Courtroom in the Classroom Program
The Courtroom in the Classroom Program is the Ninth
District Court of Appeals' educational outreach program. It provides
high school students in Lorain, Medina, Summit, and Wayne Counties with
hands-on experience in how the Ohio judicial system works and illustrates
how disputes are resolved in a democratic society. The Judges travel
to high schools to hear oral arguments at each location. These are not
mock or simulated oral arguments. These are actual oral arguments
involving real cases pending before the Court that will lead to a
decision from the Court.
The Judges enjoy traveling to different high schools,
meeting a diverse mix of students, and educating the public about their
work. Cases are chosen by specifically targeting the interests of
students.
Court visit schedule
Oral arguments are held in the morning. The formal
event begins with opening remarks welcoming the audience and explaining the
format of the proceedings. The Court normally hears six oral arguments
during each session, but, to accommodate the needs of a school, the judges
generally hear a
reduced schedule of cases. The Court can attempt to arrange a
question and answer session between the students and participating lawyers
after the oral arguments. The entire visit generally lasts no more
than three hours.
Benefits to the school
The Courtroom in the Classroom
Program provides a unique learning opportunity
for all involved. The Court brings the judicial process to students
who might otherwise never witness it in action. This provides
a chance for teachers and students to witness actual court cases and view
the appellate process in progress. It is also an opportunity for students to
meet and interact with lawyers and judges. The Court will provide the
school with background information about the Court, the specific cases to be
argued, and teaching materials to prepare the students for the
visit.
The Judges hope to visit schools where there is interest
by school teachers, students, and administrators. The Court's goal is
to expose as many students and communities to our program as possible.
The Court will also return to schools it has already visited, especially if
significant time has passed since the last visit. You can learn more
about the Court's past visits by clicking here.
School requirements
The most important requirement is that
the teachers and students be interested in and excited about the visit.
The Court will provide the school with information about the cases to be
argued and with curricular material for teachers to use when talking with
students about the Court's visit. The school is responsible for
preparing the students so they can get the most out of the visit.
The Court will need an area in which it can hold oral
arguments. The Court's basic needs are a place for three judges to
sit, preferably on a raised platform, two tables for attorneys to sit during
the oral argument, and a podium. The judges also require a room in
which they can meet before and after the oral arguments. The Court
would also want to make arrangements for a security officer to be present
during the oral arguments.
The Court asks that a representative of
the school serve as the school's liaison with the Court. This person
will need to make sure that the area used for oral arguments is ready and
meets the Court's requirements. The Court will take care of setting
the cases and contacting the lawyers. The Court does not expect the
school to incur any significant expenses for the visit.
Benefits to the students
The students will enjoy this experience
of a lifetime. Among countless benefits, we expect that your students
will learn the importance of the rule of law. They will see how our
democratic society resolves disputes. They will experience the
appellate process firsthand. They will learn about the role and
responsibilities of judges. They will learn about courtroom etiquette
and how attorneys argue without being argumentative. These are but a
few of the benefits to students who can participate in this program.
Of course, there is a benefit to the judges and attorneys.
The judges enjoy meeting the students and hearing their comments about the
process and talking about the judicial process in Ohio. And the
attorneys enjoy talking with students about their cases, how they became
attorneys, and how they prepared for the oral argument.
Want to learn more?
To learn more about the Courtroom in the Classroom
Program, contact the Court Administrator, C. Michael Walsh, at (330) 643-2250
or
cmwalsh@ninth.courts.state.oh.us. We can discuss arrangements to
bring the Court to your school. |
