Sharpsburg magistrate hosts Boy and Cub Scout troop visits
The justice system is not all like what’s shown on TV, said Jack Teschke, 12, a member of Boy Scout Troop 380, after a visit to the Sharpsburg courtroom of Magistrate Judge Matthew Rudzki.
“The most people ever learn about judges is Judge Judy, and that just is not accurate at all,” Jack said.
Rudzki recently hosted Boy Scout Pack 381 and Troops 380 and 9380, all from the Fox Chapel area, as part of their community service and merit badge efforts.
Jack said that sometimes the law isn’t fair depending on the circumstances.
“There (are) problems, and it’s good for people to know there’s problems, because if people don’t know there (are), they are not going to try and fix them,” he said.
Pack 381 scouts had a question-and-answer session with the judge and participated in a mock trial involving graffiti, which involved the question of graffiti being either an art form or a nuisance.
“They loved it,” said Jamie Uber of O’Hara, an Eagle Scout and former Pack 381 cub master, one of the adult leaders during the visit. “One of the things (the judge) told them is, ‘This is the only time I want to see you here.’
Boy Scout Troop 380 and 9380 talked at length with the judge about various topics. Some scouts stayed after the group session to learn more government activities.
“It’s really nice for kids to have a hands-on experience, a field trip if you were, to really see what it’s like outside a den or troop meeting,” said Laura Teschke, a co-den leader with Joanna Massetti for Pack 381. Teschke organized the visit.
Her daughter, Jocelyn, 10, is ranked an Arrow of Light with Pack 381.
“We learned that whenever people are doing something that they shouldn’t be doing, they get sent there,” Jocelyn said about the judge’s chambers.
The visiting scouts ranged from third through 12th grades.
“It was really great to see the engagement from the middle schoolers and the high schoolers, and the depth of their questions and the thoughtfulness of their questions, said Rudzki, who was member of Pack 381 as a student at Kerr Elementary many years ago.
Troops that want to schedule a visit can contact the Sharpsburg court at 412-784-8555.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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