WVU Potomac State College students pursuing a degree and an eventual career in criminal justice stepped out of the classroom for hands-on learning in several recent field trips to area courthouses.
One tour involved the Mineral County Magistrate Court in Keyser, while another involved sitting through proceedings and jury selection at the Allegany County Courthouse in Cumberland. The experiences proved to be invaluable for students who dream of vocations in the pursuit of justice.
“The class visits to courthouses were very enlightening. As somebody who is interested in pursuing a law degree, being able to sit in on two criminal dockets and see how they’re run was a nice experience,” said Criminal Justice major Emma Lee Ludwig. “Additionally, having the chance to talk to some of the prosecutors and defense attorneys allowed me to gain some insight into exactly what the job entailed, which I really enjoyed. Sitting in on two separate criminal dockets allowed me to hear and learn about the different reasons that each defendant was in court, and how different courts and judges handle each situation.”
Similarly, student Atticus Schelling said the trips brought the lessons learned in the classroom into a new light.
“We had a great experience when we went to the courthouse for their docket and jury selection process. The docket was a lot faster than I would've expected, while the jury selection process felt like we were sitting there forever,” he said. “We did get to see a bit of the trial after the process, and I was totally invested in it. The judge stuck around and answered all our questions.”
Anie Ramza, who is also studying criminal justice, said being in the actual environment of a courtroom for the first time was “profound.”
“My visit to the courthouse profoundly reshaped my perspective on the legal field by making the realities of the profession vivid and personal,” she said. “I believe that every criminal justice student should observe the justice system firsthand, as nothing compares to the intensity and atmosphere of a working courtroom.”
Student Michael Hardy said that although his father is an attorney in Mineral County and he has been exposed to courtrooms before, these tours felt a bit different now that he is older and in college.
“Because of those experiences, I already had some familiarity with how courtrooms operate, but what made this visit stand out was being able to see the differences between courts in different states, such as West Virginia and Maryland,” he said. “Even though the overall legal process is similar, the courtroom environment, procedures, and pace can vary depending on the state and the specific court. Watching the judge manage the courtroom and seeing how the proceedings unfolded gave me a new perspective on how the legal system can operate differently from place to place.”
Student Mckenzie Moore said the field trips taught her that various careers exist in the criminal justice system, and she was impressed by the wealth of knowledge people in this profession possess.
“Law school is extremely competitive, so you realize all of the lawyers you see in a courthouse went through at least seven years of school, which is impressive,” she said.
Moore said the most surprising part of the trip for her was the amount of video arraignments being conducted and the number of people who simply defy the court system.
“I think people should be penalized more for not showing up to court,” she said. “I grew up being taught that a courthouse was not a place you want to go. Going on trips like this helps us as students understand what people who choose to work in the criminal justice system have to put up with.”
The field trips were arranged by Dr. Danielle Lessard, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice at WVU Potomac State College.
Dr. Danielle Lessard, assistant professor of criminal justice
“Providing students with opportunities to step outside the classroom and observe the court system in a real-world setting creates a meaningful and lasting impact,” she said. “Experiencing the inner workings of the system firsthand often challenges or reshapes a student’s preconceived notions about what occurs in a courtroom. For some students, this exposure may spark an interest in pursuing law school, while for others it may guide them in a different direction. Regardless of the path they choose, the experience broadens their understanding and deepens their perspective."
Lessard said she is hopeful her classes gained invaluable insight into the inner workings of a courtroom and how and why the wheels of justice seem to sometimes turn slowly.
“Students gain insight into how court systems operate across different jurisdictions and begin to understand that not all courts function in the same way,” she said. “They also benefit from direct interaction with judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys—an opportunity that allows them to ask thoughtful questions and observe varying professional styles.”
Lessard said students can also learn about community-based programs designed to support individuals facing legal and personal challenges, further expanding their awareness of the justice system’s role beyond the courtroom.
“One of the most surprising aspects is the level of enthusiasm students show for these experiences. Despite taking time out of their regular class schedule, they are genuinely engaged and appreciative of the opportunity,” she said. “Their excitement reinforces the value of experiential learning.”
Lessard said, based on the students’ experiences and the willingness of the two local courthouses to engage with the College, she plans to make the field trips to the area courthouses a regular part of her syllabus, with more trips off campus planned for the fall.
“I plan to continue organizing these experiences as I build and maintain connections with local law enforcement and legal professionals. The small class sizes make these trips both feasible and cost-effective, allowing students to benefit from hands-on learning opportunities without placing a financial burden on the institution,” she said.