Power Dynamics in Queens Courthouse: An Ethnographic Study - Essay Sample

Introduction

Ethnographic studies allow the researcher to observe participants in their natural state. Therefore, a researcher identifies a detailed picture of the respondents and identifies issues unique to the respondents. The following essay is a result of my ethnographic study of the Queens Courthouse and the expression of power through language within the courthouse.

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Part 1

The courthouse is between 88th and 89th Avenues on Sutphin Boulevard. The courthouse is accessible via public transport means such as the bus and train. The courthouse is within a three-block radius of the train stop at the intersection of Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue. Several buses are stopping along the boulevard. The courthouse was built in 1874, and therefore it has neo-English architectural styles. Furthermore, metered parking is available to commuters using private means. The first thing that captures your attention as you walk towards the building is its height. The courthouse is five floors high, with gray bricks making up its walls with huge windows. At the top of the stairs, there are four pillars, two on each side, that lead you to the entrance. Beside the stairs is a rump that allows disabled persons to access the building easily. The grounds around the courthouse are well manicured, with several trees. As you walk towards the court entrance, you notice the benches next to the courthouse. People waiting for their cases to be called wait on these benches. As a reminder to anyone who might doubt the stature of the building, its title, CIVIL COURT, is engraved at the top of the entrance. The building is genuinely intimidating.

To gain access to the courthouse, all visitors have to go through several security checks. Items that can become weapons such as scissors needles are not allowed inside the building. Additionally, drugs are not permitted within the building. To identify these items, visitors go through metal detectors. However, before going through them, they have to empty their pockets-the detectors beep when metal goes through the detectors. Considering the large number of clothing accessories that have metal in them, such as cufflinks, belts, and earrings, the courthouse must witness long queues on busy days. Visitors carrying bags and suitcases have to pass them through an x-ray machine.

After going through the security checks, one notices the floor plan on the wall. The plan indicates the floors and the type of courts serving on each level. Besides, the floor plan is a set of four elevators, with one specifically meant for people with disabilities. These elevators access all the floors as well as the basement. On the opposite side is a set of stairs that access the levels. However, it is up to the visitors to decide their preferred means of accessing the courts.

On each floor, a hallway branches off into different courtrooms and offices. Lawyers and litigants move freely in the hallways. However, a security guard orders them to keep their voices low if their chatter interrupts court proceedings. Once one accesses a courtroom, you notice the bench in the middle of the courtroom. The chair is elevated from the rest of the floor. A hammer and the judge's plaque are on the bench. The wall behind the judge has the justice balance symbol. Behind the seat, slightly to the right, the judge accesses the court through an entrance. Immediately in front of the bench is a small table. The court clerk uses this table. The court clerk roles include taking notes and keeping the court's diary. Next to the clerk's desk is the interpreters' box. In the case of language disparities, an interpreter occupies this position while translating for the court. On the left-hand side of the judge, there is a witness box. The witness box is elevated; however, it is lower than the judge's bench. A few feet from the chair, to the extreme right, is the jury box. Several feet from the clerk's table are two benches. The defendants and their legal teams occupy the table on the right, while the prosecution occupies the table on the left. Behind the legal tables, there is a public gallery. It is from here that I will follow the court proceedings. However, between the gallery and the legal table, there is a wall, a meter high with a door in the middle.

Courtroom Roles

Several people are in the courtroom. These include the judge, prosecution, defense, court marshal, jurors, clerk, interpreter, accusers, and defenders. The judge controls the courtroom and guides the debate. Additionally, the judge protects the constitution by determining the legality of arguments, documents presented to the court. In case a jury is sitting, the judge advises them on laws. The panel listens to the evidence and decides, in the case of a criminal court, if the accused is guilty or innocent. In civil cases, the jury determines the liability of the defendant. The prosecution represents the state while the accused can represent themselves, hire their defense team, or have the court provide a lawyer. The court marshals maintain law and order within the courtroom. They are responsible for bringing in defendants and taking them from court after their trial. Furthermore, they handover documents to the judge during a court session and call out cases. The translator is not always in court. They attend court in case of a language barrier between the parties in court.

To signal the beginning of court proceedings, the court officer calls the court to order and announces the entry of the judge. The rest of the courtroom stands immediately. The judge gives a slight bow and sits, upon which everybody takes their sits. The officer calls out the case number, and the attorneys take their positions.

