Observing in court

Specialties Legal

Published

Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi all!

I have seen it mentioned in several threads - recommendation for us newbies to go to court and observe some cases, use it as an opportunity to meet attorneys, shake hands, give a business card, etc.

So - have been to my local court internet sites, but can not figure out how to know when to go. How do you find out when a personal injury/medical malpractice, etc. case is being tried? Or when one of the attorneys who practices in relevant areas will be at court, even if it is for something else?

I can see it would be exceptionally educational to watch a PI/malpractice case during trial. What have you done to track down court schedules?

Thanks!

Specializes in Preop, Med-Surg, Education, Limited Peds.
Hi all!

I have seen it mentioned in several threads - recommendation for us newbies to go to court and observe some cases, use it as an opportunity to meet attorneys, shake hands, give a business card, etc.

So - have been to my local court internet sites, but can not figure out how to know when to go. How do you find out when a personal injury/medical malpractice, etc. case is being tried? Or when one of the attorneys who practices in relevant areas will be at court, even if it is for something else?

I can see it would be exceptionally educational to watch a PI/malpractice case during trial. What have you done to track down court schedules?

Thanks!

Hi Bluehair. I have been wondering the same thing. I was told to go down to the court and ask to see the docket for the day, pick one and sit in. I tried to find it online without any luck. I'm not sure if they would even let you see the docket. Does anyone know? Don't want to go to the court and look like a total idiot!

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Yes, go to the courthouse and view the dockets. They are public.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I've looked at the dockets online, but all they have are names, case numbers, etc. No details as to what the case is about. Does the court list something more informative for you to see when you get there? Where does one usually find the docket in court? (Obviously I have never been to court, and NEED to go, lol!)

Thanks!

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Look for them either beside each courtroom (for the day's session), or displayed in the clerk office or outside the clerk window. You can also speak with court bailiffs about next session. I have found that many times, online dockets are incomplete and/or inaccurate.

Also, most times cases are added to the docket the morning of the session.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks, Siri! Will give this a whirl!

Specializes in Critical Care.

I decided today to do a 'reconnaisance mission' to the court house. I don't have my marketing materials yet, no business cards, etc. But I decided that didn't matter for what I wanted to accomplish. I just wanted to start 'eating the elephant one bite at a time'. So I got myself spiffied up in professional attire and off I went.

My first bite was to just go and figure out the simple stuff - where do you park, where are the bathrooms, where are the district court rooms vs county court rooms vs traffic court rooms, and most important, where can you get a cup of coffee or tea?! Mission accomplished! The security guy was very friendly. He saw me meandering and asked if he could help. I explained no thank you, I am a Legal Nurse Consultant (that felt good!), I had not been to this court before (true!), just wanted to familiarize myself with the building before I NEEDED to know the lay-out. (He new it was true when my next question was for directions to the ladies room, lol!)

So - for any other newbies like me, I recommend it. I got to read the dockets outside each court room, figure out the general info on them, etc. Some court rooms were empty - slow on Friday's, I guess. Saw one woman, whom I later figured out was an attorney, chatting on her cell. Somehow the experience brought her to my level - a person who gets dressed in professional attire, makes cell calls, and checks on her kids during the day. Not anyone any different than I see at work. Much less intimidating than I would have made things otherwise. Overall it made me feel much more comfortable about the whole thing, and I am sure I will be more confident next time I go with the goal of meeting attorneys.

One bite down...

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Sounds like you chewed on a huge part of the elephant, Bluehair. LOL!! Good job.

Great game plan you had. Next up will be mingling with the attorneys there. Thanks for coming back with an update. This really helps others who are anxious about this part of the marketing aspects.

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