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Scouts take a courthouse tour

| 17 Feb 2014 | 03:35
    Back row (from left): Jessica Brown Esq., Pike Co. Bar Association President Elizabeth A. Erickson Kameen, Amanda Chesar, Esq., The Hon. Joseph F. Kameen, President Judge, Nathan Volpi Esq., Michael Church, Pike County Deputy Sheriff. Middle row: Girl Scout Troop 52-726 Co-leader Carel Duffy, Ariana DiGeso, Elizabeth Morris, Alexis Kleber, Madison Kelly, Girl Scout Troop 52-726 Leader Laurie DiGeso. Front row: Meghan Duffy, Kaleigh Kuddar, Olivia O'Grady, Kristen Henry.
    Back row (from left): Jessica Brown Esq., Pike Co. Bar Association President Elizabeth A. Erickson Kameen, Amanda Chesar, Esq., The Hon. Joseph F. Kameen, President Judge, Nathan Volpi Esq., Michael Church, Pike County Deputy Sheriff. Middle row: Girl Scout Troop 52-726 Co-leader Carel Duffy, Ariana DiGeso, Elizabeth Morris, Alexis Kleber, Madison Kelly, Girl Scout Troop 52-726 Leader Laurie DiGeso. Front row: Meghan Duffy, Kaleigh Kuddar, Olivia O'Grady, Kristen Henry.

MILFORD — Pike County Girl Scout Troop 52-726 from Dingmans Ferry toured the county courthouse on Jan. 24, when they got to see the inner sanctum of the courtroom where lawyers, clients, and witnesses stay during court hearings.

The girls, ages 10 and 11, were given reserved seats and allowed to ask questions about court proceedings and related matters.

Pike County President Judge Joseph Kameen gave the Scouts a tour of the courtroom, jury room, judge’s chambers, court reporters' office and prisoner holding cell areas. Judge Kameen also provided a short history of the court from the time the courthouse was built in the 1870s to the present. The judge said the large increase in caseload over the last 10 years, has resulted in more than 7,000 court proceedings each year, including many serious criminal and civil cases. Judge Kameen also noted that over the past 200 years, the Pike County Court has been affiliated with Northampton County, Wayne County and Monroe County Courts. It was not until 1980 that the Pike County

Court became an individual court for Pike County only.

Judge Kameen also highlighted several unique characteristics of Pike County: the highest percentage of population growth in the state for over 20 years, and the state’s highest percentage of residents in private communities. Finally, he said, because of the county’s proximity to New York and New Jersey, a significant number of out-of-state residents to visit on weekends and holidays — and sometimes they must come before the court.

Judge Kameen also highlighted the need for courtroom security through the Pike County Sheriff’s office under the guidance of Sheriff Phil Bueki.

Each Scout got to bang the gavel to call the court to order. The judge said the gavel and wooden pad were donated to the court by Attorney Jack Linshaw, a former partner of prior President Judge Harold A. Thomson Jr.

Following the tour, each Girl Scout was presented with an Award Certificate from the Pike County Bar Association in honor of their participation in the Courtroom tour. Pike Co. Bar President Elizabeth A. Erickson Kameen commended troop leaders Laurie DiGeso and Co-Leader Carel Duffy for their active involvement and participation with the Scouts. In addition, President Kameen praised the Scouts for their dedication and hard work.

As a former Girl Scout, Bar President Kameen fondly recalled her days as a Girl Scout. Within the Pike Bar, many female attorneys were also former Girl Scouts, Cadets or Brownies, including attorneys Leatrice A. Anderson, Stacey Beecher, Elizabeth Burton, Oressa P. Campbell, Tammy Lee Claus, Kelly Gaughan, Shannon Muir and Samantha Venditti.

These attorneys join more than 59 million American women all of whom enjoyed Girl Scouting during their childhood.