NORTHAMPTON \u2014 Representatives of the state judiciary system visited criminal justice students at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Friday morning to share career advice and encourage them to consider lives of public service in the courts.<\/p>\n
Massachusetts Superior Court Associate Justice Mark Mason \u2014 who sits in Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield and Pittsfield \u2014 has served on the bench for 13 years, following a 24-year career as a lawyer in private practice. He chairs the committee responsible for the Superior Court\u2019s community outreach efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here today to inspire these students as to potential career pathways in the judicial branch of government,\u201d Mason told the Gazette before entering the classroom wearing his black judge\u2019s robe. When he walked in, Assistant Chief Court Officer Mark Skora called out, \u201cAll rise!\u201d and all 17 students stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as some people like to think that people are rising for the judge himself or herself, you don\u2019t stand for me,\u201d Mason told the class. \u201cYou\u2019re standing for what I stand for, because when I put on these black robes, what I stand for is justice. We\u2019re standing out of respect for the rule of law.\u201d <\/p>\n
National Judicial Outreach Week, an initiative of the American Bar Association since 2017, is observed each March with the theme \u201cPreserving the Rule of Law.\u201d The Massachusetts Trial Court expanded the program to a full month in 2019.<\/p>\n
Seventy-five judges were scheduled to take part in events at schools, colleges, public libraries and senior centers throughout the state this month, including in Greenfield, South Deerfield, Monson, Chicopee and Orange.<\/p>\n
Students also heard from Skora and Probation Officer Sean MacDonald, both of the Northampton courts, about their respective roles in the judiciary. All three live in Hampshire County.<\/p>\n
\u201cFundamentally, what we all share with you is that we want to help people,\u201d Mason said. \u201cWe handle some of the most important problems and disputes that people get involved in \u2026 and that\u2019s why the work that we do can be so gratifying to you as you choose a career path.\u201d <\/p>\n
Once a premed student who couldn\u2019t stand the sight of blood, Mason said he had no idea what he wanted to do for a career. He studied psychology in college and said he had \u201cnever even met a judge\u201d before attending law school.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, I wasn\u2019t even thinking of being a lawyer. My grandmother used to tell me these were the hands of a physician,\u201d Mason said, but \u201cas a kid, I always had a real strong sense of justice. I wanted to make sure that people were treated fairly.\u201d <\/p>\n
Nyhasia Hall, a senior criminal justice student planning to go to Greenfield Community College, said she \u201calways wanted\u201d to be a court officer for a similar reason. She told the Gazette she had seen \u201cunfairness\u201d in the justice system and she wanted to be part of the solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like anybody being picked on,\u201d Hall said.<\/p>\n
She also likes the idea of protecting and assisting judges while doing a job that\u2019s not \u201ctoo much.\u201d Still, she is not sold on a particular career path and may become a paramedic or firefighter instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be more hands-on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Some classmates told the visiting court officials that they wanted to join the military, enter law enforcement or become probation officers or firefighters, as well.<\/p>\n
Skora, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said his job is complex and includes the responsibilities of first responder, security guard and jailer. He said he worked as a corrections officer after college and then decided to become a court officer to ensure he wouldn\u2019t have to work nights.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to be a people person\u201d to have a career in the judiciary, Skora said. \u201cPeople come to court because there\u2019s an issue, there\u2019s a problem in their life. They come to court to solve it. \u2026 We have to make sure that everyone in that task is safe.\u201d <\/p>\n
Salaries for a court officer top out at around $91,000 per year, while a chief probation officer can make up to $145,000 and a judge can earn $185,000, the three presenters said. Qualifications are different for each position, but Skora said court officers need to be versatile and ready for anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny how young, strong people, when they get taken into custody, they started having a heart attack. Everyone starts having a heart attack,\u201d Skora said to laughter. \u201cWe have to take that serious. \u2026 It\u2019s usually a panic attack, but you never know, so we have to go through the gauntlet.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mason said court officers have protected him and others in the wake of bomb scares and death threats, even though the only weapon they carry is mace.<\/p>\n
MacDonald, a 25-year veteran probation officer and a former youth league basketball coach in Northampton, showed students the GPS ankle monitor, breathalyzer and drug sample test cup that are standard tools in the field. He said the \u201cultimate goal is reducing recidivism,\u201d not additional punishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not here to send them away. We\u2019re here to work with them,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
He went to college to become a teacher, but like \u201cmy entire family, aunts, uncles, my parents,\u201d he said he felt a pull toward the court system. He became a social worker for the state and quickly decided on his current career.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a probation officer is fantastic,\u201d MacDonald said. \u201cI love my job and I wouldn\u2019t want to do anything else.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mason told the students that he had to leave at 9:30 a.m. to return to Hampden Superior Court, where he is presiding over a trial. Next month, the criminal justice students are planning to tour the Northampton courthouse, where Mason will be sitting, and they may hold a mock trial there.<\/p>\n
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.<\/em><\/div>\n