Sachem East High School’s Business Law students recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of the local justice system during a guided tour of the John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex in Central Islip.

During the visit, students received an overview of the Suffolk County Court System and had the opportunity to step inside an active courtroom, where they learned about the critical roles that make the legal process function, including the prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, jurors, court clerk and court officers.

The experience gave students a behind-the-scenes look at areas rarely seen by the public. The group toured the Sheriff’s Lock Up, explored the holding cells located between courtrooms and gained insight into how individuals are processed and moved through the courthouse.

One of the highlights of the trip came when students met and spoke with the presiding judge, a 1980 Sachem graduate, who shared his personal journey into the legal profession. The judge discussed the education and training required for careers in the legal system and explained the roles of the District Attorney’s Office and the purpose of arraignments, giving students real-world context before they observed the court’s daily arraignment proceedings.

The visit offered students a powerful, firsthand look at how the justice system operates and the many career paths available in the field of law, while connecting them with a successful Sachem alumnus who once sat in the same classrooms.