by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
In an effort to educate the public on the functions of the judicial system, staffers at the Duval County Courthouse regularly give tours of the building. Wednesday morning’s tour, however, was a special one.
Students enrolled in the Transition Program at the Webb Center, a non-profit organization assisting individuals with mental or physical disabilities, paid a visit.
“Right now we’re in a unit designed to teach the students about the U.S. government, so that’s why we chose the courthouse,” said Emma Lorenzetti, a program manager at the center. “The students really do learn more by actively and visually observing, and it’s also good for them to get out of the classroom. We try to go out around twice a month.”
Other field trips taken by the group — individual ages range from 18 to 30 — have included stops at the U.S. Post Office, the University of North Florida and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority offices.
“We try to teach the students a variety of individual living skills,” said Lorenzetti. “But our ultimate goal is that we may eventually see them living on their own in an apartment or in an assisted-living center with individuals like them. Most students stay with the program for a year or two.”
Following a brief explanation on a how to run a trial, Circuit Court Judge Lance Day answered the students’ questions, some of which had him “putting [his] thinking cap on.
“I think it’s important for everyone to feel comfortable inside the courtroom,” said Day. “Most people never come to the courthouse unless something dramatic is happening in their life so I can tell they get nervous. I try to remind them that it really is their courthouse and their courtroom. I tell the jurors the same thing.”
Day added he was more than willing to play teacher for a day.
“I’m happy to help out when it’s requested of me,” he said. “I can remember when I was younger and we would take trips to City Hall how beneficial it was for me and the other students. This is something that I would love to continue. I really enjoyed myself and I’ve gotten a better idea of what the center is trying to accomplish.”
Lorenzetti and others from the group said they too were pleased with the events of the day.
“I think it went really well,” she said. “The students seemed really interested and it’s wonderful that they were even asking questions. I know they were all a little nervous before we got there so it was nice that they could see a real life courtroom as opposed to what they see on television. Now, I think they better understand that it is not there to hurt them. It’s there to help them.”