At Centennial College, some of the best learning happens outside of a classroom. Students of our Paralegal Program found this out when their lessons took them to the local courthouse. These trips to a Provincial Offences courtroom gave them the chance to observe real-life legal proceedings and see the concepts they’ve studied in action. Practical exposure like this is a vital part of their paralegal education, bridging the gap between textbooks and the courtroom. Here’s how this hands-on opportunity deepened their understanding of the legal system, as told by students and their professor, Michael Lee.
The latest set of field trips took place on March 31st and April 2nd, and brought students to the Toronto East Provincial Offences court, located just north of Centennial College’s Progress Campus.
“These trips are unique,” says professor Michael Lee, “as it takes the students out of the classroom, and allows them to see what actually happens in Provincial Offences courts.”
“The students walk away with a much better understanding on how the Provincial courts operate, and actually hearing from many of the role players they learned about in class,” he continues. “They witness what their role may be if the decide to represent defendants in Provincial Offences court, or if the wish to be on the prosecution side.”
Meet the Students
“I’ve always been interested in big, philosophical questions, and I naturally found myself drawn to social justice issues, especially those happening in my home city,” says Cynthia Cheung, a paralegal student. “That interest really deepened during the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in Hong Kong. It was a turning point for me. I saw how quickly laws could be changed by those in power, and how that impacted people’s lives and even tore communities apart. Friends and families were divided, and the city I knew felt fractured. But what really left a mark on me was seeing ordinary people stand up and speak out, even when they were facing police, tear gas, and real danger. It made me realize just how important freedom of speech is, and how powerful the law can be, for better or worse.”
Meanwhile, fellow student Erin McFayden had gone to university for law, but wasn’t sure what kind of law career she wanted, until she found out about the Paralegal Program at Centennial.
“It was mentioned to me that Centennial College had a paralegal program,” Erin says, “and further research revealed that a plethora of legal areas were going to be taught, there was a placement opportunity for field experience, and there was the tactile coursework that college is known for. This program was perfectly curated to expose me to multiple sides of the law, which has helped me understand which area suits me, and reaffirms this is the right career for me.”
Court is in Session
During these two field trips, the paralegal students heard from court professionals, including court administrators, prosecutors, and Justices of the Peace, who shared insights into their roles, career journeys, and the day-to-day operations of the court. During the March 31st visit, the speakers were Daria Kotliar, Manager of Court Operations City of Toronto, Erin Baker, the Manager of Prosecutions for the east court location, and Justice of the Peace Ann Walker, the Local Area Justice of the Peace for the East court. And on April 2nd, students listened to Martin Murray, Court Services Manager, Rachel Asselstine, Supervisor of Prosecutions, and His Worship Keon Lee. Students also observed live court proceedings, including Highway Traffic Act matters and remote court appearances, gaining a firsthand look at how legal processes function.
“The first part of the trip had lectures from three key roles in the provincial offences office; a court administrative officer, a prosecutor, and a judge,” Erin says. “Each spoke about their duties, their journey from school to their current positions, and what their typical day-to-day activities are—this was an insightful look into how these roles work together and independently. The second part of the trip was time for us to sit in different courtrooms and observe an actual session. This was highly informative, as it was our class lectures lifted from the page.”
“One hearing stood out to me in particular,” Cynthia says. “There was a docket with multiple defendants, all represented by the same lawyer. I was really impressed by how efficiently the court moved through each case, as everything was handled so quickly yet so neatly. One case that stood out to me in that docket involved an Indigenous person experiencing homelessness who had been charged with several Part I offences. They weren’t able to pay the fines due to their circumstances. It made me reflect on how complex and layered access to justice can be. It reminded me that as a future legal professional, I need to consider the bigger picture, including people's lived experiences and systemic barriers, not just the legal rules.”
Closing Arguments
“What really stood out to me was just how personal the law can be,” Cynthia says about what she took from the trip. “Behind every case, there’s a real person with their own story, challenges, and background. It’s something that can easily be overlooked when you’re focused on legal rules and technicalities. This trip reminded me that if I want to work in the legal field, I have to always remember the human side of it.”
“One of the most valuable things I learned was the role of discretion,” Erin says. “How justices balance facts, fairness, and law. Watching the judge handle each accused's matter, interpreters, and offence certificates by explaining her reasons behind accepting or rejecting valid and invalid certificates demonstrated in-the-moment use of her expertise that informed her decision-making. This took into account everything I have learned within the Provincial Offences course, but also displayed how the justice’s personal thought-process played a role in the decisions she made.”
“This experience will help me in my future career because it gave me a much clearer understanding of how the justice system works in the field,” Cynthia says. “It’s one thing to study cases in class or read about legal procedures, but seeing it all happen in real time brought everything to life for me. Watching court hearings and listening to legal professionals talk about their experiences helped me see how important it is to be organized, focused, and respectful of the process. I also noticed how quickly things can move in court, and how much impact each decision can have on someone’s life.”
“Overall, this trip gave me a lot to think about,” she adds. “It confirmed that I’m on the right path and gave me a clearer idea of the kind of legal professional I want to be.”
Field experiences like these are just one of the many ways Centennial College’s Paralegal Program prepares students for success in the legal field. By combining paralegal training with real-world exposure, the program helps students gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to thrive in a variety of legal careers. Whether you’re passionate about social justice, interested in courtroom procedure, or looking to make a meaningful impact through law, Centennial’s hands-on approach ensures you’re ready for whatever path you choose. If you’re considering a future in the legal world, there’s no better place to start than right here.
By Anthony Geremia