REACH Memphis's Law Scholars

On February 28, 2020, a group of Shelby County students from REACH Memphis's Law Scholars Program visited the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee's Memphis division for a Courthouse Tour. During their visit, the students heard from, and had the opportunity to ask questions of, U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker and his law clerks, Kaitlyn Hansen and Benjamin Barsky; U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman; U.S. Magistrate Judge Tu Pham and his law clerks Jason Schabinger and Nigel Halliday; Doris Randle-Holt, Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Tennessee; Joseph Murphy, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee; Dean DeCandia, Assistant U.S. Attorney; Angie Yates, U.S. Pretrial Services Officer; Michelle Gonzalez, Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer; and Darrel Weldon, Deputy U.S. Marshal. The students had the opportunity to observe a Sentencing Hearing in Judge Parker's court and learn about the role and function of the federal judiciary from the dedicated individuals who serve within it.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker explains the Federal Sentencing Guidelines prior to the students' observation of a Sentencing Hearing in his Court.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Tu Pham discusses the role of U.S. Magistrate Judges in the federal judicial system.

U.S. Federal Public Defender Doris Randle-Holt speaks with the students about the vital role played by the U.S. Federal Public Defender Service in the legal system.

First Asst. U.S. Attorney Joe Murphy discusses the Office of the United States Attorney and its role in enforcing federal laws.

U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Angie Yates explains the role and function of the U.S. Pretrial Services Office.

Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer Michelle Gonzalez speaks with the students about the role of the U.S. Probation Office both as it relates to sentencing and supervision.

Deputy Marshal Darrel Weldon discusses the many missions of the U.S. Marshals Service, America's first federal law enforcement agency.