Students head to DC courthouse to learn how the justice system works
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Jamylah Summers tried out the seat that belongs to D.C. Superior Court Judge Yvonne Williams Wednesday. She may want to occupy a similar seat one day.
First though, Summers wants to be a public defender.
“They [defendants] shouldn’t just be guilty because of where they come from or culture or skin color or anything,” Summers said for why she’s interested in a legal career after college.
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Summers and her 8th grade classmates from Charles Hart Middle School spent the day at the courthouse, as they learned how the legal system works. It’s part of a continuing program that was started last year that brings 8th graders from D.C. public schools to the courthouse.
“Negative things do happen in this courtroom. People are sent to jail. Children are taken away from homes,” Williams said, as part of the reason for inviting students is to help overcome the negative reputation of appearing in court.
Though field trips like this one offer other opportunities as well.
“They’re able to take what they learn, apply it, get the experience and see how it works in the real world,” said Deyon Johnson who helped organize the trip.
Jayden Lucas’ job during the trip included watching over the inmates who wait to appear in court, like security personnel do. But, Lucas also has his sites set on being a public defender.
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“What I usually see and hear is that people who get the back end of the car don’t get the chance to really have what a paid lawyer does for them,” Lucas said.
He and classmates will get the chance to put what they learned to the test next week. They will handle a mock trial of SpongeBob SquarePants, who’s on trial for the murder of Mr. Krabs.
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