Field trip took us inside courthouse

Our government is set up into three sections: there are the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Not long ago, I went on a field trip with my school to explore the legislative branch and judicial branch. We went to the Leon County Courthouse, the Florida Capitol, and the Florida Supreme Court.

Everyone first went to the courthouse. We participated in a mock-trial where each student acted as an attorney, witness, defendant, juror, or what I was, the bailiff. After the attorneys and witnesses gave their cases, the jury went into a back room and deliberated. They then came out with a verdict. The group additionally got to go on a tour of the courthouse.

We also went to the Florida Senate chamber and acted out an issue that would be similar to what the Senate would face. It was a bill that might be about trying to lower the driving age, how teachers are paid, whether or not to discontinue the FCAT test, etc. and we got to ask questions and debate on the topic.

The state Supreme Court was another stop on our trip. We first learned about cases that have faced the Federal Supreme Court and how everything works. Then we got to try it ourselves. There were seven justices, a marshal, a clerk, and four attorneys. I, of course, was a justice. After listening to the facts, we went off to the side and made a final decision for the case.

I was very surprised at how much I learned from this field trip. I found out more about how our government works and got an inside look at the legislative and judicial branches. It was a field trip that I’ll never regret going on!