Political Science Senior Kyle Chao knew he wanted to pursue a career in human rights law and was looking for internship opportunities when he heard about the Judicial Internship Program at Cal Poly Pomona.

He applied for the spring 2022 session of the program hoping to not just see what lawyers do on the job but also the role of clerks, transcribers, bailiffs and others who help keep courtrooms running. The course was just what Chao was looking for.

"During the judicial internship, we observed court proceedings, and it was interesting to sit back and see how judicial proceedings worked," Chao said. "It's not like what you see on TV shows. Everyone involved is trying to come to the truth and trying to come up with an amicable solution given the two sides."

For two decades, Cal Poly Pomona students interested in pursuing careers in law or learning more about the justice system have had this opportunity to see how a courthouse operates up close and personal.

The Judicial Internship, one of university's signature polytechnic experience (PolyX) courses, was launched 20 years ago and is divided into two parts - the twice weekly visits to the Pomona Courthouse to see the law in action and a class every other Friday for students to discuss what they observed. The interns also talk to lawyers and meet with judges among other activities. In May, the class participated in a mock trial staged at the Pomona Courthouse, with students playing the parts of lawyers, defendants, and witnesses.

Political Science Professor Elli Menounou, who has been teaching the course since 2022, said that students get a very holistic experience in the courtroom, and it enables to them decide whether law is the career for them before they commit to law school.

"A lot of students have an idea of law and courts through movies or television series. So, one thing we talk to students about is 'Why do you want to go to law school?'" Menounou said. "If they go to law school and take out loans, and then in one or two years decided that it is not for them, that's a lot of money they owe. Internships provide students with an excellent opportunity to see if this is for them before they go into debt."

The judicial internship program is open to all majors on campus.

For Sofia Rosales ('23, political science), the program offered the aspiring legal scholar an opportunity to observe the courtroom for research purposes. Rosales is attending graduate school at Michigan State, pursuing a doctorate in political science.

"As a judicial scholar, it was good to get the perspective of a small court and it was good for some like me who wants to teach," Rosales said. "It was so enlightening to see how courts actually work, and not what you see on TV or in the moves. It also provides a more human perspective in showing that these people are regular people just like us."

The internship required students to write a 10-page paper discussing a phenomenon students observed in court. Rosales' paper focused on the interactions between people working in the courthouse - from judges and lawyers and to bailiffs and court clerks. Rosales saw a notice about the program in a newsletter Menounou sent to students, but she was already aware of the course. Programs that offer real world experience to students are as important for those studying political science as they are for STEM majors, Rosales said.

"The polytechnic experience is crucial because you get that hands on experience. That goes for political science as well," she said. "For political science students, being in the courtroom, seeing it and experiencing it firsthand provides background information and can help you further your career. The internship provides you with opportunities and connections. If you want to go to law school, you can talk to people in the court that you meet."

Cristianna Watson ('23, political science) was focused on international relations before she did the internship, but after being in the program, she began thinking about pursuing law.

Watson, who has had a close relationship with Menounou since she was a sophomore, said she decided to apply for the program after hearing from other students about how much they enjoyed it. She was not disappointed. She also participated in the mock trial, playing the defense's pre-trial attorney. Watson particularly enjoyed the unexpected events including visiting a judge in his chambers.

"You don't really get to see behind the scenes in courts unless you're someone passing through the court system," she said. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to talk to judicial actors, and it has proven worth my while."

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Serna, who works in the West Covina Courthouse, said that he has been involved in the internship class for a couple of years and admires the "engagement and enthusiasm" of the students to get a close look at the legal system.

"They recognize the unique opportunity to see courts operate in various disciplines, and the ability to speak with a number of participants in the system including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, court reporters, court staff, and more," Serna said. "The highlight as a judge was watching the students conduct a mock trial. The students obviously put time and effort into their preparation, and it showed. Their performances were not only college student level, but what would be expected of law school graduates."

Fellow Superior Court Judge Salvatore T. Sirna, who works in the Pomona Courthouse, lauded the program for offering students an opportunity to learn about the justice system up close.

"The judges and commissioners of the East District, Los Angeles Superior Court, are honored each year to host the Judicial Internship Program with students from Cal Poly Pomona," Sirna said. "The program provides students with a unique and valuable opportunity to observe courtrooms and to interact with bench officers. The Cal Poly Pomona faculty and East District judicial leadership strive to develop a curriculum aimed at providing students the knowledge and experience required to be engaged and contributing members of the community, hopefully inspiring many to seek careers in the legal field."

For more information about the Judicial Internship program, email Political Science Professor Elli Menounou at emenounou@cpp.edu.