A Day In Court

My day begins at 9:00am when I go down to court room #202, Part 20. This court room specializes in criminal and traffic cases. In the court house, there are several courtrooms, in which there are different types of parts (Pt. 2, Pt. 5, etc.). It depends on the judge that is assigned to the court room. Once I reach the court room, I say good morning to the court officer appointed. It’s a positive to have respect with the officers, so that they can keep an eye on you–just in case! I sit at the prosecutor’s side of the table. There are two women who sit at the computer (court administrators); they check in those who are here for court and to gather files for the public defender and prosecutor. On the right side of where I sit, there are police officers who are there to appear in court (arresting officers). To my left, that is where the private attorneys sit (to meet with their clients). The judge sits on his bench; he or she has to always remain physically higher than everyone in the court room. The court that I go to on the daily is usually a very busy one. Sometimes, there are not even enough seats for people to sit. Once the prosecutor comes down with all her files, it is time to get to work! She is one of the most organized prosecutors I have ever encountered. She either asks me to make copies of complaints or discoveries. This where I can get a ‘sneak peek’ of what the defendant committed and what the case is revolved around. These cases are not top secret to read, but that is when I have the time to learn about the case. If there is a complaining witness/victim, I take them upstairs to the prosecutor’s office to meet with the victim and witness advocate. Sometimes, the prosecutor asks me to find her bench warrant files for those who do not show up in court, even though they are requested to come. Once the judge knocks on the door, the court administrator announces “all rise,” the judge tells everyone “please be seated.” He goes over his opening statement, which inquires about his policies for the court room, as well as the regulations for those who are to stand up in court. After his opening statements, he gets the ball rolling and calls the first case to come up. Here is where organization in pulling files comes in handy. He often starts with the cases that involve police officers, so they can get back to their work as soon as they can. Although, officers are called first, if there is a need for trial, they will have to remain in court till after every case is called. Trials happen once everyone leaves. Then after the officers leave, it is time for the private attorneys to defend their clients. They may have other cases to cover in the municipal court house, or superior court. After private attorney cases are finished, it is the public defender’s turn to speak on behalf of his clients. Once those defendants who are represented are finished, judge calls those who are not represented by litigation. Around 11:30 am, that is when the judge video conferences with defendants who are incarcerated. They can either be in county jail or another facility. They are represented by the public defender. Since this court is located in Newark, it is a diverse audience of defendants. There needs to be a translator to speak to the defendant, clarifying what the judge is telling them. I have seen Spanish and Portuguese translators so far. If there needs to be a conference between legal administrators and the judge, he will go off the record and discuss cases in his chambers. The entire court proceeding is recorded to confirm what was said is confirmed.

When I am not doing work for the prosecutor in court, I am observing each defendant and complaining witness/victim. Many have respect for when they are speaking to the judge or the prosecutor, but there have definitely been those who are impatient and wishing they were not in court. When the judge asks questions to the defendants, I listen closely to the tone of voice coming from him or her. I look at the body language of every individual also. There are also those who dress professionally and courteously for court, but a majority dress in street wear. I am always wearing business professional attire at work. There are so many different characters in court. Sometimes, it is a cas between two women over a man, there is one who is kind (victim) and the other one (defendant) has an attitude or is blaming the victim. Watching these people in court, it is an interesting atmosphere to be in, especially when in Newark.