Missouri supreme court honors students travel

Ten Southeast Missouri State University honor students were given a valuable experience when they visited the Missouri Supreme Court in Jefferson City, Mo., on Oct. 7.

The trip gave the students who participated the chance to learn more about Missouri's legal system. Students started off their field trip with a tour of the courthouse and then listened to two presentations from Missouri Supreme Court judge Patricia Breckenridge and Dr. Anthony Simones, manager of judicial education at the Office of State Courts Administrator. These speakers presented a case to the students and then students provided written and oral responses about their views on the issues.

"They were able to rise to the occasion and confidently accept the challenge that was presented to them, and they carefully considered the questions that were posed to them and they articulated their responses in a compelling and convincing manner," professor Dr. Mary Johnson said.

Students also listened to four oral arguments. These arguments were about a variety of issues with real cases that were brought before the court.

Alisha Carter, a student who went on the trip, said she enjoyed seeing the judges in action and hearing both sides of the cases.

"Just seeing this just gives you an opportunity to be like 'Oh, OK, this is how the court system goes, this is what they do, this is how it is and just have a better idea compared to what you see on TV," Carter said.

Qiunan Tang, an honor student from China, was able to get a more in-depth look at the American legal system.

Tang said that the American court system is very different from that of the Chinese court system.

"[In the U.S] we have more space for entities of both parties to debate, argue and cross-examine in U.S. law systems," Tang said. "In China, basically the judge takes the lead of the case. He asks questions, and there is a response. We have less cross-examine, argue and debate in the court, and we usually don't have jury systems to listen to the case."

During the trip, Tang learned that the American legal system is more complex than he originally thought. He also has more of an appreciation for the judges and the work they do.

Carter, who is a criminal justice major, believes that learning how judges make rulings is a valuable lesson that will help her in her career.

"Me knowing the different stages, what you have to go through to be a judge and to be able to think like a judge, and because there may be a time when I have to actually be in the court, or have to testify, or have to provide information, I know exactly how to go about it," Carter said. "I know exactly how to put it in the format for the judges to understand, for them to be on my side."

Tang also thinks that knowing the legal system will help in any profession.

"To see how the legal system works here is very helpful, because any job you have officially you have to go through, you have that," Tang said.

Johnson said the students were invited by the Civic Education Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri to come to the courthouse. Johnson became the first faculty fellow for the Missouri Supreme Court in 2010 and also serves on the committee.

"I have been working very closely with the court," Johnson said. "So it was a natural fit for me to have my students come up to Jefferson City to provide feedback for the materials that the committee is developing and for these students to see the way the court actually functions when they are hearing oral arguments in real cases."

Carter said she enjoyed the trip, and it helped her understand more about her future profession.

"It didn't really make me want to be a judge. At the same time, it made me want go more into criminal justice and be involved in it," Carter said.