Anyone who has an hour to kill and has never been in a courtroom, would get an interesting education, and possibly have a bit of entertainment by going to the nearest District or municipal court on any weekday. The vast majority of court proceedings are open to the public and if you can sit for an hour without fiddling with your smart phone or chit chatting with others around you, I find that just watching the comings and goings while the court is in session can be worthwhile.

No one actually gets to see the entire process of those in custody being moved around from cells to courtrooms, attorneys consulting with defendants, defense attorneys consulting with prosecutors, judges hearing issues in chambers, pre-trial and probation interviews and investigations for bond and sentencing recommendations, and jury selection and handling processes. There are many similarities from one court system to the next, however, each District and many individual court divisions within a District have their own little nuances. Watching the arraignment process is different than pre-trial conferences, and they are both different from watching trials, motions, or sentencing hearings.

People who regularly work in the court system get to know one another. It becomes like working in almost any other setting. Despite the fact that defense attorney's, police, prosecutors, court staff and judges all have different roles to perform and while working they may have adversarial roles with one another; they often become friendly with one another and I've been in courtrooms where everyone from the judge to the clerk to the bailiff, to the interpreters seem like they are just hanging out with close personal friends.

Most people who go to court as defendants, only go once or twice in a lifetime. Obviously some people make a habit of going back a bit too frequently. Many people have no idea of what goes on in American courtrooms and what they know is what others tell them and what they see on TV or the movies. It's been said many times, but most courtrooms are not like they are on TV or the movies. It isn't just a job if you do it everyday. For most people who work there, it becomes a significant part of their life.

If you have the time, I suggest you check it out. Besides, it is a much better experience if you go as an observer rather than a defendant.

Be safe.