Trial Date -- All Rise

If you are both law buffs, spending a few hours at a courthouse watching a trial can be a fascinating adventure. Most trials, even murder trials, are open to the public unless it's a seriously high pro- file case and demand exceeds bench space.

Take it from the co-author of this book who spent many years as a criminal defense attorney: courthouses are full of drama and action, but you need to know the ropes in order to find the good stuff.

For instance, forget going to a municipal court. That's where people are tried for first-time misdemeanors, traffic tickets, dog bite cases and they also hear small claims and family matters. Superior court is where the action is. Also, you might think that the most despicable, vicious, hateful, stomach-turning testimony occurs during murder trials. Not true. Murder is nothing compared to what happens in family court during child custody hearings. Not even we would send you there.

COST

This date is totally free, except for the parking and lunch or coffee if you go to a restaurant afterward.

CRIMINAL VS. CIVIL

Let's face it, it's not exactly an adrenaline pumper watching a homeowner sue a window manufacturer for supplying defective frames, especially when a murder trial is going on just two doors down.

Criminal trials are usually more interesting and move faster than civil trials. In civil trials, people are mostly suing each other or suing a business.

Civil attorneys often get paid by the hour, so the longer they can drag things out, the bigger their paychecks will be. Not so in criminal court, unless it's a high-profile case that's being shown on TV.

HOW TO FIND CRIMINAL TRIALS

The following pages are full of insider information on how to find the most interesting criminal trials.

Look in the phone book under "state government—courts." Then try to find the words "criminal courts" and "felony." They might pop out at you or you may need to spend some time making phone calls. AVOID municipal courts and federal courts as they tend to be boring for casual observers.

On the internet, visit the websites of the National Center for State Courts at www.ncsconline.org and www.courts.net. Both have information about state courts, their locations and phone numbers.

The courts you want will be called by different names in different states: criminal courts, felony courts, circuit courts or superior courts. Call the office of the main court clerk. Ask which courts are the criminal courts that try felony cases.

Some courts have a separate phone number for felony trials. You may be able to obtain the information you need by calling that number or you may want to try calling the bailiff if his or her number is listed. If they are short with you, ask when would be a good time to call back.

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR DATE

Once you find where the criminal courthouse is, go there the day before your date. Check out the list of courtrooms that are trying criminal cases. If you live in a large city, there may be a large number of courtrooms, so pick one and go in.

When there seems to be a lull in the proceedings, approach the officer on duty. This is the uniformed officer who is usually seated in the courtroom. Tell the officer that you are looking for an interesting criminal trial to observe and ask if he or she has any recommendations. The courtroom officers know what's going on throughout the building because they transport the prisoners to and from the holding cells. If the officer is cranky, don't be put off. Just try the next courtroom.

If you are too afraid to go into the courtroom, find the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Go to the criminal window and ask the clerk to recommend a court. If that doesn't work, ask some of the attorneys hanging out in front of the courtrooms if they know of any interesting trials.

Most court employees are more than happy to send you in the right direction if you show an interest in watching a trial. Don't be afraid to tell them you want to see something that's stimulating.

Once you find a trial that seems interesting, walk inside and have a seat. When there is an opportunity, ask the officer on duty if the court will be in session tomorrow and if any interesting witnesses will be testifying. Explain that you want to come back the next day to watch the trial.

Be aware that trials usually don't get started until after 10 a.m. because Judges handle other matters in the morning, like settling their bets with each other following the weekend's football games. Be prepared to go through metal detectors. This can cause quite a delay.

HOW TO BEHAVE WHEN YOU ARE IN COURT

When entering the courtroom the last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself. Close the outer door quietly. Walk in and take a seat, but don't sit in the front rows.

Check out the courtroom and try to identify who is who. The Judge should be wearing a black robe. If the Judge isn't on the bench it may be a good time to find the officer on duty to ask any questions you might have.

There should be at least two attorneys at the table facing the Judge. The prosecutor will usually be seated alone. The Defense attorney will be seated with his or her client. If the client is in custody, he or she may be wearing prison attire.

Once you have some sense of what is going on, you will be able to decide whether to leave and find another court or to wait and see what happens next.

Unless you want to be escorted from the courtroom, it is a good idea to follow these suggestions:

• Never interrupt the court proceedings. Ever.
• Don't talk in court.
• Don't eat or drink in court.
• Don't read in court.
• Dress appropriately. Causal is okay, but you need to look presentable.
• Always be respectful to the court staff.

OTHER RESOURCES

For an interesting and helpful book on the law, check out Handcuff Blues by Toni Johnson, co-author of the Guide To Great Dates. Go to http://www.goofyfootpress.com/wesleyfrancomovie.html. This book explains many aspects of the law in a language and format that is down to earth and easy to read.