Assignment task:
In Week, you will be asked to describe your visit to court! Everyone should make an attempt to visit a local, county, or state court during a time when a trial can be observed. You may call the clerk's office, explaining your assignment politely and succinctly, and asking for recommended dates and times.
Ideally, you will find a trial that is short enough to be observed in its entirety. Even better, you might find one utilizing an expert witness, or even a psychologist as the expert witness!
Please learn appropriate courtroom decorum by observation, and please behave accordingly. You do not need to dress up, but neither should you dress down. Sloppy or suggestive clothing is inappropriate. Do not bring weapons, food or drink, or cell phones into the courthouse. Be quiet and unobtrusive.
Alternate Assignment: If you cannot make time during the work day to observe a trial, you may read an account of a trial, such as (1) A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr (1996), or (2) an account of the workings of a justice system, such as No Matter How Loud I Shout: A Year in the Life of Juvenile Court by E. Humes (1996).
Other written accounts (non-fiction) or televised trials (which can sometimes be found on Court TV may be substituted (check with Instructor!) Other possible choices include A Trial by Jury by D. G. Burnett (2001), Subway Gunman: A Juror's Account of the Bernard Goetz Trial by Mark Lesley, et al. (1988).
Your assignment in Week 4 will be to post a 2-3 paragraph response to your trial (or alternate assignment). Don't summarize! Just tell us what stood out for you, what surprised you, or something you learned. Please, use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as correct APA format when you cite anything published. Need Assignment Help?
Resources/References:
Greene, E., & Heilbrun, K. (2019). Wrightsman's psychology and the legal system (9th ed.). Cengage.
Chapter 1, "Psychology and the Law: Choices and Role"
Chapter 2, "The Legal System: Issues, Structure, and Prayers"
Greenberg, S. A., Shuman, D. W. (1997). Irreconcilable conflict between therapeutic and forensic roles. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 28(1), 50-57