court observation pc1 - copy

7/29/2019 Court Observation Pc1 - Copy

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by:

JABBAR T. DIBAROSAN

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Last Monday, July 30 , 2012 , I visited the RTC Branch Ormoc City.This was my third attempt in visiting a court room. The court had thefunction of giving the public an opportunity in order to presentthemselves. This is so , in order to settle dispute in a right and properway.

So to speak , the court is the place where fair and unbiased trial canbe heard. In the court session that I attended , I observed lot of peoplewith different roles.First, a judge sitting in front in the presence of every one. The judgeis a public official authorized to decide questions brought before thecourt.

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Secondly, the Interpreter sits in the front of thejudge with the bar table. The duty of the courtinterpreter is to serve as a conduit between non English speakers and English speakers. As theyconvert one language to another , interpreter playsa critical role in the administration of justice andmake it possible to ensure the rights of dueprocess.

Third, the prosecutor , the one who will presentthe case again the defendant.

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Fourth, a Defense lawyer or the Public Attorneyswho represent the defendant.

Fifth, the defendant , who is the accused ofcommitting the offense and sits on the bench nearthe police officers who are present all the times forsecurity reasons.

Sixth, the witnesses having important knowledgeabout a case because justice can not be done without witnesses providing evidence for the court toact upon.

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Lastly, the people and themedia who were able to sitin the public gallery to watchand observe the courtproceeding.

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My first observation focuses onhow the lawyers observe andmaintain the canons of professionalresponsibility. As a commonobligation of a lawyer is to appearin court with proper attire. This isso , in order to maintain respectdue to the courts and judicialofficers.Then , the judge always remindsboth parties as regards to theMIRANDA RIGHTS in order to satisfythe court and the constitutionalrequirements that the defendant be

advised at all stages of the criminalprocess.Lastly, I observed that a judgeproperly followed the aspect of

court procedures.

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DOS AND DONTS AS

COURT OBSERVER:

DRESS APPROPRIAtely.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOTALLOWED IN THE COURT ROOM.

BE RESPECTFUL AND

COURTEOUS.

MINIMIZE YOUR VOICE.

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While inside thecourt room,always see to itthat your cellphone is off inorder not todisturb theothers.