The judge is wearing a white shirt with a navy blue tie. Additionally, he has a black robe that stops just above the ankles. The defense counsel is in a navy blue coat with black trousers. He pairs this attire with a white shirt, black tie, and brown shoes. The prosecutor is wearing a dark jacket, an orange top, black pair of trousers, and red heels. The court marshals have police uniforms from the New York Police Department, with the initials NYPD at the front. The defendants were in different clothes. They varied from casual jeans and t-shirts to dark suits. On the bench, the judge had an authoritative voice. Members of the public had different fashion styles as well. From his tone, it was clear he did not expect any games from the counsel or interruptions from the gallery. The lawyers would discuss amongst themselves while perusing their documents. However, one had the feeling that the conversations were difficult to follow from the blank faces on the majority of the clients. As the cases progressed, the audience in the public gallery would also change. This change was because; most of them had come to support a friend or a family member. After the hearing, they would leave, and a different group would walk in. However, observing the audience, one could guess the party an audience member was supporting. For example, a young man was offered bail pending the hearing of his case. However, the bond was too high for the family to raise. The family members, who had been following the proceedings silently, suddenly raised a raucous within the courtroom. The judge had to bang his grovel several times before the audience relaxed. The judge issued a warning to them; however, he did not change the bail despite pleas from the defense attorney.

Cases vary according to the period it would take the court to determine them. In one example, the defense and prosecution appear with their clients and tell the judge that they have a compromise. The defendant offers to engage in community service for a month rather than go through a hearing. The judge confirmed with all parties, and the case was closed, all in less than thirty minutes. Conversely, some situations would drug out, and I could see the frustration in the eyes of the defendants and the audience following the proceedings. Some clients would speak directly to the judges due to anger. However, the judge would advise the lawyers to keep their clients in check because it is illegal for a client to speak directly to the court. Lawyers and clients who were late for the court sittings would often receive a warning from the judges, or their cases would be deferred.

Observing civil and criminal cases drew me to the conclusion that court proceedings are more or less a ceremony. Each party is aware of their role. However, despite the change in personnel, personality, and case, they all follow a similar pattern. At the end of a case, the judges would allow a few minutes' break to enable the audience to leave as well as allowing the attorneys to take their positions. The prosecutions and accusers would present their arguments before the defense. Clients did not address the court directly.

Additionally, there are common keywords in all courts. These include liability, due process, expert witness, bail, hearing, and an acquittal. It was intriguing to watch attorneys share jokes outside the courtroom after going against each other in the courtroom. However, this camaraderie would not extend to the clients. Some would carry their legal battles outside the courtroom.

The majority of the exchanges in the courts have a formal tone. The attorneys referred to each other as "my fellow counsel or learned friend." Clients were referred to as plaintiffs, defendants, or accusers. "Your honor" would refer to judges. While the attorneys could move around the court when making their presentations, they had to seek the judge's approval before approaching him. Furthermore, judges did not encourage attorneys to use their personal feelings and opinions. The formal tone would also cover the witnesses. They did not address the judges directly, and they could only answer the questions posed by the lawyers. Witnesses who use slang often had to repeat their statements in formal English at the request of the lawyers and judge. However, the court does not limit them to use English. For example, a Hispanic man put on trial for being in the country illegally. However, he could not respond adequately to the questions in English. The judge postponed the case for a week to allow the court to find a suitable translator. The precise nature of courts makes it difficult for the majority of the audience to follow the proceedings.

The body language of the parties in the court would convey their feelings. Defendants who were receiving their sentences were often nervous and fidgety. Some would tap their fingers on the tables and rub their hands on clothes severally. Additionally, parties going through the court process for the first time appeared to in a daze. The court orderlies had to push them into the court. When responding, they would often stutter, and their voices would drown before making their statements in full. Attorneys had similar responses. Some would bow and meditate before the proceedings as a means of cooling their nerves. Lawyers would whisper and write notes between themselves and their clients. When whispering, they would lean in and cup their mouths. This act was an attempt to keep their conversations private. Sentences could also change the party's demeanor. A defendant would have a blank face while entering the courtroom; however, after a proper conviction, they would either cry or hug their attorneys.

From the courts' design, it was clear that the judges were the overall authority. The elevated position of the bench and its place in the middle allows the judge to see everyone. Their unique attire would signify their jurisdiction. However, judges had different personalities. During breaks, some judges would engage the lawyers and court staff in friendly conversations. A few of the judges were aloo...