Name: Aamir Punjwani Class Date/Time T/Th 2:30 pm – 3:45pm CRN___________
Court Visit Report
Required Format
I. Identification of the court (2 points each)
Name of court – Richard B. Russell
Street Address - 75 Spring St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Presiding Judge – Adan J. Barveman
Date/time you arrived/time you left – 10am – 12pm
II. Description of court visit: (2 points each)
Case name – USA vs. Pierce
Civil or Criminal case – Criminal
Stage of proceeding (jury selection, witness being examined, etc.) – Evidentiary Hearing
III. Describe what you observed. Explain what you think the case was about. Explain the roles of the participants (judge, other court personnel, lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors). (50 points) I observed …show more content…
Investigator Baldwin testified about his meeting of the defendant and the statement that Mr. Defendant gave regarding the felonies in question. Observed defense gesture for a trial order of discharge and a conversation between the judge and the attorneys regarding the instructions to be given to the jury before they deliberated. The judge appeared to have things well under control in his courtroom and kept the proceedings moving forward efficiently. He spoke softly so it was really hard to hear him in the courtroom. The prosecutor provided a difference to the defense attorney. She was very confident and really rude. She did not rearrange papers or take long pauses during questioning to consult her notes. She simply asked questions in a very direct, concise way. Ms. Prosecutor looked very professional in a conservative business suit and heels. Her appearance in no way detracted from her performance. I was, quite frankly, very unimpressed with Mr. Litigator. He appeared disorganized and unconfident of himself. He spent a lot of time rearranging papers between questions, which caused huge distraction during the questioning. He spoke in a monotone and so low that I had to hassle …show more content…
I ended up sitting alone in my corner, which made me feel a bit awkward, because there were no other spectators in the room. The prosecutor had a box with physical evidence in plastic and paper bags. This court watch reinforced my impression from a previous experience that a lot of what goes on in the courtroom is extremely boring. I think that I was left with that impression in part because the defense attorney's cross-examination was so dull. Even he seemed to lose interest in what he was doing! I found it surprising that Mr. Defendant chose to go to trial, when he had confessed to the police. I wondered if perhaps he decided to take his chances at trial, even though he had little chance of winning, simply because the D.A. did not offer a “reasonable” plea
Court Visit Report
Required Format
I. Identification of the court (2 points each)
Name of court – Richard B. Russell
Street Address - 75 Spring St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Presiding Judge – Adan J. Barveman
Date/time you arrived/time you left – 10am – 12pm
II. Description of court visit: (2 points each)
Case name – USA vs. Pierce
Civil or Criminal case – Criminal
Stage of proceeding (jury selection, witness being examined, etc.) – Evidentiary Hearing
III. Describe what you observed. Explain what you think the case was about. Explain the roles of the participants (judge, other court personnel, lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors). (50 points) I observed …show more content…
Investigator Baldwin testified about his meeting of the defendant and the statement that Mr. Defendant gave regarding the felonies in question. Observed defense gesture for a trial order of discharge and a conversation between the judge and the attorneys regarding the instructions to be given to the jury before they deliberated. The judge appeared to have things well under control in his courtroom and kept the proceedings moving forward efficiently. He spoke softly so it was really hard to hear him in the courtroom. The prosecutor provided a difference to the defense attorney. She was very confident and really rude. She did not rearrange papers or take long pauses during questioning to consult her notes. She simply asked questions in a very direct, concise way. Ms. Prosecutor looked very professional in a conservative business suit and heels. Her appearance in no way detracted from her performance. I was, quite frankly, very unimpressed with Mr. Litigator. He appeared disorganized and unconfident of himself. He spent a lot of time rearranging papers between questions, which caused huge distraction during the questioning. He spoke in a monotone and so low that I had to hassle …show more content…
I ended up sitting alone in my corner, which made me feel a bit awkward, because there were no other spectators in the room. The prosecutor had a box with physical evidence in plastic and paper bags. This court watch reinforced my impression from a previous experience that a lot of what goes on in the courtroom is extremely boring. I think that I was left with that impression in part because the defense attorney's cross-examination was so dull. Even he seemed to lose interest in what he was doing! I found it surprising that Mr. Defendant chose to go to trial, when he had confessed to the police. I wondered if perhaps he decided to take his chances at trial, even though he had little chance of winning, simply because the D.A. did not offer a “reasonable” plea