The US passport control was smooth, the flight was almost 8 hours, in Philly we took an Uber to our apartment.

Later, we found a Trader Joe's food store (it's like Lidl), did our groceries there, and I went to explore downtown and local Chinatown.

After I finished in the CJC, I went to the Family Court to join Mary with Judge Brien McLaughlin. We heard a complicated and quite intense case about children. Afterwards, we discussed this case and our studies in Ireland, as well as some aspects of Irish Family Law.

Afterward, we all gathered together in a nearby cafe and went to explore Terminal Market, which is a huge food court, and bought some stuff there.

Afterward, we had lunch by ourselves at Terminal Market. The girls left, but I went to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. I had researched activities for the coming holiday and weekend and found that today's entrance was free, so I explored all three floors of the museum.

Later, we visited Liberty Bell Museum and saw the original Liberty Bell (with the crack).

Then, we went to Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see the concert and fireworks. There were a lot of people celebrating, and we enjoyed the holiday atmosphere. Mary also joined us. We saw a nice rap concert, and at 9 pm, there were magnificent fireworks.

It was a long, unforgettable day!

Later, I took a train toward West Trenton to go a Russian theatre. After one hour on the train, I finally arrived there and enjoyed 2 hours of a love drama, it was an incredible play!!

Crumlish did the jury selection last week, but now the trial judge is Susan Schulman. The case was about multiple episodes of medical negligence causing death. It was a long, tough trial with all procedures, like judge’s instructions, opening speeches, and witness testimony. On the lunch break, the judge us into her chambers to ask our opinions and discuss counsels' points - another valuable experience!!

Then we met Judge Vince Giusini, and we discussed cases that he had heard recently. For lunch, we went together to some famous local burger place called Shake Shack. Afterward, Mary and I came back to the family court, and until 4 pm, we heard a tough child sexual abuse case. It was notable that there were at least six counsels in the courtroom, and the room was full of people.

For dinner, we decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe. We are having a great time!!

Then, we went to judge Guisini.

Later, girls left but i stayed. I went to judge Barish, who was hearing a case where a child had some mental issues and court ordered a mental health evaluation.

Then, I went down to the courtroom 4D where emergency cases are heard. There was a medical case about surgery that child needed but there was an issue with parents’ consent.

For lunch I went to a lovely Irish pub nearby and then I got to a train station to catch a train to NYC to see my cousin.

We walked around Central Park, Wall Street, Times Square. On Sunday we visited the American Museum of Natural History and the legendary Metropolitan Museum. NYC is a very vibrant city, and I like these glass structures. It constantly reminded my a song by Jay-Z where it says:

'In New York,

There streets will make you feel brand-new

Big lights will inspire you...'

Lovely weekend!!

First, we went to a murder trial. It was entertaining because the defendant liked to have a casual chat with the judge in the middle of the trial, and when he was given chance to speak, he started to read some rap song which was a weird and funny experience.

Later, we saw 2 parts of fatal shooting trial with 2 co-defendants. The Commonwealth’s DA didn’t have much evidence, and defendants’ counsels were very persuasive.

The most interesting part started when a digital data extractor expert gave us a a whole lecture about how phone tracking works, how data is accessed and analysed, etc. It was a nice day!

First, a non-fatal shooting with attempted murder, conspiracy, and carrying a firearm without a license. Second, a murder by way of shooting.

The DA presented multiple pieces of CCTV footage and detectives' testimony. The defendant was a member of one gang, and the victims were members of an opposing, competing gang.

It was interesting to see how the judge was instructing the jury and the legal "fight" between the counsels in their closing speeches. It was an excellent case!

In one of the cases, the parents became drug-addicted, and the children were taken away and placed with their grandparents. The counsel for the DHC argued that therapy for the parents should be continued, while the counsel for the parents claimed that the family should be reunited. The judge said he would try to organize something interesting for us.

One of the cases was particularly interesting, child stole a car, committed simple assault and many other crimes with previous convictions. Judge needed to decide appropriate measures and therapy for child.

After lunch Michael kindly took us to show the courtroom of the Supreme Court in the City Hall, there was gorgeous courtroom with 7 seats and conference room with library, beautiful place!!

First, we heard permanency review hearings (approx. 10). In these types of cases, the child appears before the court, the counsel for the DHC reports on the child’s status and behavior, and the judge ensures the child is doing well and spends a good time in the summer camp or attends sports/music activities.

Then, we had a bunch of motion hearings where the DHC usually recommends some amendments. In one of the cases, the mother of the child made a scene in the courtroom, interrupting and arguing with the judge, but he handled it quickly and professionally.

The last case was an adjudicatory hearing with a number of procedural difficulties. First, the father of the child needed a Spanish interpreter, but one wasn't present. The counsels reached an agreement to contact an interpreter by phone for this occasion only. The problem with this translation is that it’s time-consuming, and the father and his counsel were not able to have a conversation privately, which is very important.

