Feature Style Narrative: Shadowing a Courtroom While Touring Indiana Statehouse
Abstract
For writing project 2 i wrote a feature narrative on my experience shadowing a supreme courtroom at Indiana statehouse. Through this project, i gained knowledge and exposure to my future career.
10/18/24
“I hereby sentence you to life in Prison"
Judge Greenwood’s voice rang out “I hereby sentence you to life in prison. He paused, his words hanging heavily in the air, casting a tense silence over the courtroom.
​​​​​
On October 18, 2024, I stepped into the Indiana Statehouse, ready to engage myself in the inner workings of America’s government at the state level. I toured the courtroom, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governor's office, and various other vital offices responsible for keeping Indiana’s government running. It was my first time witnessing a live courtroom session, and the experience filled me with mixed emotions. Originally from suburban Lagos, Nigeria, I shadowed Emma, the intern leader, who gave me an in depth tour that expanded my view of governance. I also interviewed a fellow student, Tracy, who is a junior working at the Statehouse. She told me about the many internship opportunities available for students starting in their sophomore year.
​
In the courtroom, I found myself reflecting on how authority and a system of checks and balances are essential for any country, company, or organization to function effectively. As someone who grew up with limited access to government buildings in Lagos, I was struck by the openness of the Indiana Statehouse and the ability to witness its judicial process so closely. My curiosity about America’s governance and its power structures motivated me to experience it firsthand, making this opportunity truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
​
I had the privilege of observing a criminal court proceeding. Watching the judicial process unfold including the conviction of a person for six murders and two attempted murders from as far back as 2018 left a lasting impression. The verdict of the judge rings deeply in my head
"I hereby sentence you to life in prison".
The atmosphere in the courtroom shifted as I took in the surroundings, anticipating what was to come. Every sound was intense, but none more so than the crisp, resonant strikes that followed. I heard the gavel bang three times before the judge,” each impact deep and deliberate, reinforcing the authority embodied in that single, powerful gesture.
​
With each strike, the room felt smaller, almost as if we were being drawn into an unspoken pact of order and respect. The gavel’s echo wasn’t just about commanding silence; it conveyed an invisible but tangible line between the authority of the law and those subject to it.
The repetition the three deliberate bangs made it feel ritualistic, reminding everyone in the room that we were in a space governed by rules beyond our individual reach or influence. In that moment, the dynamics of the courtroom became vividly clear to me. The gavel was more than a tool; it was a symbol, almost ceremonial, showing the weight of justice and the role of the judiciary in upholding it. Each strike seemed to echo with a warning: that the law operates within its own gravity, expecting reverence and imposing its own rhythm on all who enter.
" THE COURTROOM ITSELF STRUCK ME AS A BLEND OF OLD AND NEW ARCHITECTURE "
Each floor in the Statehouse was well demarcated. The courtrooms were all arranged along the central side of the building, almost like pieces in a puzzle. There were stones on the floor, each one marking significant moments in history, which added to the sense of tradition and purpose that filled the space. My primary focus was the courtroom, and my observations began at the entrance, which was heavily guarded.
Picture of me in Indiana statehouse supreme Court
​
The courtroom itself struck me as a blend of the old and the new archictecture. It maintained what I would describe as an ancient architectural structure, but with modern elements that brought it into the present. I noticed how the names of all the Chief Justices were engraved on the walls, which gave a sense of legacy.
I learned that this deliberate design is outlined in resources like the U.S. General Services Administration’s Design Guide, which emphasizes the importance of clarity and decorum. These choices are intentional and it was a beautiful view.​
​
Having lived my entire life in Africa, this experience felt foreign and strange, yet fascinating. I kept asking myself, "How does power and authority work in America?" The formality, the structure, and the layers of history all felt so different from what I had known, yet they sparked a deep curiosity within me. The experience was enlightening and kept me thinking deeply, offering me a glimpse into the foundations of governance in a new and brighter context.
