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Outreach

Educational Programs                                                   

The District of Arizona invites school groups, youth organizations, international guests, and the general public to visit the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse.  Depending on availability, students may be able to tour the courthouse, speak with a judge, observe a trial or court proceeding, or attend a naturalization ceremony. Students may also schedule a virtual discussion with a Judge.

  • Take a tour
    Taking a tour at the federal court can help students better understand court procedure and the roles of those who work in the courts. While students usually cannot visit judges' chambers, they may tour a courtroom and talk to court personnel about how trials and hearings are conducted. If time permits, students may be able to role play certain aspects of court procedure, such as jury selection, in the courtroom.

  • Converse with a Judge or other court personnel
    Many judges are willing to talk to students about their role in the federal courts. Speaking personally to a judge allows students to visualize court procedures and develop an understanding of how the court operates. Other participants in the legal process such as federal prosecutors and public defenders may also be available to speak to students. Preparing a list of questions prior to the visit can ensure students have a productive learning experience.

  • View a live court proceeding
    Often there will be a court session when students are visiting. Most, but not all, of these sessions are open to the public, including groups of students. Proper rules of decorum, including dress codes, must be followed if a class comes to observe a court session.

  • Attend a Naturalization Ceremony
    Please click here to view the Naturalization Ceremony schedule. It is recommended to contact the Court approximately 2 weeks in advance. Ceremonies are typically 30 minutes to 1 hour long.

If you are interested in arranging a visit, please complete the interest form and our Court Outreach Coordinator will follow up with you.

NOTE: Because the courts tend to be very busy, teachers should allow several weeks of lead time when arranging a visit.

How should teachers prepare students before visiting the courts?

The best time to visit a court is during a unit on the judicial system or the rights that the system protects. In this context, students can put their new knowledge to use by observing and interpreting court sessions and learning from judges and other court personnel. In particular, it may be helpful for students to learn about the structure, functions, and procedures of the court before attending. The U.S. Courts website provides a free set of basic lesson plans of the federal judiciary system for educational purposes.