As part of our Journalism course it was suggested it might be a good idea for us to head down to the Ol' Crown Court in Winchester Town Centre. It was also suggested that it would be a good idea to blog about it, this is the result.
The day started like any other Tuesday. Not wanting to wake up when my alarm went, having my breakfast (Cereal and Toast for you food lovers), and heading off down to the Law lecture, today on Defamation (notes to follow soon). We had checked off Court Reporting last week and so with the latest lecture securely fastened in our mind we headed off to the Court, safe in the knowledge that we were unlikely to be done for contempt of court or libel. Would be a particularly bad way to start the course at any rate. The first problem was a very serious and real one. None of us had any clue where it was. Fortunately we had some GPS to help us out and arrived at the courts without having to ask for directions, (well we were 6 guys).
Inside the building the anticipation built. What cases were we likely to see? Would one of us be done for contempt of court? What did the security guards think that 6 confused looking students were doing wandering in off the street? Well all of these questions and more can be answered but after all of us managing to look respectable enough to pass through security, (And it was quite clearly my belt that set the scanners off...) we headed up to the courts.
We chose a court on the stupidest reasoning possible and headed to our first court case. We entered cautiously because we could see the jury just filing in, were we late? Sitting down in the public gallery we could see the accused, the prosecution, the defendant, and the judge. I tried to keep my eyes of the jury, (difficult when one of them seems to be falling asleep) so as not to accidentally 'intimidate' them. Then suddenly it had started, the news came thick and fast, first we found out that a jury member had been removed from the case because they knew the defendants friends father... I think. Then the actual case began, testimonies from Forensic Scientists, real evidence in a bag (oh it's just like on the telly box). The Judge wrote down almost everything that was said whilst a lady typed faster than Mach 4 in front of him. The Prosecution began with some forensic evidence from a note which allegedly had the DNA of the defendant on it. After a short while and some explanation of Alleles (Thank you GCSE Chemistry) the suggestion was made apparent that the defendant had indeed handled the note. This would be the end of it if it were not for the defence lawyer who stepped up next to attack the points the prosecution had made. I have never really been interested in the courts before but as I turned to my side and saw that the others were as in awe of the process and the pure news that was pouring out of the court.
We left after the second testimony convinced that Court Reporting was the real thing when it came to reporting. There was no messing around in there, it was just news, plain and simple, (as were the 4 papers I then bought). Unfortunately, it was about half 12 and we were a long way from our flats and houses. This meant only one thing. Pizza Hut. Lunch Buffet. All you can eat. Sounds like a challenge to me.
We took All you can eat to its logical conclusion whereby I didn't have to eat again for the rest of the day. I really did eat all I physically could. the thought behind this was that as poor, starving students; to make our money back we would have to eat at least one pizza and a bit. With that in mind we all ate as much as possible and waddled off back to History and Context, (Lecture notes of which will follow soon along with Law notes).
Not a bad day really.
great stuff
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