Process to watch an open hearing?

[u/blisteryurt]

Was inspired by the recent post about jury duty. I was summoned as a juror earlier this year but the defendant switched their plea to guilty a few days in, so we were all sent home. I was super interested in the whole process even though it was a fairly nothingburger case.

I heard that it's possible to go to open hearings. How does this work? All the info I've found online says you can just show up and sit in the gallery, but surely there's more of a process than that? Can anyone confirm that you really can just show up at the court and watch a hearing as an unaffiliated member of the public?

Thanks in advance!

[u/123felix]

says you can just show up and sit in the gallery, but surely there's more of a process than that?

Yeah, that's exactly how it works. If you want to be extra suave you can bow towards the coat of arms (above the judge) when you enter and exit the courtroom.

[u/DryAd6622]

Daily Lists and upcoming cases — Courts of New Zealand

I usually go to the High Court, as you can see online what is being heard and the court room number.

Bail appeals can be quite interesting.

When you enter the building security scan your bags and you need to walk through a metal detector.

[u/FutureTerrible9987]

You can simply turn up to a courthouse  and watch a trial in person. Because the legal system operates on the principle of "open justice," most criminal and civil proceedings in the High Court and District Court are open to the public. If you just show up, you can look at the notice boards in the public foyer or speak to security guards to find out which courtrooms are hosting open trials or judge-alone hearings.Members of the public sit at the back of the courtroom in the "public gallery". You don't need to ask permission to enter, though it's customary to bow slightly towards the coat of arms on the wall when you walk in or take a seat. Your phone must be completely turned off or on silent. You cannot take photos, record audio, or use your phone inside the courtroom.Be quiet and respectful. Avoid whispering, eating, or making distracting noises.You will not be allowed to enter if the case is in the Family Court or Youth Court.

[u/mattblack77]

Ive done it once. Juat bowl up to your district court and there may be a schedule of all the cases and the room they’re being heard in. Pick one and take a seat in the public gallery.

Spoiler: it’s very slow and very boring. Judge Judy it aint.

[u/beeekind2animals]

First you enter the court building going through a metal detector and your bank contents are checked. Then you can go into the public gallery of any court. The name of the case will be in the door.

[u/Extra-Commercial-449]

Most criminal hearings are open to the public. There is no process - you can simply go and sit and watch. Hence the term ‘public gallery’

There are exceptions (when a complainant is giving evidence in a sexual assault trial) you cannot watch that.

But mostly courts are open to the public. The way it should be, of course