​
I anticipated gaining insight into America’s governance, but I didn’t expect the emotional and personal impact of being recognized in a courtroom or seeing justice unfold firsthand.
My favorite part of the immersion was when the judge called me to the front of the courtroom during the criminal court proceeding. It was a special moment when the judge recognized me and asked me to come up.
As an immigrant, being welcomed into a foreign statehouse, regardless of my color or accent, was deeply moving. I felt tears welling up as I went around the Statehouse, reflecting on how much I had learned about the power system in Indiana. That moment of recognition by the Chief Judge was something I will never forget. I felt honored, motivated, and immersed in the trial experiencing something I had never felt before.
Picture of the Indiana statehouse
"Women’s leadership is essential for a just and equitable world"
Observing the legacy of the Chief Justices and discovering that the current Chief Justice is a woman. These powerful women in American law, I couldn’t help but reflect on how the justice system differs from that in Nigeria, where I grew up. In the U.S., the women I observed were not just carving out spaces for themselves but actively reshaping the system to be more inclusive and balanced.
This contrasted sharply with the Nigerian legal landscape, where gender biases often limit women’s roles in positions of legal authority. ​
​
As I admired the names of the past Chief Justices embedded in stone, I discovered that the current Chief Justice is a woman. This revelation challenged my understanding of gender roles, shaped by my upbringing in Africa, where traditional views can often limit women's roles in leadership. Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for women's rights, once remarked, “Women’s leadership is essential for a just and equitable world.” Her words echoed in my mind, aligning with the significance of seeing women’s achievements honored in this prestigious space.
​​
​​
​
PICTURE OF ME IN THE INDIANA STATEHOUSE
Moving around the Statehouse, I felt a powerful mix of emotions. The towering walls, embeded with the names of both past and present female judges, created a deep sense of history and progress.
This setting seemed to embody Smith’s assertion that “architecture reflects the values of its society” (Smith, 27), reinforcing how spaces of authority also convey societal ideals. The presence of these names resonated with me on a personal level, symbolizing both achievement and continuity in the legal field.
​​​
​
These insights deepened my understanding of how the courtroom represents more than just legal authority,
it embodies evolving societal values. This experience sparked a curiosity in me about the dynamic interplay of justice, gender, and tradition within these historic walls As someone who has observed these spaces firsthand, I’ve come to appreciate how form and function merge to uphold the principles of justice.
Nigeria has produced remarkable female lawyers and judges, but, we frequently face immense structural and cultural challenges that make such roles harder to attain and sustain.
​
PICTURES OF FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICES IN THE STATE COURTHOUSE
"Strong women in law don’t just break barriers,
they redefine them"
As a young Nigerian, standing in an American courtroom and hearing the judge calling me up felt surreal. When I shared the story with my mom, I could feel her pride and excitement, as if she understood how important that moment was.
​
It was more than just an experience, it reminded me how authority and leadership can affect different cultures. Seeing a woman as Chief Justice, holding such power, inspired me to dream beyond borders and think about how leadership impacts lives in both Nigeria and America . It left me eager to find my own place in bridging these systems of power
​
Visit https://www.in.gov/core/index.html for more information on how to have a tour in the Indiana statehouse.
WORK CITED
Boyle, Emma. Personal Interview. 18 October 2024.​​
​
Bradshaw, Peter. “American Factory: A Sobering Documentary by the Obamas.” The Guardian, August 15, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/15/american-factory-review-a-sobering-documentary-by-the-obamas.​​​
Smith, John. “The Impact of Globalization in American Manufacturing.” Global Discourse, vol.34, 2020.https://globaldiscourse.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/john-smith.pdf.
​
Tracy Greene. Personal Interview 18 October 2024
​​​​​​​​​
​U.S General service Administration. https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/engineering/facilities-standards-for-the-public-buildings-service
​
Yousafzai, Malala. "A Tale of Resilience and Leadership.” 12 Nov. 2023, www.untitledleader.com/lessons-in-leadership/malala-yousafzai-a-tale-of-resilience-and-leadership/.
​
​
​
​