Review of Scouting

The scouting last Monday went very well. We started by walking through town and visiting the old family court space off of Spring Street in Martinsburg. Paulette was shocked. We continued to the old John Street space which was used for Magistrate Court in Berkeley County until the new courthouse was constructed. During our stroll, Paulette filmed me offering my commentary--I hadn't fully anticipated this.

The courthouse was filled with excitement. Judge Sanders, who has agreed to be interviewed, was on the bench with arraignments. We watched for a while and then he took a short break to meet with us. He's excited about the project and we are planning to film his interview in Charles Town. He tells us about a project he worked on years ago involving courthouses.

On the way out, we run into a probation officer. We talk for a while and she fills us in on what it was like when her offices were located in the old Johns Street Building.

We talk with a bailiff. A clear early theme is the issue of respect for the court and security-at least with those interviewed.

We stop then at the prosecutor's office and find a few young attorneys. One described the situation on John Street during a jury trial as being horrible.

With a little over an hour to go, we scout out the "old" court house. Here we run into a wonderful man who was a litigant in a jury trial in that courthouse. He works for the clerk, and election day is tomorrow, but he is willing to tell us his story about his very short jury trial. He liked the arrangement of the bench and the jury--and described it as making him feel like his matter was being addressed in a fashion that was important and respectful.

At last, we reached the famous women's witness room. Again, Paulette interviewed me about some cases that I had and how important this space became for justice. While we were talking, Maria, who has worked in the building for thirty years comes in. She describes this room as a "sanctuary" which has been important to her for years. Paulette and I joke that we've come to make a film about architecture and justice and we are making a film about a bathroom.

Before Paullette is fully acclimated, we have one more stop. Patterson's Drug Store for an ammonia coke. Yum.