Court Observation Summary

Attach any schedules or other materials obtained at the courthouse.

Your name _________________________ Date of visitation ____________ Hours __________

Others from SHS with you _______________________________________________________
Court jurisdiction ___________________________ Criminal or Civil case _________________
Name of Judge _________________________________________________________________

1. Describe the types of cases or case that you observed during your visitation.

2. Describe the physical setting of the courtroom.

3. What was the make-up of the jury and what did you observe about their behavior?

4. Evaluate the way in which the following participants performed their roles: (think about
their behavior, attention, speaking ability, control, strategies etc.)

a. Judge

b. Prosecuting Attorney
 c. Defense Attorney

d. Defendants/Plaintiff/Witnesses

e. Observers (family, reporters, other students etc.)

5. Was a verdict rendered while you were in court? What is your opinion of the verdict? If
no verdict was given what do you think it should have been and why?

6. What questions were not adequately addressed during the time of your visitation? What
questions were raised in your mind about the overall justice system?

7. React to your experience in the courtroom.. what did you learn about our judicial
system?