Mount students focus on law and order

Goshen — Mount Saint Mary College students got a behind-the-scenes look at the judicial process during their recent journey to Orange County Family Court in Goshen.

Robin Rosenberg of the college’s Career Center coordinated the event and accompanied the students: Stephanie Molina, a Hispanic studies major from New Windsor, N.Y.; Brigitte Levya, an undeclared student from Hyde Park, N.Y.; Teddy Douse, an interdisciplinary major from Mount Vernon, N.Y.; Joseph Borden, an accounting major from Newburgh, N.Y.; Trevor Kane, a business major from Stamford Conn.; and Patrick Kennedy, a sociology-criminology student from Staten Island, N.Y.

Judge Carol S. Klein explained the functions of a family court, and students witnessed several proceedings, including child custody and neglect cases.

“We can’t solve every problem, but we try to,” Klein said. “You see that the children are protected.”

There are a lot of complex issues family court judges consider, and there are few easy solutions, she explained.

“We don’t just punish,” Klein said; “we help rehabilitate.”

Molina said that knowledge of the legal system could aid her in any career path.

“I wanted to get a feel for the environment,” she said. “This is a great experience and it’s teaching me a lot.”

The visit included a study of the judges’ chambers, a discussion of the functions court employees, and more.