Tell us about your first week​
Every new process has an introduction, and that is what my first week at the Concord District Court was: an introduction to court procedure and an opportunity to see local citizens exercising their right to a trial. I spent a majority of my first week at the courthouse in the Judge's Lobby (where the judges' offices are). In the Judge's Lobby, I got to have a lot of face time with the judges who sit on the cases that enter the courthouse everyday. Some of the things that I got to do for the judges throughout the week were updating the law library at the courthouse, contacting the district law enforcement personnel (police chief and police prosecutors), and writing letters on behalf of the First Justice, summoning individuals to respond to motions (requests) that have been made by someone else. At the end of the week, I did some administrative work in the clerks office, where I will spending my next week in.
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My favorite part about this internship so far is listening to the cases that come in everyday. In my first week, I heard roughly 135 cases, including, but not limited to, OUI, assault and battery, probation violation, restraining order, and lawsuit cases. While listening to the cases, I learned that each day is designated for specific cases:
Monday - Friday = criminal cases
Tuesday & Thursday = jury trials & small claims trials (Tuesdays only)
Friday = civil trials
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The overall work environment at the courthouse is pretty formal – anyone working at the courthouse in any capacity must be in appropriate business attire, and anyone who has a case must be dressed in a professional and respectful manner. The staff at the courthouse are very professional, but at the same time very outgoing and personable.