Courthouse Visits | CONNECTIONS

We encourage school groups and community organizations to visit our courthouses to learn firsthand about the work of the court from the judges and staff of the courts. Listen to our judges discuss their vital role in our government. View presentations about the history of our courts and the architecture of our courthouses. Hear from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney's Offices, Pre-trial and Probation Offices, and Federal Defenders. View:

Courthouse history, facts, photos
Explanations of famous cases
Educational resources about jury service

Learn more about the federal courts in the Sixth Circuit here.

Timor-Leste Delegation

A group of 13 people made up of 7 Timorese judges, 3 Timorese prosecutors, and 2 US Embassy personnel visited the Eastern District of Tennessee. The program was organized by the U.S. Department of Justice and AUSA David Lewen who is serving as a Resident Legal Advisor for 14 months in Timor-Leste. The group’s visit included a tour of the Howard H. Baker Jr Federal Courthouse where they were provided lunch with the judges and were provided informative presentations from each agency concerning their role in the judiciary. The group also visited the local State Courts and U.T. College of Law. The group gifted all the presenters with a scarf (as reflected in one of the pictures) which has the name of their country and the colors of their flag.

Judge Michael Newman Meets with Students from Thurgood Marshall School

This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman poses with students from Thurgood Marshall School.

Judge Michael Newman Meets with Belmont High School Students

This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman and Senior District Judge Walter H. Rice pose with DPS students from Belmont High School.

Judge Collier Spoke to Youth Summer Campers from Olivet Baptist Church

On July 9, 2019, Judge Collier spoke to approximately forty youth summer campers from Olivet Baptist Church at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga. The campers’ ages ranged from 10 to 18 years-old. Judge Collier spoke to the campers about the state and federal judicial system, his professional journey to the bench, and his current responsibilities as a District Court Judge in Tennessee’s Eastern District. During a Q&A session, Judge Collier answered questions about criminal sentencing in federal courts, his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as well as questions about his family and childhood in Marianna, Arkansas. Some of the younger campers were especially interested in how often Judge Collier uses his gavel (never) and why judges wear black robes (a carryover from British court dress). Afterwards, the campers walked over to the courthouse for a tour of the buildings and courtroom.