Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Going to court to watch the proceedings

23 replies

Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 17:01

has anyone done this?

Just curious as its something I have wondered about doing and what it was like?

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 26/04/2023 17:11

I went to the magistrates court when I was considering applying to become one. It was interesting, and quite an eye opener. The whole system was depressingly inefficient, people were turning up for their hearings but half the evidence was missing to everything had to be postponed. A complete fucking shambles, and I think it's even worse now.

Hotvimto3 · 26/04/2023 17:11

You can do. Its a public gallery unless closed court due to sensitivity

I work in court. There is a LOT of waiting around and its nothing like on TV. As a spectator with no active role or interest I would find it boring. However could be a good insight/introduction to how court works if it is a career you are looking to pursue.

Original poster
Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 17:22

Thanks, I may well just turn up then and go and sit in the viewing gallery for a bit and see what I think.

It was to get an insight into what happens for my own curiosity really.

I live in a town with a crown court so its easy to get there, if its boring I can leave

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Legal issues
Hotvimto3 · 26/04/2023 18:17

Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 17:22

Thanks, I may well just turn up then and go and sit in the viewing gallery for a bit and see what I think.

It was to get an insight into what happens for my own curiosity really.

I live in a town with a crown court so its easy to get there, if its boring I can leave

Go to Crown, magistrates will bore your tits off ha

Hotvimto3 · 26/04/2023 18:18

TonTonMacoute · 26/04/2023 17:11

I went to the magistrates court when I was considering applying to become one. It was interesting, and quite an eye opener. The whole system was depressingly inefficient, people were turning up for their hearings but half the evidence was missing to everything had to be postponed. A complete fucking shambles, and I think it's even worse now.

Wait till you see family court. Its like a really bad theatre production with devestating impact.

DragonflyLady · 26/04/2023 18:22

I used to do this when I was at college - loved it! Also had to go to court as part of my journalism course. Loved that also and there were some quite dramatic moments!

TonTonMacoute · 26/04/2023 18:31

Hotvimto3 · 26/04/2023 18:18

Wait till you see family court. Its like a really bad theatre production with devestating impact.

Show quote history

Sadly, I can very well imagine. DS got in trouble once, it took over year to sort out, the stress and worry eats into your every waking minute, and it's even worse in the middle of the night.

Original poster
Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 19:24

I didn't think family court was open to viewing?

OP posts:
2bazookas · 26/04/2023 19:27

Yes, I used to take groups of students to the public gallery to watch, very interesting. It was part of a course I taught about their legal rights .

SweetSakura · 26/04/2023 19:28

I go to court occasionally for work, yes there can be a lot of waiting but it is sometimes fascinating.

Recently I had a judge challenge one of my team about why they were watching. I checked in with some judges I know who agreed he shouldn't have done that, so hopefully very few make you feel unwelcome

I always find the court staff helpful if I don't know where to go etc

LER83 · 26/04/2023 19:57

I remember going to watch a case at the Old Bailey as part of my A Level RE course. It was a combination of being really interesting, but also really boring! I still remember it quite clearly though and it was 20+ years ago, so it must have made an impression! We went to the London Dungeons after!

Hotvimto3 · 26/04/2023 20:00

Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 19:24

I didn't think family court was open to viewing?

Its not, i was being facetious sorry

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 26/04/2023 20:06

I go to court for my job.....its really not that interesting most of the time. Occasionally get an interesting case but it's mostly lots of waiting around and watching case after case get adjourned for one reason or another.

Cattenberg · 26/04/2023 20:41

When I was in secondary school (late 90s) a class of us went to the local magistrates court for an hour or so.

I felt a bit sorry for a young man in a suit who’d been caught drink-driving, although I know many MNetters would have had no sympathy whatsoever. Confessing his crime in front of the magistrates and a gallery full of teenagers can’t have been fun. He’d thought he was still capable of handling his car (of course) but was caught weaving about on the road.

He was banned from driving for several months. The magistrates seemed firm, yet almost helpful as they explained exactly when he’d need to apply to get his licence back, in order to drive again as soon as his ban ended. They didn’t berate him or pass judgement on his character as I thought they would.

Next up was a man who’d been charged with stealing various items. He pleaded guilty to most charges but not guilty to one and was told he’d need to return on a later date for a trial on that charge. The man’s (very smelly) girlfriend sat next to me in the public gallery and laughed uproariously while he was making his pleas. I doubt that helped.

Original poster
Whichnumbers · 27/04/2023 20:37

I went

there was a murder trail happening

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 27/04/2023 20:56

there was a murder trail happening

What, you followed him round as he killed off one after another after another?

tobee · 27/04/2023 21:25

How did you find it?

I went to a court (invited by journalist friend) to see a murder trial. I stayed there for the morning. It was a modern court and the room was like a classroom. Not remotely like The Old Bailey for example! The case was murder committed during a robbery.

I was a juror on a case a couple of years ago, witness intimidation.

Both cases were remarkably squalid.

tobee · 27/04/2023 21:25

SinnerBoy · 27/04/2023 20:56

there was a murder trail happening

What, you followed him round as he killed off one after another after another?

Lol

LollipopViolet · 27/04/2023 21:31

I've visited the magistrates' court for work once - not massively interesting but helpful in that work situation.

I've also been present at 2 inquests (both family members of mine). That's brutal - I cried after or during both. The judges were lovely to us but the detail was something I wasn't expecting on either occasion.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 27/04/2023 21:35

Whichnumbers · 26/04/2023 17:22

Thanks, I may well just turn up then and go and sit in the viewing gallery for a bit and see what I think.

It was to get an insight into what happens for my own curiosity really.

I live in a town with a crown court so its easy to get there, if its boring I can leave

Oh just like Blanche from Coronation Street!

Hellocatshome · 27/04/2023 21:37

Incredibly boring and tedious for the most part.

Bobbybobbins · 27/04/2023 22:17

I took a group of sixth form to a magistrate's court session for a general studies visit. The magistrate told off a family member of someone who was 'on trial' and made us all jump.

Original poster
Whichnumbers · 28/04/2023 13:05

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 27/04/2023 21:35

Oh just like Blanche from Coronation Street!

Show quote history

i mistook this for quality street 🤦‍♀️ it’s a tv show! Isn’t know it was about court cases 😂

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page