Students studying Public Services at Bridgwater College were recently given the chance to experience the criminal justice system first-hand, when they visited Bristol Crown Court.

The visit, which compliments some of the units on their course, gave the group the opportunity to meet Judge Horton prior to the commencement of the days’ hearings.  The students were privileged to be able to ask him questions about his career and experience what it would be like to be placed in the witness box, jury box and even the dock.

The rest of the day was spent watching various cases run in different courts, including sentences being handed, fines being issued, and in one instance a verdict being delivered by the jury.

Student, Antonia Wickham said,

“It was a very interesting day, it was a completely new experience for me as I’ve never been to a court before. It really made me think about what is really involved in the criminal justice system.”

Ruth Burrows, Associate Lecturer in Public Services at Bridgwater College said,

“The idea of the visit was to compliment some of the units that the students study such as Police Powers and Crime and Behaviour in the Public Services. Being able to witness the legal system on a first-hand basis really put their theory into perspective. They now have a much clearer understanding of the system and what it would feel to be in the dock, witness box and jury bench.”