Visiting the Supreme Court in Washington, DC is possible during sessions which run from October to April. Visitors must arrive early and seating is first come, first served. Copies of decisions can be obtained from the Public Information Office.
Many people interested in the functioning of the justice system in the United States visited the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. Among the proposed activities there are guided tours, a museum and the opportunity to learn about the history of the Court. However, many people wonder if it is possible to visit the Supreme Court while it is in session. Here are some things that should be kept in mind if a trip to Washington includes plans to visit the Supreme Court.
It is possible to visit the Supreme Court and be able to attend a session. To visit Supreme Court sessions, it is important to note when the Court conducts sessions. The opening sessions begin on the first Monday of October and are reserved exclusively for the presentation of oral arguments. Using a two-week period system, sessions are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. With some breaks for the holidays, sessions continue until the end of April. Generally, the daily schedule begins with two one-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon sessions scheduled as needed. Both the prosecution and the defense have thirty minutes to make a case and answer any questions that come to the judges mind.
To visit the Court of Cassation in the May-June period, it is necessary to check the times of the sessions concerning the issue of orders and the delivery of opinions. These sessions are held on Mondays and continue until all cases presented during the oral discussion sessions have been decided. Typically, each session during this period lasts from fifteen to thirty minutes, and it is possible to visit the Supreme Court until the last week of June. However, the number of cases pending a decision determines the exact time frame.
It’s a great idea to make plans to visit the Supreme Court so there’s plenty of time to arrive early on the day of session. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. During the season of oral discussions, two lines form. Visitors who want to see an entire topic are in one row, while others who are interested in a quick three-minute visit to a session are in the second row. Guests are asked to enter and exit the courtroom in silence, allowing the proceedings to continue uninterrupted. Visitors have observer status only and cannot join sessions.
After people visit the Supreme Court and have a chance to see an actual session, copies of the Court’s decisions can be obtained. Copies are provided by the Public Information Office, located on the ground floor of the building. In most cases, opinions are prepared and made available to the public within thirty to forty-five minutes after the panel has made a decision.
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