Civil Jury Trial Report

On Monday, March 21 2016, I attended a civil jury trial at the Bergen County Justice center located on 10 Main Street in Hackensack, New Jersey. The name of the case was Russy vs. Hackensack University Medical Center. The docket number was 003606. The plaintiff was Vanessa Russy, her attorney was Michael J. Maggiano and the defendant’s attorney was Louis A. Ruprecht. The judge was Rachelle L. Harz. The plaintiff, Vanessa Russy was seeking damages from the defendant, her former obstetrician-gynecologist, for alleged malpractice that reportedly took place on June 20, 2011. Vanessa Russy has claimed that due to malpractice completed by the defendant during her C- section she can no longer work. Before Mrs. Russy’s C-section, she was employed
I was a bit intimated walking in due to how big the courthouse looked, but once I arrived, I went to the help desk and a police officer kindly directed me to the room I was looking for. I was a bit surprised when I walked into the courtroom regarding its size. I expected to be a lot bigger due to the media’s representation of courtrooms on TV shows and movies. The courtroom was very plan looking, but neat. When I first arrived only a few people were present and court was not yet in session. Within fifteen minutes of me arriving, the judge, Rachelle L. Harz, walked in and asked if everyone was ready, however, a juror had not yet arrived, and it took approximately ten more minutes for the juror to arrive, and then court was in session. While waiting for the juror to arrive, the plaintiff’s attorney approached me and he was very pleasant, he asked me what school I attended, what my major was and if I am considering law school. He also pointed out that Montclair State University has a very good paralegal program, which is something that I have been
Harz, appeared to be a Caucasian female in her late fifties. The plaintiff’s attorney, Michael J. Maggiano, appeared to be a Caucasian male in his sixties. The defendant’s attorney, Louis A. Ruprecht, appeared to be a Caucasian male in his sixties. The plaintiff, Vanessa Russy, is thirty-nine years old and appeared to be a Caucasian female. The defendant appeared to be a Caucasian male in his mid-forties. The plaintiff’s expert witness, Professor Kristin K. Kucsma, appeared to be a Caucasian female in her mid to late forties. The plaintiff’s expert witness appeared to be a Caucasian male in his sixties. Professor Kristin K.