Students from a Columbus-area school watched a naturalization ceremony and real court hearings during a field trip to the Joseph P. Kinneary Courthouse.

Eighth graders from Tree of Life High School spent the day at the Courthouse learning from Judges, a United States Attorney Assistant Prosecutor, a defense attorney, the United States Marshals Service, and representatives of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

While at the Courthouse on April 9, about 65 students toured the courthouse including the historic courtroom, watched a criminal initial appearance, an arraignment, and a civil trial. They watched a U.S. Marshal bomb dog demonstration and spoke to staff about all that goes into running a federal court.

They also met with United States Magistrate Judges Chelsey M. Vascura and Norah McCann King and participated in a mock trial themselves.

Any teacher or civic organization that would like to bring a group to visit the courthouse can contact Public Information Officer Parker Perry at Parker_Perry@ohsd.uscourts.gov