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Court Tour Policy Effective August 1, 2007 1 MCLEAN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT Scheduling Court Tours / Class Visits / Mock Trials McLean County Law & Justice Center 104 W. Front Street Bloomington, IL 61701 Court tours, class visits and mock trial programs in the McLean County Law & Justice Center are available for persons age 10 and above. The minimum age requirement is due to the environment the student may be exposed to and the subject matter presented. The mock trial materials provided by the Circuit Court are geared toward students in the 5th - 8th grades. Teachers who are seeking additional educational materials are encouraged to visit the Illinois State Bar Association website for law-related resources for teachers: www.isba.org 1. To schedule a Courthouse tour and Mock Trial (Elementary and Middle Schools): Call the School /Education Coordinator at (309) 888-5282. Schools are encouraged to call four to six (4-6) weeks in advance to ensure availability of the Court. The Mock Trial materials for this program are available through the McLean County website: www.mcleancountyil.gov/circuitcourt. Restrictions: • Offered from 12:30-1:20 PM every Thursday beginning the first Thursday in October and ending on the last Thursday in April. • Limited to persons age 10 and over (5th grade – 8th grade) • No more than 70 persons to a group, including teachers and chaperones • Courtroom experience may include a mock trial (see material at link below), and an opportunity to speak to a judge • May include overview and presentation regarding the McLean County Jail. Please indicate if you wish to include the jail presentation. The jail presentation lasts from approximately 1:25 PM to 2:00 PM. TOURS OF THE JAIL ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 17. 2. To schedule a Courthouse tour (High Schools - 9th to 12th grade): High school classes observe court proceedings (those interested in a Mock Trial please see Section 4 below). Call the Trial Court Administrator’s office at (309) 888-5266. Schools are encouraged to call several weeks in advance to ensure availability of the Court. Restrictions: • Offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays during Criminal Division jury weeks (subject to availability of judge) during the months of October to April. No tours after April 30 or before October 1 of each school year. • Limited to persons ages 14 and above (9th grade or above) ---PAGE BREAK--- Court Tour Policy Effective August 1, 2007 2 • No more than 65 persons to a group, including teachers and chaperones • Jail presentation offered only upon specific request. Classes electing the court observation option may include a visit to the Coroner’s office (subject to availability). Please be specific with your request. TOURS OF THE JAIL ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 17 3. To schedule a Courthouse tour (Civic Groups) Call the Trial Court Administrator’s office at (309) 888-5266. Groups are encouraged to call several weeks in advance to ensure availability of the Court. Restrictions: • Offered at the availability of the judge • Limited to persons age 10 and over ( or in the 5th grade) • No more than 65 persons to a group, including teachers and chaperones TOURS OF THE JAIL ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 17. TOURS ARE ONLY OFFERED AFTER REVIEW OF THE REQUEST BY THE SHERIFF, JAIL SUPERINTENDENT OR THEIR DESIGNEE. 4. Mock Trials - High School / College Age Students College and High School classes wishing to conduct mock trials (other than those Colleges participating in the Illinois State University Mock Trial Tournament) should contact the Trial Court Administrator at (309) 888-5266 at least six weeks in advance of their proposed trial date. High School and College level mock trials are subject to the availability of the judge. The Circuit Court does not provide mock trial cases or information to High School or College classes. Mock trial groups should not exceed the guidelines listed in #3 above. Courtroom tours are not arranged for college classes. College age students may observe court without making prior arrangements. Judges will not be available to speak to classes or students without the instructor contacting the specific judge prior to arrival. 5. Jail Tours – Contact the Sheriff’s Office at (309) 888-5034 for availability. TOURS ARE ONLY OFFERED AFTER REVIEW OF THE REQUEST BY THE SHERIFF, JAIL SUPERINTENDENT OR THEIR DESIGNEE.