COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

You will be expected to observe criminal proceedings at Maryland Circuit Court and the Maryland District Court.
The court clerk should be able to advise you of the time and location of various cases being heard that week. Any
calls to the clerks are part of your observations and should be noted. It is not necessary to call ahead. There are
hearings usually run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. Note that at times, court may begin later
than 9:00 am and conclude before 5:00 pm

The observation does not require a paper, but students must submit the following typed details to the instructor
regarding their court visit on or before 10/24/17: (The following attachments can be used for electronic submission,
please be certain to include your name, class number, time and date submitted)
Court Attended
Date Attended
Judges name for the courtroom you visited
Times attended
Some notes on the type of cases observed (what type of case, how many cases you observed, outcome, etc.)

You will want to take notes and organize them for the class discussion / presentation on your courtroom
observation.

Your notes should underscore the difficulties of victims, witnesses and defendants: i.e., the general public, to
navigate the intricacies of the criminal courts. For example, if you have trouble finding a courtroom, public
accessibility, imagine how it must be for a poor, undereducated victim, witness or defendant, and include that
observation in your discussion. Likewise, take notice of the proceedings you do not understand and make a
case for what it must be like for the more uninformed parties.

Here are the ideas to help you get organized with your observation notes.

Describe the type of proceedings that you observed. Be as specific as possible.

Describe the courtroom environment. Was it the way you expected it to be? Explain how it did or did not
meet your expectations.
Describe your impressions of the presiding judge - his/her appearance, demeanor, job performance etc.
Give specific examples to support your impressions.
Describe your impressions of the prosecutor his/her appearance, demeanor, job performance, etc. Give
specific examples to support your impressions.
Describe your impressions of the defense attorney his/her appearance, demeanor, job performance, etc.
Give specific examples to support your impressions.
If you observed a jury trial, describe your impressions of the jury. Include any comments you may have
about the makeup of the jury (age, gender, race, and ethnicity) and their appearance and behavior during the
trial. Give specific examples to support your impressions.
Describe any observations you made about the other courtroom observers and court personnel (security,
court reporter, clerk, etc.).
Include any other observations (not covered above) that left a strong impression on you. Include specific
anecdotes if applicable.
What did you learn from this experience about the court process?

Be prepared to cover these topics during your presentation/ discussion October 24, 2016.
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

CRJU 101 - Court Observation Assignment

Total possible points earned = 100

Name ___________________
Section ______

Exceeds Standards Meets Minimal Falls Below Your

Followed All sections completed Standards Standards points:
Most sections Half or less sections
Directions completed completed
30 points
20 points Less than 20 points
Analysis of court Thorough explanation of Explanation of Little thought or
observation learning; complete analysis learning adequate but effort put into
of fairness of verdict. Uses not reflective of analysis
appropriate terminology thoughtful analysis.
regarding defense, case law, Some use of
proceeding, evidence, titles terminology
of persons involved regarding defense,
case law, proceeding,
evidence

45 points 35 points Less than 35point

Typed, well organized notes Typed but Typed but not
Neat/legible for each case, carefully incomplete, organized or
written somewhat organized, complete
but not written very
carefully
25 points 15 points Less than 15 points

TOTAL
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT LOCATIONS

BALTIMORE COUTNY HOWARD COUTNY

Essex District Court Howard County District Court

8914 Kelso Drive 3451 Courthouse Drive
Essex, MD 21221-3135 Ellicott City, MD 21043-4377
410-780-4869 410-461-0200

Towson District Court ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

120 E. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21286-5307 Taylor Multi-Service Center
410-512-2000 7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3756
Catonsville District Court 410-260-1800
900 Walker Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228-5380 Anne Arundel County District Court
410-455-5066 251 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 2140
BALTIMORE CITY 410-260-1370

Borgerding District Court Building CARROLL COUNTY

5800 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-3330 Carroll Courthouse Annex
410-878-8000 55 N. Court Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Eastside District Court Building 410-386-2365
1400 E. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21213-1400
410-878-8500

MARYLAND CIRCUIT COURT LOCATIONS

Circuit County Court for Baltimore County Circuit County Court for Baltimore City
County Courts Building Courthouse East
401 Bosley Avenue 111 N. Calvert Street
Towson, MD 21204 Baltimore, MD 21202
410- 887-2601 410-396-5064

Circuit County Court for Howard County Circuit County Court for Carroll County
Court House Carroll Courthouse Annex
8360 Court Avenue 55 N. Court Street
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043 Westminster, MD 21157
410.313.2111 410-386-2026

Circuit County Court for Anne Arundel County

Court House
7 Church Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21404
410-222-1404
Website: http://www.circuitcourt.org/
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

DISTRICT COURT OBSERVATION

Date of Attendance: Student Name:

Court Attended:

Time of Arrival: Time of Departure:

Name of Presiding Judge:

CASE NUMBER ONE

Charge:

Plea:

__________

Finding:

CASE NUMBER TWO

Charge:

Plea:

__________

Finding:

CASE NUMBER THREE

Charge: _

Plea:

__________

Finding:
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

CASE NUMBER FOUR

Charge:

Plea:

__________

Finding:

Conclusion: Consider fairness, leniency, partiality, expediency, attitude, and decorum

Judge:

States Attorney:

Defense Counsel:

Defendants:

General Comments:
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

CIRCUIT COURT OBSERVATION

Date of Attendance: Student Name:

Court Attended:

Time of Arrival: Time of Departure:

Name of Presiding Judge:

CASE NUMBER ONE

Charge:

Plea:

Finding:

CASE NUMBER TWO

Charge:

Plea:

Finding:

CASE NUMBER THREE

Charge: _

Plea:

Finding:

CASE NUMBER FOUR

Charge:

Plea:

Finding:
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

Conclusion: Consider fairness, leniency, partiality, expediency, attitude, and decorum

Judge:

States Attorney:

Defense Counsel:

Defendants:

General Comments and Comparison to District Court Observation:

 COURT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDE

ADDITIONAL NOTES: