Featured Law Academy: Fort Hamilton HS

December 16, 2015 – This month, 16 high school students from Fort Hamilton’s Law Academy participated in the Library Lab visit to the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse. The Library Lab is part of the JRC’s Legal Research & Writing course and was created in partnership with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as one of the Federal Court Visits offered to MENTOR schools. Circuit Librarians host students in the courthouse library, give them a tour and overview of legal research,  and guide them through researching a First Amendment case decided by the Second Circuit. During lunch, students meet with a federal judge to discuss the case and the judicial system.  Below are three students’ perspectives from Fort Hamilton’s visit.

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Fort Hamilton HS students research the Guiles v. Marineau case using legal research software tools.

Second Circuit Library Lab Student Perspectives

As we trudged through the metal detectors I was convinced that this experience will have a significant impact on my life. Being one of 14 students selected out of 60, my expectations were different and greater. I have been in courthouses many times prior to the visit. However, I have never had an intimate meeting with a high power law official. To have a judge who plays an important role in society take time to not only speak to us but adhere to our group questions and concerns, displayed how society tends to implement certain rules and regulations toward law enforcement personnel. Society as a whole tends to forget that judges are human and were once high school students like myself. The honesty Honorable Judge Raymond J. Lohier Jr. shared provided an insight to some of the demands this job requires of him, as well as, connect with us to consider the field of law enforcement. Being able to physically visualize one of the many courtrooms and the amount of work provided for each case, I have gained a new level of respect for law-enforcement personnel. From this visit, I understand why courthouses, such as the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse of the Second Circuit, allows high school students the privilege of a tour and lesson from an educated and experienced librarian- society’s stereotype of law enforcement is broken when the new generation has their own knowledge and opinions. I am truly honored and grateful for this experience for I now see law-enforcement through a new perspective – one that cannot be altered since I now know truth from behind the scenes. -Samantha Santana

Having never been to a courthouse my predictions of my experience were mostly based on Law and Order. Following my departure, however, I was in awe of the magnitude of the building and its rich history. From the first steps into the lobby, I was easily overwhelmed by the grandeur. Our educator for the day Eugene led us into what was described as the “crown jewel” of the courthouse: the law library. Being surrounded by seemingly never-ending bookshelves filled with all the knowledge and history of the courts was exhilarating. It was tempting to take all the books I can carry and go into a corner and read them all. Eugene made the experience more interesting by explaining not only the history, but also thoroughly going into depth of the books, the way they are used and how they impact the legal system. This excursion provided an eye-opening look into the inner workings of our courts and I am deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to do so. -Gabriela Lopez

Making this the second year I was able to tour the courthouse I can say I enjoyed this year more. This year it was set up in a more sociable way. We had Eugene our coordinator, who showed us around and led our discussion. He reviewed the overall meaning of law and showed us how lawyers find their information. He showed us the magnificent library filled with thousands of books and volumes on court cases. Then the honorable Judge Lohier took the time to speak to us and show us around the courtroom and behind the scenes. His discussion was very interesting and informative. Overall the trip was an opportunity that I am grateful and honored to have participated in. -Lara Hakim