At this year’s Wayne County Fair, visitors of all ages stepped into the courtroom experience –donning a judge’s robe, sitting behind the bench, and even striking the gavel.

Judge Latecia Wiles of the Wayne County Probate and Juvenile Court brought the courtroom to fairgoers to explain the role of the court and answer questions from the public.

“These questions range from ‘My dad passed away; How do we transfer his vehicle?’ to ‘I got called for jury duty. What happens if I cannot appear?’” Judge Wiles said.

While the courtroom setup is relatively new, Judge Wiles has embarked on a mission to bring civic education to the county fair since 2013.

By distributing pamphlets and court-related forms, the court assists people who are representing themselves in cases and provides public education on a number of legal processes, including filing for custody, guardianship, and more. Pamphlets are also provided for those looking to volunteer as a guardian, guardian ad litem, or mentor.

The court booth also provides annual guardianship forms required for guardians by the court.

“We have people who come to the booth to pick up the forms each year so that they can turn them in before the deadline,” Judge Wiles mentioned.

By bringing the court to the people, Judge Wiles hopes to educate the public and make the judiciary more accessible to the people of Wayne County.