Experiential Learning Opportunity Offers Firsthand Look at Legal Careers and Courtroom Proceedings
AAMU Students Experience Federal Justice System Through Courthouse Visit
Alabama A&M University students gained firsthand experience with the federal justice system during a recent visit to the federal courthouse in Huntsville, where they met legal professionals, explored career opportunities and participated in a mock trial.
Organized through the University’s Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELO) Program, the visit brought students from the College of Business and Public Affairs and other academic disciplines into a federal courtroom for the program's first mock trial experience in partnership with the federal court system.
Participating criminal justice majors included Akil Barnes, a senior from Stone Mountain, Georgia; Arlisha Bragg, a sophomore from Mobile, Alabama; Jatavia Carson, a junior from Chicago; Nilah Dawson, a junior from Decatur, Illinois; and Zakareya Phillips, a junior from Mobile.
Political science majors included Maddox Frazier, a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama; Symone Higgins, a senior from Florida; Mya Boyd, a senior from Montgomery, Alabama; and Keyierra Cliatt, a senior from Phenix City, Alabama. Amiyah Mount, a sophomore English major with a minor in criminal justice from Riverdale, Georgia, also participated.
During the visit, students met with U.S. Magistrate Judge John H. England III, who provided insight into federal court procedures and the responsibilities of the judiciary.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Spencer Fonte led a courthouse tour, explaining the U.S. Marshals Service’s role in courtroom security and federal law enforcement. He also discussed courthouse operations and challenges associated with government shutdowns.
Students also met practicing attorneys who shared their experiences in law school, discussed career opportunities and offered advice on preparing for the legal profession.
The visit culminated in a mock trial based on a fictional Supreme Court case. Working alongside legal professionals, students assumed courtroom roles, developed arguments and applied legal procedures. The prosecution prevailed following presentations from both sides.
Students review case evidence and prepare their defense with guidance from attorneys during a mock trial exercise.
Sonya Merritt, director of the Experiential Learning Opportunities Program, helped facilitate the visit, which connected classroom instruction with practical experience and career exploration.
Students were selected on a first-come, first-served basis based on their interest in criminal justice and political science.
The inaugural experience also established an opportunity for continued collaboration between Alabama A&M and the federal court system. The ELO Program hopes to expand the partnership and offer similar experiences in the future.
The visit reflects Alabama A&M’s commitment to providing hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in law, public service and related fields.
Students gather for a photo with U.S. Magistrate Judge John H. England III and Sonya Merritt, director of the Experiential Learning Opportunities Program, following a mock trial at the federal courthouse in Huntsville.