A designated representative of the court should meet them to provide the assistance needed to make the visit meaningful and educational. The office of the court clerk usually handles this assignment. Visitors may expect background information on the court they are visiting. This usually consists of a verbal presentation or printed materials such as a brochure describing the court plus a list of cases scheduled. The simpler the language of these materials, the greater the educational impact.
Visitors expect to be able to observe and hear the proceedings.
The ability of those in attendance to hear and understand is what makes trials public rather than private. The Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court has stated that the Michigan Court System has a responsibility in law- related education and must make public understanding about the law a major priority. In order for a young person to see himself or herself as a part of our unique legal system, students must be positively influenced by the recognized leaders of our system. A judge has the unique opportu-nity to provide this positive influence in the course of a court visit. Open communication is a priority.