High school students from Spencer Center in Cincinnati visited the Potter Stewart United States Courthouse on April 14, where they watched a real court hearing and spoke with a Federal Judge. 

The students also had the opportunity to learn from a Court probation officer and court reporter, a federal prosecutor, and others. Case Administrator Emily Hiltz gave the tour.

Government teacher Joshua Harris said it was a special opportunity for the students. 

"It's great to get out of the classroom and visit places and watch people do the things we are talking about in class," Harris said. 

The students sat in the gallery and watched a hearing in which a defendant previously convicted of a crime was accused of violating the conditions of his release. United States District Judge Matthew W. McFarland presided over the hearing. 

The students watched as the defendant admitted to some of the accusations. They also saw Judge McFarland postpone sentencing because of other good work the defendant has done, such as finding full-time employment. The Judge encouraged the defendant to stay on the right track and ordered him to appear again before him in six months. 

After the hearing, Judge McFarland spoke with the students and answered every question they had about Court procedures, the role of the Judge and others in the courtroom, how he became a Federal Judge, and the importance of the Judiciary.

"I thought it was great that he talked about where he grew up, how 20 years ago he never saw himself as a Federal Judge, and here he is now," Harris said. 

“It’s always a great pleasure to speak to students about the federal court system and let them see justice at work,” Judge McFarland said. “I enjoyed answering their well thought out questions and hopefully inspiring some of them to enter the law as a profession.” 

Harris said some students have approached him and expressed an interest in a career in the Judiciary. He would encourage teachers from other schools to consider a field trip to a federal courthouse. 

"I would recommend this to others, 100%," he said. 

Those interested in organizing a school field trip or bringing a civic group to the federal courthouses in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton can do so by contacting the Clerk of Court's Office.  

• Cincinnati 513-564-7500
• Columbus 614-719-3000
• Dayton 937-512-1400