The Courts & Trials 5th Day course visited the Eagleton Federal Courthouse last week. Students observed a sentencing hearing that was presided over by Judge Catherine D. Perry (U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri), whose children went to Crossroads (we love our Crossroads community!). The course then met with the Assistant US Attorney and Assistant Federal Public Defender who delivered arguments about sentencing in that case for a Q&A. Finally, students got to go to the top floor of the courthouse, which houses the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. To close the visit, the group met with the Clerk of Court for the Eighth Circuit and got to spend some time in their En Banc Courtroom.
Today, the Courts & Trials course visited the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton. Jim Guest (parent of Claire ’21 and Andrew ’19) helped arrange a meeting with Judge Mondonna Ghasedi for our students. Communications Director John O’Sullivan also gave students a tour of the courthouse and the justice center, and students also got to meet a prosecutor for the city of Clayton. These opportunities to see the court system up close wouldn’t have been possible without our Crossroads parents, especially the parents of alumni who continue to be involved long after their students have graduated. Upon reflecting on their experience, many students in this course are considering law careers. What an enlightening, college and career-prep experience!