Kenny Silver: Grade 8

On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the 8th grade went to “witness” The Honorable Stephen J. Bogacz in his courtroom at the Queens County Family Courthouse. In the seventh grade, the students had previously participated in a mock trial in which Judge Bogacz was the judge. To follow up on their mock trial, Judge Bogacz invited the class to a day of watching real cases at the family courthouse where he works.

Unlike on television, only a part of a juvenile delinquency trial is typically done in one day. Because of this, the students only saw a portion of each case. In between cases, they had the opportunity to ask Judge Bogacz questions. He gave insight into the world of law involving minors, or young people under the age of 16. The 8th grade left with much more knowledge in this area of the judicial system and an experience that they will never forget.