The Garfield Heights City Schools hosted Court in the Classroom on Friday, October 20th at 8:45 at the Middle School. The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court began this program in 2014 in order to show 8th graders around the county how a true court case works. The program’s additional purpose is to show young people the consequences of making poor choices. The district thanks Judge Richard A. Bell for leading the program when his entire staff visited.
The 8th graders saw two defendants sentenced to probation for non-violent crimes, and even had the chance to watch them changing their pleas or entering new pleas. The Middle School Cafeteria effectively became a real courtroom, with Judge Bell presiding, as well as defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, 2 sheriff's deputies, the judge's bailiff, and a licensed Court reporter. This event was an excellent opportunity for our 8th grade students to see the firsthand realities of courtrooms. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!