Court Analysis Report

Sandra Thomsen

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Court Analysis Report

This assignment describes my observations of Preliminary hearing, held on January 03, related to a homicide case of Brayan Alejandro Beltranosorio (Case number: 19NF010561A). This case is about a sixteen-year-old boy who was beaten to death. According to coroner’s report, he died from blunt force trauma. Generally, people have the right to attend court proceedings but to a certain limit. Due to certain situations, the court can restrict the public from attending the court session. Students gain additional knowledge of court proceedings by observing the court sessions. Observing the court personnel and judges performing duties are other sources of gaining information as well as motivation for the students. In this way, they have a chance to learn about the hierarchy, working, and procedures of the court. Those who want to adopt a legal career or those who are deciding if they should choose a legal career should attend a court session once at least.

Usually, the line for visitation starts to form before the opening of the court building. Before entering the courtroom, a security officer noted our particular. The list of cases is displayed on the websites of courts, and the visitor can easily access the information in case they wish to attend. It does not require buying a ticket. If the hearing of a major case is scheduled, reporters and camera operators also attend a session for media coverage.

Even though this was my first time attending a court session, I was not nervous but curious to learn about the case. A helper showed me my way to the courtroom. There only fourteen people in the courtroom. In the courtroom, Judge Danny Y. Chun and the police department, along with the lawyers, courtroom deputy, and courtroom reporter, were present. The court session almost started on time. The defense attorney for the defense party was a public defender.

The court followed the common format. It started with the opening statement of the prosecuting and later opening statements of the defense party. After presenting the evidence, both parties usually cross-question the evidence. During these procedures, the environment of the court usually becomes intense at such time as both parties try to prove their point and falsify the claims of others. However, I observed that the courtroom was calm. To my surprise, the public defender did not even try to defend his client.

The facts of the case, as stated in the court, included that the police officer saw the plates of a stolen car. He saw that the car was started using a screwdriver. The owner arrived at the crime scene and told them that it was his truck, which was stolen a week ago. The video captured the suspect, and his identity was revealed when the truck was pulled up at the store. It was revealed that a male was driving the truck.

I learned that the testimony of the police officer was accepted as evidence. The judge decided that they had found enough probable cause and strong evidence. Thus, the court declared the defendant guilty. Next, a new date for the arraignment was announced. It was a learning experience for me.

This case proceeding was a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is conducted after the prosecutor has filed the complaint. The purpose is to find the strength of evidence to request a trial. The only thing that does not make sense to me was why the defense attorney did not defend his client. Overall, the experience was quite educative for me. Students should be encouraged to attend different court levels and a wide range of forums, including supreme county courts, criminal trials magistrates court, tribunals, and the coroner's court.