May/June 2006 issue
Judicial Learning Center Opens in St. Louis
Visitors to the Thomas
F. Eagleton U.S.
Courthouse in St.
Louis, headquarters of
the Eighth Circuit and
the nation’s largest
federal court facility,
will have a hands-on
opportunity to learn
about the federal court
system. The Judicial
Learning Center,
prominently located on the main floor, opened its
doors to the public in May.
The center is 2,500-square feet of space devoted
to an interactive learning environment. It
includes a three-judge bench, jury box, counsel
tables, screen, and display areas around the
perimeter. When content is added to these
fixtures, visitors will learn about the difference
between the state and federal courts, how the
courts work, the three levels of the federal
courts, each of which is housed in the
courthouse, and the importance of an
independent judiciary and the rule of law in
American society.
News items about current events affecting
citizens in federal court, parties pursuing justice,
and the public officials who perform the work of
the federal courts will be highlighted in a special
section of the center’s space.
Until permanent exhibits are installed, the center
will feature traveling displays with justice and
law themes. The first display presents the role of
the U.S. district courts in immigration,
naturalization, and deportation proceedings.
Provided by the American Immigration Law
Foundation, the exhibit is entitled, “America’s
Heritage: A History of U.S. Immigration,” and
will run until July 15. Read more about the
center in this article from The Third Branch.