Students get behind-the-scenes tour at Downey Superior Court

DOWNEY – The Southeast District Bar Association celebrated Law Day at Downey Superior Court on April 28 with 47 students from Downey and Warren high schools. 

Counselor Cindy Adame brought students from Warren High and counselors Pam Morse and Nicole Sanders brought students from Downey High. The students were treated to a jail visit thanks to Sgt. Michael Ortiz and Sgt. Green and a court tour of the jury room, the clerk’s office, and the courtrooms.

They were able to visit the chambers of Judge Gregorio Roman and ask questions of court personnel inside the courtroom of Judge Christopher Frisco.  Presiding Judge Debra A. Cole also introduced additional judges and commissioners of the courthouse.  

Students heard from the deputy in charge of the public defender’s office, Christopher Capestro, the deputy in charge of the district attorney’s office Mario Cota-Lopez, City of Downey city prosecutor Jim Eckert, State Bar of California representative Esther Lee, Downey Mayor Alex Saab, Assemblymember Cristina Garcia’s representative Edgar Estrada, local attorneys Blanca Pacheco, Gavriel Gabriel, and Dennis Saab, Court Manager Cynthia Lathon-Jackson, and Court Services Assistant III Shawyn Haynes. 

SEDBA is the local bar association in the southeast area of Los Angeles serving the professional needs of attorneys in the area, advancing the administration of justice, and serving the public regarding access to justice.