Court and Community

A person who wishes to observe a court in session in U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico may check the court's calendar online or at the courthouse and watch a proceeding. Our Constitution and court tradition give citizens right of access to court proceedings. Citizens gain confidence in the courts by seeing judicial work in action, and learn first-hand how the judicial system works. 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico is open to scheduled visits from schools, children and youth groups, non-profit organizations, and other groups interested in learning about the court system, jury service and careers in the federal court. Teachers are invited to schedule a visit by sending email message in advance to the Clerk's Office specifying the name of the school or organization and telephone number. The personnel in the Clerk’s Office can help teachers select an appropriate date for a class visit and can even find out what cases are on the docket if students wish to observe a court session. The Clerk's Office staff also will provide important logistical information, such as parking, for court visits. Some questions you may want to ask the clerk’s office:

• How many students may I bring to the court at one time?
• Which days and times are best to bring students to the court?
• What can my students do at the court?
• If we come to see a specific case and it settles, is there a back-up activity we might do?
• What web resources should we review before the visit?
• What are the rules of court decorum and dress the students must follow?
• Are there any judges who would be willing to speak to students? Prosecutors? Public defenders? Other court personnel? How can I set up a meeting with them?