A personal visit ro a court in this semester - Article Example

A Visit to the Court I made a visit to West Lafayette court on Monday13th April 20, to make observations about how court proceedings are carried out. As I and other visitors entered the court, I noticed several messages on the wall warning people not to enter the courtroom with sharp objects, video cameras and voice recorders. We were then subjected to a full body search by security guards who ran metal detectors along our bodies. They were kind enough to explain to us that the search was for security reasons and we should not feel violated.

As part of the screening procedure, all our car keys, mobile phones and coins were removed and placed in a tray that went through a scanner. After the search, we were allowed to walk freely into the courtroom. I approached the receptionist and explained to her that my visit was part of my coursework, after which I was to write a report. She directed me to the six courtrooms available and told me to select one. I chose the first courtroom and sat at the public gallery with other members of the public who were there to watch the proceedings.

Inside the courtroom, the public gallery was a portion at the back with stadium like seats.The barristers and solicitors sat in the middle area and the Judge in a raised box at the front.On the right was the defendant’s box and on the left was the claimant’s. I sat at the back facing the judge. The case in hearing was one about a stolen car. This case involved the claimant’s car was stolen from a parking outside a supermarket. The defendant on the other hand claimed he bought the same car legally from a local dealer.

The claimant was the first to give an account of the events that led to the disappearance of his vehicle. He said that he had parked his car outside the supermarket and went inside to shop. After shopping, he came out only to find his car missing. He immediately rushed to the police station to report the incident. The car was found two weeks later driven by the defendant but under different registration. Soon after the claimant had finished narrating his ordeal, the defendant claimed he was not a thief and that he had just bought the said car from a local dealer.

He presented all formal registration documents to prove he was the owner of the vehicle. The claimant’s barrister insisted that the defendant was aware that the car was stolen and participated in forgery of new documents. The defendant denied that and had to answer a series of questions from the claimant’s barrister as he was cross examined. After the defendant’s examination, his brother came to the witness stand and claimed he was present when the defendant bought the car. The judge asked him several questions pertaining to the case and finally summarized the case saying that the car in question was a different car from the one lost by the claimant.

Both parties seemed satisfied.From my experience at the court, the judicial system is fair and transparent.