Court Observation Narrative Report

COURT OBSERVATION NARRATIVE REPORT PREPARED BY: LORRIE-DEL V. ALBARICO 4 TH YEAR L02 I.

WHEN IN COURT ROOM

It was a rainy morning when I had my first court observation. I was sitting beside the photocopier waiting for what Branch of court will open first and conduct its hearing. While sitting I saw some of my professors in law school wearing their barongs and corporate attires. I smiled recounting the faces of my classmates during our Practice Court class where some of them looked like a chauffeur and others were like attending a wedding. But my silly imagination was interrupted when my classmates arrived and we decided to check some court rooms if they have a hearing. While strolling around, I just discovered that all courts don’t conduct hearings every da y and each branch has its own schedule of hearing. The first court that we visited is the Regional Trial Court Branch 42. Most cases tried and heard in that branch were civil cases and some were criminal cases with civil liability attached. For two hours, we have observed how a lawyer presented himself before the honorable judge and having an excellent oral communication skill is very important. And of course one must be well versed with the Rules of Court which could really be good ammunition during litigation. While the hearing is going on we were so quiet and only our eyes were moving nonstop. We are so thirsty to witness a trial wherein two lawyers will present in court with their witnesses and other evidences. To our dismay most cases were reset to next year if not in the late month of this year. Probably the dockets of the court were really congested with bulk of cases the reason why most cases were decided years after. Thereafter we moved to RTC Branch 45 which is a Family Court. When we entered the room the hearing is already in session and it was full packed. We were sitting at the back and I really admired looking at all the lawyers wishing that someday I may become one of them. I also stared at their clients and I can see that each of them feels that they have a superhero to guard them and to protect their rights and interest, only that it is in exchange of a fee. But what caught my attention are the two men sitting beside us, handcuffed. We are so lucky to witness the promulgation of one accused for the crime of theft where he was acquitted on the ground that the police have not presented any evidence in court. The other prisoner was accused for the crime of acts of lasciviousness and upon knowing that, we got terrified to be seated near him.  Although we did not have an ample time in that branch we learned a lot because most of the cases were very interesting; especially the case of annulment. Finally, we were able to see a cross-examination. Indeed annulment is a painful process especially to those who really valued the sanctity of their marriage which turned out to be chaos. Probably in all court rooms, actions and dramas really happen, that is maybe because what are involved are the life, liberty and property of a person. This made me appreciate more the role of legal profession in the society.