Inside The Courtroom: West Babylon Students Explore Legal System Firsthand

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — West Babylon Senior High School students enrolled in Katharine Reilly-Johnson’s college business law classes recently visited Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip for an immersive, hands-on learning experience, according to the West Babylon Union Free School District.

During the visit, students observed the various roles within a courtroom as judges and attorneys explained courtroom procedures, job responsibilities, and the education and training required for each position. Students were encouraged to ask questions throughout the discussion.

The classes also learned how defendants are processed through the court system and were allowed to view the inside of a holding cell. Students then toured the sheriff’s lockup, where criminal defendants are transported before appearing before a judge.

The experience concluded with students observing a criminal arraignment, where they witnessed the formal reading of charges, the entry of pleas, and decisions regarding bail, supervised release, probation, and future court dates.

District officials said the trip provided students with valuable real-world insight into the judicial process and potential careers within the legal system.