state courts more transparent and accountable.
We use data analysis, AI, and rigorous legal research to turn complex judicial data into clear insights.
What we do
Why state courts
State courts are the primary forums for justice, handling the vast majority of legal cases that shape people’s lives, from criminal prosecutions to family disputes, evictions, and civil claims.
They are far closer to the communities they serve than federal courts, making them uniquely positioned to demonstrate fairness and responsiveness.
Why judicial transparency
Transparency across all branches of government is essential for accountability and public trust. Yet state judiciaries have long operated opaquely, shielding decisions from scrutiny.
Accessible judicial data lets the public see how consistent and fair our courts are, bolstering trust and strengthening accountability.
How we do it
We collect publicly available judicial data and file Freedom of Information Law requests to expand access to information on judges’ activities and court operations.
We analyze decisions, estimate their impacts, and compile findings into reports and a database of judicial profiles.
Where we work
Scrutinize operates in New York, where state courts handle vast caseloads and wield enormous discretion.
But judicial opacity is a nationwide problem.
No independent organization has ever systematically confronted the lack of transparency in state courts.
Scrutinize is the first organization dedicated to publicizing and mitigating this problem.
Team
Oded Oren
A former public defender in the Bronx, Oded is a graduate of Harvard College (magna cum laude) and Harvard Law School (cum laude).
Partners
Funders and accelerators
Research partners
Freedom of Information partners
Recognition
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Winner, 2026
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Bronze, 2025
Careers
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No open positions
Check back, or write to us.
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Don’t see a fit?
We’re always eager to meet technologists, researchers, and advocates who share our mission. If you’re interested in our work but don’t see a matching role, reach out at info@scrutinize.org.
Get in touch
Report an error on a page, ask about the data, or reach us about press, research and partnerships.