From Classroom to Courtroom: Sixth Formers Step into the World of Criminal Justice

Twelve Sixth Form students were given the opportunity to take part in the ‘Getting Court’ event at Worcester Crown Court last Thursday. This was a unique chance to step inside a working courtroom, observe the UK legal system in action and gain valuable insight for those considering future careers in Law.

Lower Sixth Student, Cerys Hickman, has shared the following report:

“The Crown Court, reserved for the most serious criminal offences, was our home for the morning. After navigating the airport style security where thankfully, from what we could gather, watches appeared to be the main culprits of the many alarms, we had the privilege of meeting His Honour Judge Burbidge.  He graciously allowed us to observe him at work throughout the morning, and we were briefed on his schedule.

In what was a surprise to some, we were able to experience how the move to digital and remote working post-Covid has been embraced by the legal system. The first three items of order were plea hearings, and Judge Burbidge conducted the hearings using Worcester Crown Court’s Cloud Video Platform. He was physically present in the courtroom, the defendants were on video link from prison in Redditch and legal counsel were in a variety of different locations. We were able to observe pleas to the charges of manslaughter, abusive and coercive behaviour towards an ex-partner, and distribution of drugs. This was a far cry from the high passion and shouts of ‘objection’ present in most episodes of your favourite legal drama, but all three cases were successfully and efficiently dealt with using the video platform. It was a valuable insight into how the Justice system is adapting and evolving to the volume of cases it deals with.

A chance to experience the hot seat that was the witness stand followed, and the opportunity to act as both witness and then interrogator – audition tape for an episode of Suits incoming! This brought a fun, hands-on element to the morning and led into the remaining cases on the schedule, being in-person sentencing in the courtroom. This was one of the most sobering elements of the morning as we watched the differing fates of the defendants. One received a community sentence and left the courtroom in the direction of his loved ones, very relieved. We then watched a defendant arrive to court, clutching a holdall with his possessions inside … a 12-month custodial sentence and then the uncomfortable sight of him being led down to the cells beneath. The gravity of the situation was lost on no one who was present.

In an informative debrief with Judge Burbidge afterwards, we were able to learn about guidelines and parameters that are taken into consideration in arriving at a sentence, including prior convictions, demeanour, remorse and the plea entered by the defendant at the beginning of the proceedings.

Concluding our morning was the opportunity to hear first-hand from a former offender about his journey and experience of the UK Justice system. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD in his youth left him vulnerable to poor choices and a drug and alcohol addiction from the age of 11. His path to prison and many others like him, in his view, was inevitable. We left the Crown Court on our walk back to School with much food for thought.

Everyone who participated in this invaluable ‘Getting Court’ event will have gained immense insight that will help shape a potential future legal career. We would like to thank Ian Smith, High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Ian Care for the chance to participate in such a fantastic opportunity.”