In order to increase students’ understanding of civics outside the classroom, Robert Foshee, civics teacher, will take two classes downtown to visit the Fresno County Courthouse on Sept. 26.

?I am looking forward to the trip,? Sarah Barnett, ’10, said. ?Hopefully I?ll get to see either a civil or criminal case. Those sound interesting and I want to see how the system works.?

A bailiff will usher the classes around the courtroom then give a presentation about life in the courtroom. Although Foshee leads the classes for the fifth straight year, he claims each trip holds a different experience.

?The students will get to see all the words and customs that we?ve been studying in class used in court,? Foshee said. ?They will also get to examine the confiscated weapons and ask the judge questions after a trial.?

After the bailiff?s presentation, the students wil divide into six groups and sit in on their choice of the following trials: civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate, small claims or traffic. Katelyn Aydelotte, 08, highlights the trip she attended last year.

?I thought it was neat to hear the court judges talk about trials that impacted their lives,? Aydelotte said. ?It was an eye opening experience to be reminded of these people in our community that fight for justice.?

The classes will depart from campus at 8 A.M. and plan to return at approximately 12:00 P.M. They plan to travel by Laidlaw bus to and from the courthouse, and return in time for lunch.