Hearing live oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court, watching the Florida State Legislature in action and meeting First Lady Ann Scott were among the highlights of a recent trip to Tallahassee by the Student Paralegal Association at Daytona State College.
Nine students and attorneys Kim Grippa and Todd Richardson, who teach in the Paralegal Studies Program at Daytona State, were able to see all three branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial – during their three-day March trip.
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Students from the Student Paralegal Association at Daytona State College visited all three branches of government on a recent trip to Tallahassee. From left Sirayto Gantt, Charlie Williams, Paralegal Professor Todd Richardson, Nikki Harp, Leona Jackson, Glenn Florence, Cherryann Willis, Paralegal Professor Kim Grippa, Johanna Feore, Jessica Winthrop and Erika Carlson. |
While visiting the Florida Supreme Court, the group heard live oral arguments on criminal law issues, including an appeal of a death penalty sentence based on improper jury selection. At the Florida Archives, the students were able to see the original Florida Constitution and other historical documents.
At the State Capitol, the students observed from the gallery the state House of Representatives in session. The group was recognized from the floor by local state House representatives Dorothy Hukill, Fred Costello and Dwayne Taylor.
Mrs. Scott was present and answered questions when the students were escorted on a private tour of the governor’s mansion by curator Carol Beck.
“The students always learn so much more from experiential learning,” said Assistant Chairperson Linda Cupick, professor in the college’s Paralegal Studies program. “They come back to the classroom and enrich all of us.”
Daytona State offers a 64-credit Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies degree in the School of Applied Business. There are currently 300 students enrolled in the program conducted in the Education Hall on the Daytona Beach Campus. The facility includes a “mock” courtroom where students can experience applied learning related to the legal process.
