(FORT MYERS, Fla.) — Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) interns had the opportunity to observe initial appearances in the courtroom of Judge Tara Pascotto Paluck in Lee County on Tuesday, June 25. The visit provided the interns with a valuable firsthand look at the judicial process.
The interns, Lili Mutter, Jonathan Perez, Sebastian Vazquez, and Sophia Cirilli, attended several hearings before engaging in a question-and-answer session with Judge Paluck. This interactive experience allowed the interns to deepen their understanding of courtroom decorum and courtroom procedures, while inspiring law students who may want to pursue trial work or the bench in the future.
Judge Paluck was elected to a newly created County Court seat in November 2006. As a County Court Judge, she presides over all types of County Court matters, including criminal misdemeanor, county civil, small claims, civil traffic infractions, and municipal/county ordinances. In April 2016, she was appointed Co-Administrative Judge for the Lee County Court division by Chief Judge Michael McHugh and served as Administrative Judge of County Court for Lee County from October 2020 to July 2023.
The visit was organized with the help of Amanda Levy Reis, FRLS Staff Attorney and PAI Coordinator. Her efforts ensured a seamless and enriching experience for the interns.