By Joanna Matwiejczyk, @jo_mat14
On Thursday 1 March,
instead of sitting in what should have been my university lecture, I
was eagerly perched on the edge of my seat watching my first court
case; a fine substitute I’d admit. It was
as though an episode of ‘Law and Order’ was being re-enacted
before my very eyes.
Waiting for the case to
commence, I attempted to act as professional as possible. Cue: pen
behind the ear, notebook in hand and reading glasses out. Admittedly
the most cliché image of a journalism student.
As the solicitors
filed in and took their places, the case began; the matter in hand
being attempted rape. With the accused sitting a mere few metres from
me, I subconsciously couldn’t help but feel perturbed.
“An abrasion was
sustained to the left knee, the left
fore-arm sustained bruising, superficial abrasions on the right
shoulder…” – the solicitor talk shook me hard and the
seriousness of the case was beginning to sink in. I was not here
merely to review first-hand the structure of a court case, but also
to review the likes of the justice system.
Having had 3
witnesses called to the stand, the typical ex-wife, neighbour and
girlfriend of the accused, the drama of it all was an aspect I
wouldn’t have predicted before-hand.
Amid the
sophisticatedly robed solicitors and stoic facial expressions around
the room, it was easy to feel out of place, says the girl with her
loud red hair and shabby vintage outfit.
Nevertheless, I had
attracted interest from the solicitors during the break, all of whom
were extremely welcoming and willing to strike up a conversation.
Throughout the case, as I
was observing the court room, it was evident that a trend of receding
hairlines was a popular one. What I once believed to be a court room
myth has in fact been confirmed.
A further bemusing aspect
was the confusion of when or whether to stand, or not to stand? To
bow, or not to bow? To openly drink a can of fanta, or to silently
suffer in dehydration? The many complications of a court room.
Furthermore, what
struck me was how normal the jury looked. I was expecting burly
business men and top hats (or perhaps wishing they’d wear top
hats). In reality, it was as though they’d picked up a group of
people from the local bus stop.
I had also come to
realise that court cases are not as straightforward as I had
previously presumed due to the amount of evidence to sift through,
including phone recordings and doctor’s statements.
The atmosphere was
tense and the approach, professional till the end. Day 1 of court was
completed, and I felt exhilarated from the experience. No doubt I’ll
be back for more.
Copyright
remains with the author.
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