Court Observation - Duval County Courthouse

Court Observation Paper

Sean M. Smith

Columbia College, NAS Jacksonville

The following paper is an account of my observations at the Duval County Courthouse on Tuesday April 30th, 2013. The paper will cover my observations of two separate courtrooms and the judicial proceedings that occurred in each. Along with the proceedings, I observed defendants, defense attorneys, state prosecutors, the courtroom staff and the people serving on a jury. I will attempt to relate how all of these people worked together to make the judicial process work as smoothly as possible.

On 30 April, 2013 I visited the Duval County Courthouse to observe the judicial proceeding of any court that would allow me access. Let me first say, that if you are not familiar with the area around the courthouse, you will find driving and parking anywhere near the courthouse a challenge. I parked within sight of the courthouse at a public parking garage. The rates were on the expensive side for short term parking. After parking my car, I walked to the courthouse a quarter-mile away. During my transit I noted that there were a lot of people pan-handling for money. I was dressed in a suit with a tie so I looked like I might have money to spare. Surprisingly, I was never asked for money although people all around me were. I found out a long time ago that if you walk with a purpose and meet people in the eye, that pan-handlers will tend to shy away from asking you for money.

I arrived at the security area at 9:20am. I immediately grabbed a basket to empty the contents of my pockets and placed my notebooks in the basket. The security area was efficient, one guard observed my transit through the metal detector while the other guard scanned the items that I placed in the basket. I asked one of the security guards where the nearest information desk was. I was pointed to a desk in the main lobby. As I approached the desk, I noticed that I was being observed by at least two JSO officers on duty. They both did a quick scan of me, my clothing, and what was in my hands, to determine if I was a threat to courthouse security. I had to laugh to myself that the TSA could learn a thing or two from these guys. I asked the officer on duty where the courtrooms were located, he asked which courtroom I was looking for, to which I explained that I was a student assigned to do a court observation for a class paper (this would not be the first time that I would have to explain why I was at the courthouse). I was given directions to the third floor and told to see the bailiff at the top of the stairs. I went to the third floor and asked which courtrooms were in session. I was again asked why I was at the courthouse. After my explanation the bailiff directed me to room 308.

Court in room 308 was already in