KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: Judge brings courtroom to the campus

You can take the judge out of the school, but you can't take the school out of the judge!

Students at Kennedy High School found that out when 23rd District Court Judge Geno Salomone -- a Kennedy alum -- held court inside the school instead of using his usual courthouse.

Judge Salomone presided over court cases at Kennedy as 135 students in Mrs. Duty's and Mr. Putnam's government classes looked on. It turned out to be an "in-school field trip" for the students.

Judge Salomone talks to a group of students during another demonstration at the Taylor 23rd District Court held at an earlier date.

The teens were able to see the outcomes of cases, both criminal and civil. Before, during and after the session, the judge explained the steps that he took and why he took them.

After the court was finished, Judge Salomone entertained a question-and-answer session with the students.

Kennedy's student body was excited by the visit and enjoyed the opportunity to watch the judicial branch at work. 

"It was a great experience for everyone," admitted Principal Tommie Saylor.