Students from Walnut Ridge High School visited the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and got an inside glimpse of the Federal Judiciary and a variety of insights about potential careers.

Students were welcomed to the Joseph P. Kinneary Courthouse by United States District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. They learned about the role of a Judge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Probation Office and Pretrial Services. The students also learned about the Clerk of Court’s Office and its role in managing the Court.

“It was a great way to introduce these kids not only to the Federal Court and the Federal Judicial System, but they also got to see the Executive Branch of the Legislative Branch and how all of it flows together and works together,” Walnut Ridge High School Teacher Jalen Wells said, adding that the lessons learned from the trip to the Courthouse would be hard to replicate in a classroom.

Along with listening to representatives from each office, the students were also given a tour of the Courthouse and got to spend extra time with the U.S. Marshals Service.

David Skiles, who is also a teacher at Walnut Grove High School, said hearing from professionals with decades of experience in their roles with the Court was valuable for the students.

“These are Juniors and Seniors, so we are trying to get our students hearing more about what’s out there,” Skiles said. “Seeing what’s possible for them, what they could do, what they could pursue beyond high school.”

He said the Court has many good careers that he hopes his students consider.