Republic of Tatarstan court officials
visit San Francisco to examine American court system

By Julia Cheever

June 9, 2007

Five prominent court officials from a Russian republic are taking a close-up look at the American court system through a week-long visit to state and federal courts in San Francisco beginning today.

The delegation from the Republic of Tatarstan includes three judges of the Supreme Court of Tatarstan and two high-ranking court officials.

Tatarstan, part of the Russian Federation, has a population of 3.7 million, including about 2 million ethnic Tatars, and is located 500 miles east of Moscow between the Volga and Kama rivers.

The visit is arranged through the Open World Leadership Center, an independent agency established by Congress to bring leaders from Russia and other Eurasian countries to the United States to observe democratic institutions in action.

Chief Judge Mary Schroeder of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will act as the official host representing the federal and state judiciary.

The delegation will visit the 9th Circuit, the U.S. District Court and San Francisco Superior Court as well as administrative operations at the Hall of Justice.

David Madden, a spokesman for the 9th Circuit, said the visitors will go to the federal appeals court twice to observe appellate hearings, meet with Schroeder and hear presentations on mediation, press relations and judicial security.

At the U.S. District Court at the Federal Building, the Russians will be told about federal jury trials, juror utilization and aspects of criminal prosecutions.

Finally, at San Francisco Superior Court and the Hall of Justice, the visiting judges and administrators will learn about court operations, the state jury system, family violence prevention programs and sentencing alternatives.

The visit ends on June 16.

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