NTIT: Going to Court

Not my trial. I'm just interested in what it's like in the courtrooms.

To be safe I didn't take photos inside the court rooms. Technically I'm allowed, but it's still risky.

I've been wanting to see how it works for a long time and I finally picked a sunny day between M-F and went to downtown - I dined at ncleg Cafe with the state's law makers, and then proceeded to Wake County Justice Center (WCJC, court schedule; most cases are speeding or driving without insurance, be sure to search for murder before going, which was what I did.).

It wasn't what I expected. I thought people would be talking a lot, but most of the time, there was only silence. The judges in black gowns took a lot of time to decide (or whatever they were doing) without getting more inputs from other people.

I see quite a few people in burgundy suits. The attorneys used leather briefcases. I saw many heavily wrinkled (structured) jackets / shirts, which was not very professional.

Hats are not allowed! An officer whispered at me from far away and I took it off.

A courtroom is divided into 3 parts, one is for the judge / officers / clerks, one for the defendants and attorneys, one for people like me. I think most people who were there came for different reasons than mine, and they were involved in the cases.

Part 2 & 3 are seperated by low swinging doors. People in section 2 must rise to speak, for their benefits.

In the 2nd courtroom, the judge (a black woman) decided that the latino defendant deserved a second chance, she told him that she believed that it was a misstep and she wouldn't see him again. I wasn't sure what the case was about since I wasn't there from the beginning, but he got a $400 fine. I think the defendant and his attorney were happy with the result and they thanked each other and shook hands outside the door.

Before the judge started deciding in silence, she asked how he pronounce his name and apologized for previous mispronunciation.