In observing justice in the courtroom, would you say that what you saw was the IDEAL of justice being DONE or the PROCESS of justice being MANAGED?
Make reference to specific cases and contrast and compare the outcomes to support your claims.
When visiting court
Take extensive descriptive notes
Reflect & extend those note after visit
How many lawyers? Private or government lawyers? Are they representing themselves? How does that influence what happens in the court room?
The observational/descriptive field notes should include:
The date, time, location of fieldwork (court)
Numbered pages
A record of specific details & facts
Who were there? What charges/laws are discussed?
Approximate transcription of conversations & language.
Sensory details & images
What do you see? Who is where? How do they dress?
What evidence is involved in the case?
What evidence is presented? How? By whom?
What is the function of the evidence in relation to argument?
Requirement for expanded field notes
After returning from the court the session of reflective/ analytical field note should include:
Questions/ key points that arise as possible focus for your case study report.
Points of focus for your argument in the court report
Summary in understanding justice done or managed you need to reflect upon:
Element of process in play in the courtroom?
Who is doing what and why?
When in court make sure you take a note of:
The role of the judge in the courtroom
The power of judge to control proceeding
What kind of conclusion do they reach or trying to reach?
How does the judge fit into overall process?
Are they doing justice fairly or managing justice through the establish process?
How does what you are seeing relate to the types of justice outlines by Christie in the article? Then from your observations of what is happening? Unpack and discuss the process weighted against the ideal?
NO FOOT NOTES!
Follow the Sociology Reference Guide
https://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/department_of_sociology/current_students/undergraduate/useful_links/sociology_reference_guide/
Use Google scholar
Australian institute of criminology
Use theories such as
– Revenge
– Retribution
– Restitution
– Reparation
– Restoration
also secondary data to support the argument in your court report.
Details of the type of court, date
Atleast 2 cases
