Brite Star Courts "A Trip to the Courthouse"

A Trip to the Courthouse A Brite Star Courts Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher ISBN Paperback

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“Good morning class! Is everyone looking forward to visiting the Brite Star Courthouse today?” Ms. Betty asked. All the students were very excited to tour the Courthouse.

Mr. Emerson greeted the students as they climbed on the bus for the ride to the Courthouse.

When the bus arrived at the Courthouse Judge Blue, Lawyer Blue and Officer Dan were waiting for them. The students noticed a man in handcuffs being walked into the jail by another police officer.

“Oh boy, that guy is in trouble!” said Alexander.

Some of the students looked around nervously. “Are wegoing inside the jail, Officer Dan?” asked Miles.

“We’ll do that later, Miles. We’re saving best for last,” said Officer Dan. “First, let’s go inside the Courthouse,” said Lawyer Blue.

Illustration Class following adults to the courthouse doors

Karen stopped as she got to the door. “Umm, that’s a scary looking machine, ” she said.

“Nothing to fear. There’s a machine like that at the Brite Star airport,” said Hudson.

“This machine is for security. It makes sure no one brings anything inside the Courthouse that could hurt people,” explained Officer Dan. The class walked through the security machine one by one. Then they sawa big board with lots of numbers on it.

“That looks like the wall at the airport that shows flight times and gates,” said Alexander.

“It does kind of look like that,” said Judge Blue. “But this one shows the number of the courtroom where eachcasewillbe heard.”

The students looked around as they walked down the hall. They sawa big wall filled with pictures.

“All of these people are wearing a robe like Judge Blue wears,” said Missy.

“Yes, these people are judges in Brite Star,”said Judge Blue. “Each one took the same oath of conduct I took.”

“I bet the one on the top is the boss,” said Miles.

“He is a Supreme Court Judge for Brite Star which means he kind of is the boss,” said Judge Blue.

“My picture will be up there one day,” said Sam.

Judge Blue led the students into her Courtroom – Courtroom 9. “Why don’t you all have a seat over there,” she said. She pointed to a couple of rows of chairs.

“This is where the Jury sits,” said Lawyer Blue as the students settled in.

“That’s awesome,” Miles said, looking at the Judges bench at the front of the room.

“Yes, and look at those flags. One of them is our American flag! How cool is that?” said Alexander.

“Now class, weare going to do something fun,” said Judge Blue.

“Pay attention. This will also be part of a class project I’ll announce at the end of our tour today,” said Ms. Betty.

“Lets begin with a judge,” said Judge Blue to Ms. Betty.

The kids wondered whatJudge Blue wasup to.

They were excited to see whatwasnext.

“Here’s the plan,” Judge Blue said. “We are going to replace all the people who work in my courtroom with you students. Now, remember whatyou learned when wecame to your class?

Judges are elected. So let’s begin by electing a judge,” she said.

“That’s easy. The smartest person should be judge,” said Jimmy.

Everyone shouted, “Hudson!”

“No, Sam wantsto be on the Big Court someday so she should get the practice. I’d like to be a lawyer,”saidHudson.

“Looks like wehave Judge Sam and Lawyer Hudson,” said Judge Blue.

“Let’s fill our last lawyer spot,” said Lawyer Blue.

“Brett wantsto follow in his Mom and Dad’s footsteps and be a lawyer that works helping those that can’t afford lawyers,” said Sam. “That’s called working pro bono. That’s Latin for volunteering or working for free,” said Lawyer Blue.

“That’s very nice, Brett. Youwill be the defendant’s lawyer and Hudson will be the plaintiff’s lawyer,”said Lawyer Blue. He directed Brett and Hudson to their desks.

“We’re almost finished,” said Lawyer Blue. “We need a court reporter. Would you like that job, Liz?”

“There’s one more important role to fill -- the Court Marshal,” said Officer Dan. “The Court Marshal’s job is to makesure everybody behaves properly.”

“That leaves Miles out,” said Alexander. There waslots of giggling about that.

“Landon, when you visited the police station, you said you wanted to be a police officer. So, you be our Marshal,” said Officer Dan. “All the rest of you will serve as the jury,” said Lawyer Blue.

“We now have a fully staffed courtroom and jury. We are ready for our first trial,” said Judge Blue.

“Today weare going to have a bank robbery trial.

I know the perfect characters for these roles,” said Officer Dan. “Alexander and Miles you’ll be our bank robbers.”

Everyone laughed when Jimmyshouted, “Put them in the clink.”

“Remember a person is innocent until proven guilty,” said Judge Blue. “Take Over Judge Sam.” “Let’s hear your opening statements,” Judge Sam said to the lawyers.

Judge Blue, Lawyer Blue and Officer Dan helped the lawyers with their presentations. The class had fun and, of course, they found Alexander and Miles guilty.

The Brite Star class had one last stop before going back to school.

“Alexander and Miles, let’s see whathappens when real bank robbers get caught and Judge Blue finds them guilty,” said Officer Dan. He led the students on a tour of Brite Star Jail. The whole class went inside a cell.

“Boy this is even smaller than the room I share with Chucky at home,” said Alexander.

“This is not the place you want to find yourself,” said Officer Dan. “No way, I’m walking a straight and narrow path from now on,” said Miles.

The Brite Star kids said goodbye to Judge Blue, Lawyer Blue and Officer Dan and got on Mr. Emerson’s bus.

“Have fun with your nextclass project,” said Judge Blue. Everyone wondered whatJudge Blue wastalking about.

Backat school, Ms. Betty explained, “We have our court team now, so here’s the nextproject.

Once a month wewill have Brite Star Kids Court where all disputes will be handled. Judge Blue and Lawyer Blue will stop by to see how you’re honoring the jobs you’ve been given.”

“Will wehave a real jail?” asked Alexander.

“There will be no clink for us, but I’ll come up with something as punishment,” said Ms. Betty.

Think About It 1. What is the machinefor that’s at the door of the Courthouse?

2. What does the wall withall the numbers on it tell people?

3. Who are the people in the wall of pictures?

4. Which Brite Starstudent waschosen to be judge?

5. What does the Court Marshaldo?

Let’s Work Together!

How canan average citizen participate in a court trial? By serving on a jury!

Lawyers and judges have to study the law and pass a test to do their jobs but regular citizens make up a jury to fairly decide court cases.

Iwill . . .

• Always try to obey thelaw.

• Learn to be fair and make wise decisions as a judge mustdo.

• Do my best to respect police officers and others whowork to keep our town safe.

Be respectful to police officers and as you grow up learn about the law.

Think about whether you might like to be a police officer, lawyer or judge when you grow up.