College of Law Students Participate in Court Observation Week

More than 80 first-year College of Law students watched court proceedings and got a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system during Court Observation Week beginning on Jan. 29.

Court Observation Week is a mandatory program, exposing students to civil and criminal trials, drug treatment court proceedings, and other judicial proceedings over four days the San Bernardino Justice Center in San Bernardino.

Students also observed probate and mental health-related proceedings at San Bernardino Superior Court inside the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health Clinic in Colton.

They engaged in question and answer sessions with San Bernardino Superior Court judges and staff, as well as the attorneys trying cases.  San Bernardino Court Executive Officer, Nancy Eberhardt, gave students a tour of the courthouse, which included a look at the judges’ chambers.

The event gave students a unique view of the intersection of behavioral health and legal systems.

Court Observation Week is an integral part of the college’s mission “to guide our students in the discovery of law and self as they prepare for the practice of law or other professional careers.”

Nearly all of the College of Law’s faculty also participated in the event.