community outreach

Presiding Judge Cynthia Ming-mei Lee (center) hosts a delegation from the Beijing High People's Court in September 2012.

The San Francisco Superior Court hosts many foreign delegations of visitors eager to learn more about the American justice system and the trial courts in California. Delegations often visit from China, Japan, Korea and Australia. Foreign delegations bring their own translator and observe court proceedings and visit with San Francisco Superior Court Judges who answer their questions about the justice system in California.

Day in Court Program for San Francisco Schoolchildren

In cooperation with the San Francisco Superior Court, The Day in Court Program, under the direction of the Barristers' Club of San Francisco, takes students from the classroom to the courtroom, allowing them to witness first-hand the trial of civil cases.

(photo left) Judge Curtis E.A. Karnow meets with San Francisco schoolchildren in his courtroom after answering their questions during a trip to the Civic Center Courthouse.

Tours take place at the San Francisco County Courthouse located at 400 McAllister Street and are led by tour guides who are practicing attorneys. Each tour accomodates 50-60 students and takes place on Thursday mornings throughout the school year.  Judges

Judges meet with the students at the end of their visit to answer any questions they may have about the judicial system.

Judge Karnow has recently edited a valuable resource for students based on real questions Judges have received from students during visits to the San Francisco Superior Court. The book, What's Your Weirdest Case? Judges Answer Questions on the Courts, is a valuable resource for students, teachers or anyone seeking answers to the most commonly-asked questions about the courts and serving as a Judge.