Secondly, in a previous hearing, a child removal motion was granted against the mother. She had changed counsel since the last time, and he wasn’t informed about the removal order, which caused a misunderstanding. Once it was discovered, we were invited to go to the sidebar twice to discuss everything off the record.

The substantive part of the hearing lasted at least 2 hours. It was heavy in terms of material and procedural issues.

Later, we had the chance to discuss the cases in the chambers, and the judge explained the importance of an opinion as a legal document, its purpose, and how it works.

Judge McLaughlin is particularly kind, always welcomes our questions and encourages curiosity, asks his clerks to share with us reports and daily lists, it was an amazing day!!

In short, a patient had an insignificant heart condition which was discovered by a family doctor in 2021. After that, the patient went through a medical examination in the hospital. Recently, the patient felt unwell. The family called 911, but he passed away before their arrival.

The family claimed medical negligence by the hospital and a particular doctor, as they had failed to meet the standard of care that could be reasonably expected, and in particular, to discover a blockage of blood in the heart and interpret the X-ray results. They also claimed damages for the mental distress of the family members.

Counsels gave their opening speeches, outlining the facts. Then we had a lunch break. Afterward, the counsel for the plaintiff’s family called the first witness to explain to the jury the anatomy of the heart and what the disease was. It was a whole lecture with pictures and explanations - a great case!

We arrived at the new courthouse, where the judge met us. We then went to the historical building to see a rape jury trial. It was alleged that the father of the daughter was touching her inappropriately. The DAs presented a 40-minute interview with the girl, and then the detective-interviewer was questioned and cross-examined. We also had a chance to speak with Judge McCabe.

Afterward, we came back for lunch. Judge Mincarelli ordered pizzas for us, and after we rested, we walked around the courthouse. We met one judge who handles class action cases and cases with multiple parties. Then we met Judge Wheatcraft. She runs the building and works in the treatment room, where she hears cases involving children or people with mental issues. For the children, there is a very nice comfort dog. We had a nice time!

Afterward, Patience, Jennifer, and I went to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts to listen to a classical music concert. I had found this concert during the first week because I am a big fan of classical music, so I invited the girls to go with me.

The venue was a huge arena in a park on top of a hill, with both inside and outside seating. We chose to sit outside and listened to two 45-minute pieces with a break in between. They were sonatas by Bach and Tchaikovsky, and we enjoyed the great music!

The counsels gave their final speeches, and after that the judge gave his instructions to the jury.

Tomorrow we are supposed to go to the police unit!!

An officer told us about the dogs, their training, and how they work with them. We went through the room where the dogs actually live, and we hugged one nice dog. The most interesting part was observing how one dog was searching a field. Each of us threw one object into the grass, and then the dog found all of them, one by one!

Then, we explored the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit department. We went through the radio and gun storage, and different police vehicles. An officer was telling us about the shootings in the city that they were involved in and how they dealt with them.

There is a river and long bridge over it, and arena is located in the park next to it

I always wanted to experience that famous American vibe during sport games. The game had 2 halves of 45 minutes and final score was 1:3. Spectacular game!!

The other case was about 19-year-old girl who was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm in a public place without a license. The firearm was a shotgun loaded with 11 bullets.

We finished the list around 1pm and then talked about cases in the chambers. I gave the judge a small present and then went to the family court to give a gift to judge McLaughlin but his clerk said he is on vacation this week, so I gave it to his clerk.

Today it was 37 degrees C and very humid, I went with Patience to the famous milkshake place to have one and then we had lunch in the Cheesecake factory cafe.

In the first case defendant and defense counsel didn’t show up so judge listened only plaintiff. 

Then, we had a zoom hearing about removal of administratrix of the will because she failed in her fiduciary duties to distribute property. 

We had lunch together with judge’s interns and talked about their work and they showed us the chambers where they work. 

And lastly, we had a case about a void will, the plaintiff claimed that was made with mistakes and therefore invalid.

After we had a discussion with the judge about the law of intestacy in Ireland (thanks to Stephen’s land law lectures:) and in the US and the work of the court in general.

In the chambers, you met with Justice Doherty and his interns, Angelina and Thomas. You discussed your court experience, cases, and activities outside of court, as well as your impressions of Philadelphia and the US. You gave gifts to the Justice and Michael (giving Shane's gift to Michael since he was busy with his retention campaign).

Later, you had lunch with Michael, and he kindly drove you home because a storm had started.

Patience and I then went to the Lincoln Financial Field to see The Weeknd in concert. It was a fantastic three-hour show with fireworks and torches. The people were singing louder than he was, and there was a special vibe because the whole show was in the rain.