Court Visit Report: Observations at San Bernardino Superior Court

This report details a law student's experience at the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The student observed a DUI case, gaining practical knowledge of courtroom procedures, including security checks, courtroom etiquette, and the roles of the judge, defendant, and lawyers. The report emphasizes the importance of evidence in legal proceedings, highlighting a case where the defendant's lack of evidence led to an unfavorable outcome. The student also notes the respectful treatment of the judge and the overall tight security. The court visit provided valuable insights into the practical application of legal concepts and reinforced the importance of maintaining proper decorum within the courtroom. The experience reinforced the student's commitment to the legal field and the pursuit of justice.

Running head: COURT VISIT
Court visit
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author note

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COURT VISIT
For a legal student visiting a court for the first time is always very special because it is
where there future lies. It provides the visitor practical knowledge about how things work in
relation to a real life court system. In addition a practical court visit also provides the visitor the
knowledge in relation to the etiquettes which needs to be maintained in the court room. In this
paper I am going to share my experience with respect to the court visited by me.
I had personally visited the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The motto of the
court states that it exist to protect and preserve rights of others and to give effect to a fair
resolution with respect to all kinds of dispute brought before the court.
I decided to visit the court on Tuesday the 17th of October. The court has various
divisions such as civil, criminal, family law, Juvenile, mental health, probate, small claims and
appeals. Before going to the court I have researched about the rules of the court has provided in
its official website. I visited the civil section of the court because I have particular interest in
civil matters such as the law of contracts and the law of torts.
I visited the S7 court room of the court which was presided by Judge John P. While
entering the court I had to go through various security checks and I was provided with certain
instructions about how to behave inside the court.
The proceedings of the court usually starts at 8:30 a.m and it was no different that day.
Instructions were provided by the sheriff and the case which I witnessed in the court was in
relation to an offence of drunken driving.
Everyone stood up when the judge had entered the court room. The name of the
defendant of the suit was Angela Burton. She had been charged in relation to DUI three times but
had failed to appear before the court. The court had issued warrants along with financial

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penalties for each time such violation has been made by the defendant. She had also not appeared
during the previous hearings and also did not respond to such warrants.
She provided an argument before the court that the reason why she had not been present
during the proceedings was that she had been hospitalized at the time when she was supposed to
appear before the court. However in this particular case the defendant did not have any concrete
evidence to support the argument provided by her. As we know that the court runs on the basis of
evidence. Therefore due to the lack of evidence provided by the defendant she had been order to
be put in custody by the court. It was further stated by the Judge that the trial of the case would
be initiated within one week.
The defendant in this case begged before the court that she is not well and she is saying
the truth. However the judge said the defendant that even if she is saying the truth as there is a
lack of evidence to support the facts provided by her such facts cannot be admitted by the court.
The lawyer in the opposite side was continuously raising objections in relation to the statement
made by the defendant. The defendant in addition requested the judge not to put her in custody as
she has some prior appointments with the doctor and also that she had faced significant
difficulties in getting the appointment. However the judge did not listen to her and order her to
be put in custody.
The court visit was a very knowledge gaining experience for me. I had been taught before
that evidence are very significant in a court proceedings however the practical experience made
me realise the actual importance of strong evidence in relation to a court proceedings.

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I also learn that the court room is no place for stories which cannot be backed up with
proper evidence. I also got to know that significant etiquettes needs to be maintained while a
person is observing a court proceedings such as keeping quiet and switching off mobile phone.
The lawyers were well dressed according to the norms of the court. The judges are treated
in a very respectful manner. I also found that the security of the court is very tight. I would
conclude by stating that this was a very good and crucial experience which actually made me feel
that justice will never be denied to any person in need and in future I can be a part of this system.