Observing court proceedings
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Hi,
In a bid to prepare myself, I'm considering going to observe court proceedings to get a sense of it all. I'm not sure if I want to sit in court when my OH finally gets to that stage. So I was thinking if just going to observe what happens on a random day. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this. I'm just so aware of how naive I am.
Thanks,
Hyacinth
In a bid to prepare myself, I'm considering going to observe court proceedings to get a sense of it all. I'm not sure if I want to sit in court when my OH finally gets to that stage. So I was thinking if just going to observe what happens on a random day. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this. I'm just so aware of how naive I am.
Thanks,
Hyacinth
Hello Hycinth - in a life outside of all of this I volunteer at my local Law Courts supporting witnesses through their day. To train I had to do some hours just observing from the public gallery and I would say that observing was a very good grounding into how things work 'on the day' although I am sure that it's very very different when it's your person standing there in the dock and I still haven't decided if I'm going to accompany my person when the time comes.
I have to liaise with the court usher and also the CPS prosecutor or occasionally the defence solicitor and they are just people doing their jobs really. Likewise the police who attend as witnesses. My main challenge is that I have to swallow my feelings about the police generally and act impartially and be nice to them.
The whole atmosphere of a Law court can feel very sterile and officious right from arriving and having to go through security but once inside it's a bit like being in any government office block, albeit some of the employees wafting around in gowns and rather silly wigs if there's a crown court hearing.I think the main problem would be if you just happened to observe a case that wasn't very pleasant or where there was some kind of upset in the building as emotions can run high and I do see people kicking off and needing restraining by security which is a bit intimidating. But once in the public gallery you can just watch and take it all in, which does feel a bit like watching paint dry at times, but since we were thrown into the process personally I have far more empathy for the other people watching in the gallery with me because they are probably feeling like I know I will feel one day.
One bit of advice if you do go is to make sure you don't leave your phone on as judges don't take kindly to a Michael Buble ringtone blasting out. Not one of my finer moments :) and be aware that security will take any liquids off you (water, perfume, cosmetics) or anything sharp including umbrellas. You do get a receipt and can retrieve them when you leave.
I haven't really given you a clear answer as only you can know your own limits and what might help or make things even more of a worry. Godd luck with whatever you decide.
I have to liaise with the court usher and also the CPS prosecutor or occasionally the defence solicitor and they are just people doing their jobs really. Likewise the police who attend as witnesses. My main challenge is that I have to swallow my feelings about the police generally and act impartially and be nice to them.
The whole atmosphere of a Law court can feel very sterile and officious right from arriving and having to go through security but once inside it's a bit like being in any government office block, albeit some of the employees wafting around in gowns and rather silly wigs if there's a crown court hearing.I think the main problem would be if you just happened to observe a case that wasn't very pleasant or where there was some kind of upset in the building as emotions can run high and I do see people kicking off and needing restraining by security which is a bit intimidating. But once in the public gallery you can just watch and take it all in, which does feel a bit like watching paint dry at times, but since we were thrown into the process personally I have far more empathy for the other people watching in the gallery with me because they are probably feeling like I know I will feel one day.
One bit of advice if you do go is to make sure you don't leave your phone on as judges don't take kindly to a Michael Buble ringtone blasting out. Not one of my finer moments :) and be aware that security will take any liquids off you (water, perfume, cosmetics) or anything sharp including umbrellas. You do get a receipt and can retrieve them when you leave.
I haven't really given you a clear answer as only you can know your own limits and what might help or make things even more of a worry. Godd luck with whatever you decide.