Spending a day or two in court Forum

[gregfootball2001]

0L here. I thought that since I won't be working too hard for the next few months, it would be interesting to go and spend a day or two watching in a local court. Any recommendations for what court to go to? Would I need to call and ask about scheduling, if I go to a higher state court? Thanks for all the help.

[splbagel]

If you have an immigration court near you, that can be interesting. Just make sure you go for individual hearings; master calendar is pretty boring. More info: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/press/2010/ ... 092010.htm

[Br3v]

You could walk in and find your way to a case pretty easily

[Renzo]

It can be really interesting, or really boring depending on the court and the day. You probably don't want to go to federal court, not much interesting goes on there. I recommend you go to your state court at or about 9:30 and see if there's an information desk, or even just someone at the metal detector you can talk to for a second, and tell them what you are there for. Usually they will be able to tell you if there is an interesting trial going on, or at least point you to the rooms where you are likely to see some action.

And, don't think all the action is in the courtrooms; if you can find a court where there are lots of civil actions, you'll likely get to see a lot of what lawyers really do--find each other in the hallway and negotiate motions, continuances, settlements, etc.

[ran12]

It can be really interesting, or really boring depending on the court and the day. You probably don't want to go to federal court, not much interesting goes on there. I recommend you go to your state court at or about 9:30 and see if there's an information desk, or even just someone at the metal detector you can talk to for a second, and tell them what you are there for. Usually they will be able to tell you if there is an interesting trial going on, or at least point you to the rooms where you are likely to see some action.

And, don't think all the action is in the courtrooms; if you can find a court where there are lots of civil actions, you'll likely get to see a lot of what lawyers really do--find each other in the hallway and negotiate motions, continuances, settlements, etc.

I interned at the DA's office as a 0L and I agree with this. The guards always know what's going on and will prob have a schedule of cases. Criminal cases are really good or bad depending on the judge. They basically set the tone of the hearing or trial. One thing to remember is that court never starts on time.

[reasonable_man]

It can be really interesting, or really boring depending on the court and the day. You probably don't want to go to federal court, not much interesting goes on there. I recommend you go to your state court at or about 9:30 and see if there's an information desk, or even just someone at the metal detector you can talk to for a second, and tell them what you are there for. Usually they will be able to tell you if there is an interesting trial going on, or at least point you to the rooms where you are likely to see some action.

And, don't think all the action is in the courtrooms; if you can find a court where there are lots of civil actions, you'll likely get to see a lot of what lawyers really do--find each other in the hallway and negotiate motions, continuances, settlements, etc.

TITCR - Though Federal Court can be interesting (it really depends which one you go to and your personal interests). EDNY with a good criminal trial can be interesting...

[Renzo]

It can be really interesting, or really boring depending on the court and the day. You probably don't want to go to federal court, not much interesting goes on there. I recommend you go to your state court at or about 9:30 and see if there's an information desk, or even just someone at the metal detector you can talk to for a second, and tell them what you are there for. Usually they will be able to tell you if there is an interesting trial going on, or at least point you to the rooms where you are likely to see some action.

And, don't think all the action is in the courtrooms; if you can find a court where there are lots of civil actions, you'll likely get to see a lot of what lawyers really do--find each other in the hallway and negotiate motions, continuances, settlements, etc.

TITCR - Though Federal Court can be interesting (it really depends which one you go to and your personal interests). EDNY with a good criminal trial can be interesting...

I guess I could have been clearer; some of the most interesting things ever happen in Federal court, but it's hard to just pick a random day, walk in, and see something interesting. Odds are better that you'll see 12 preliminary conferences, 4 plea allocutions, and a social security case.