Court visits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Court visits - Essay Example The young girl kept her head bent down all throughout the cross-examination and seemed to avoid eye-contact. She looked so nervous and helpless, as if she was not ready for the lawyer’s cross examination. Her appearance is pathetic, as if she could not defend herself. The judge seemed to take pity on her. The case hearing was later adjourned to another date. While I observed the whole scenario, I cannot help but feel for the young girl because she seemed to be having difficulty as she answered the questions of the lawyer. Her posture was bent, manifesting a low self-confidence and perhaps, embarrassment at having to be cross-examined by a knowledgeable adult. I did not have enough information about the case. I only knew she was being accused of the murder of a young man. As I listened, I felt I needed to see the whole picture so that I can fully understand her situation. I see that she is a teenager. She’s just a child, and too young to be convicted of murder. I wanted to know her story and the details of the case. I tried to empathize with her and put myself in her shoes. If she was guilty, what could have driven her to commit such a beastly act? If she was innocent, then the whole process of the court hearing becomes useless. In any case, this was a situation that is very stressful for her and may wound her for life. In case that happens, I wonder what kind of interventions could be given to her so that she recovers from the pain, trauma and embarrassment she has experienced. I am aware that the girl on trial is not yet an adult but a child. The United Nations established the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989 and had several nations ratify it to ensure that children all over the world are not deprived of their rights. Article 2.2 of the UNCRC declares that "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as