On Friday, April 6, I attended the District of Columbia Superior Court in order to witness the criminal justice system at hand rather than in the classroom or by reading a textbook. I witnessed cases that involved prostitution and cases that involved knives. Moreover, I noticed that the judges were either a man or woman, sitting front and center of the courtroom as they were clothed with an official black robe. I was greeted at the courthouse by security and walked through a metal detector, making sure to take everything out of my pockets. I questioned security on where I can go to watch the trials. I proceeded to the second and third floors where I was allowed to be in the room for a case. I recorded in my notebook what I heard, what I saw,
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In the courtroom sat Judge Harold L. Cushenberry, stood U.S. Attorney Ms.Lu, side to side with attorney Teresa G. Kleima and the accused Ms.Mcmullin. Ms.Mcmullin proved herself guilty due to evidence from the U.S. government from beyond reasonable doubt for prostitution. Ms.Mcmullin expressed interest for an opportunity on blackpage.com from a man that simply asked for a sexual encounter in exchange for $250. At 8:30 p.m. in the Washington Plaza Hotel Ms.Mcmullin was seized for prostitution by a government official. Judge Cushenberry stated this status hearing seemed like an adequate plea offer which then Ms. Mcmullin waived her right and the judge approved. Her lawyer stated that this is her first time in the criminal justice system and she has no criminal history. There was a break and the hushing machine was on. Ms.Mcmullin was to attend a speciality court for youth rehabilitation act for …show more content…
In fact, nearly every trial I sat in on consisted of African Americans or those of Hispanic descent. One of the judges even challenged the victim basically articulating that she hoped that the Hispanic man was not incriminated in the interest of their racial profiling or discrimination and they arrested her because their hair color was more exotoic since it was blue and blonde. After the proceedings and hearings, I apprehended to myself that if there were more advanced or more benefiting early childhood programs with better resources in low income areas than there would be less African American and Hispanics in the criminal justice system. This would result since low income communities are historically African American or Hispanic it would increase education rates, which lead to job opportunities resulting in a better path for life than living a life full of drugs, alcohol, and illegal
In the courtroom sat Judge Harold L. Cushenberry, stood U.S. Attorney Ms.Lu, side to side with attorney Teresa G. Kleima and the accused Ms.Mcmullin. Ms.Mcmullin proved herself guilty due to evidence from the U.S. government from beyond reasonable doubt for prostitution. Ms.Mcmullin expressed interest for an opportunity on blackpage.com from a man that simply asked for a sexual encounter in exchange for $250. At 8:30 p.m. in the Washington Plaza Hotel Ms.Mcmullin was seized for prostitution by a government official. Judge Cushenberry stated this status hearing seemed like an adequate plea offer which then Ms. Mcmullin waived her right and the judge approved. Her lawyer stated that this is her first time in the criminal justice system and she has no criminal history. There was a break and the hushing machine was on. Ms.Mcmullin was to attend a speciality court for youth rehabilitation act for …show more content…
In fact, nearly every trial I sat in on consisted of African Americans or those of Hispanic descent. One of the judges even challenged the victim basically articulating that she hoped that the Hispanic man was not incriminated in the interest of their racial profiling or discrimination and they arrested her because their hair color was more exotoic since it was blue and blonde. After the proceedings and hearings, I apprehended to myself that if there were more advanced or more benefiting early childhood programs with better resources in low income areas than there would be less African American and Hispanics in the criminal justice system. This would result since low income communities are historically African American or Hispanic it would increase education rates, which lead to job opportunities resulting in a better path for life than living a life full of drugs, alcohol, and illegal