Humanities

Supreme Court - Year 12 Legal Studies Excursion

Order In the Court! By Lillian Bissell

This week year 12 legal studies students took a day away from the classroom and headed to the Victorian Supreme court. The students had an early start for the journey into the city where they would spend their day. They started with a tour around the courts. Students then had a meet and greet Q&A with former Justice Harper when we learnt about life within and around the courts. Justice Harper answered questions about cases he has been judge for and what he loved about the job in one of their civil courts. Students were then able to sit in on a murder trial case before it was adjourned until the next day. Students sat in the court room and observed the case listening to all of the facts and arguments presented.

Students were then allowed to go into the State Court Library to browse artifacts and books for the use of legal practitioners and university students studying law. We then sat in another murder trial listening to the facts before that case was also adjourned. Then students were allowed to enter the court room for a talk with Justice Tinney where we were given an extensive run down of the current case including potential forensic evidence. In an exclusive one-time opportunity students were allowed to go into the jury room where the jury procedures were explained. Overall, all students had a day full of fun and memories to last a lifetime. Many students reported the excursion had enhanced their learning as they were able to be in an actual court room. What a great day!