Visit and Observe Manhattan's Criminal Court at Night

​​We will meet outside the courthouse as early as 6:40pm, and I will go inside with whoever is there at 7:00pm. We'll watch the proceedings the New York City criminal court for one hour, and then be on our way. The group often goes somewhere to debrief and discuss what we saw, for whoever is available.

​If you are not in a Maximum New York government class, and wonder what exactly we'll be seeing, we'll be seeing arraignments.

​If you want wider context:

• ​Read chapters 8 and 9 of Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law, by Jay Feinman.

• ​Read this summary of night court work by New York City's Criminal Justice Agency.

​Ideally you will be able to answer the following in basic terms before we sit down in the courtroom:

• ​What are the steps of criminal procedure from arrest to serving a sentence (or not)? Where do arraignments fit into that process?

• ​What is the difference between criminal court and civil court?

​And remember:

• ​Night court is listed as a "thing to do" in some tourist guides. And while it is true that NYC's criminal courts are open to the public (a blessing of a free society), observers should treat their observation as a holy duty and opportunity of civic religion. Unlike other forms of witnessing government, this one will reveal men and women forcibly restrained, facing the prospect of state-sanctioned punishment in one way or another. Anyone who watches criminal arraignments with Maximum New York will be bound to treat the observation with the respect it is due.

• ​All that said: you should not feel afraid to breathe or express curiosity, surprise, or even humor. You will potentially witness valid reasons for the entire spectrum of human emotion.

​This Maximum New York event, like all MNY events and classes, is bound by the MNY rules of etiquette.