Russians Get Glimpse of American Justice System
The Daily Record (Omaha, NE)
Posted on September 11, 2002
By Lorraine Boyd
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| A leader of the delegation presented Judge Smith Camp with photographs of St. Petersburg, with the assistance of the interpreter. All photos, Lorrain Boyd, The Daily Record, Omaha NE. |
On September 10, the group visited the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse in Omaha and sat in the jury box as they listened to a presentation by Nebraska Federal District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp, followed by remarks by Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Demisch, IRS General Counsel Al Kerkove and Special Agent Frank Roby and U.S. Marshall Brian Ennis. Their visit was coordinated by Omaha attorney Roger Holthaus.
Members of the group peppered Judge Smith Camp with questions, through an interpreter, about the federal court system. Especially relevant were questions about security in the courtroom, which Judge Smith Camp answered in some detail, including the somewhat surprising information that the judge's car was thoroughly search each time she entered the judge's underground parking garage. Also of interest was the fact that the judge's bench was bulletproof.
The group, especially the eight women, were very interested in the number of women serving as federal judges. Judge Smith Camp explained that there were more female judges on the Court of Appeals because judges in her position required trial experience, which was more difficult to get. The delegation nodded in sympathy.
The contingent includes local officials and members of the media from various cities throughout the county. They are scheduled to return home September 13.
Copyright ©2002, The Daily Record, Omaha Nebraska. Used with permission
[Reprinted with Permission]
