On July 8, Boy Scout Troop 146 toured the Jersey City Courthouse as arranged by court mediator Len Watkins, who is a Troop 146 parent.
As part of the requirements for advancement to First Class in the Boy Scouts, a scout is required to “Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, teacher) your constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen.”
The tour began with a review of citizen’s rights and obligations, with particular reference to the Bill of Rights, then got busy observing (and commenting on) various court procedures. Two cases were of particular interest — one involving a domestic violence and dispute and the other involving prosecution for riding the light rail without a ticket.