A marvelous building stands in downtown Knoxville, where architecture soars to the top of the clock tower which overlooks the splendid courtyard. The Howard H. Baker Jr. U.S. Courthouse is more than just a federal building, it is an architectural dream. Inside the ‘Georgian-inspired' building no stone was left unturned with regards to the interior design of this modern day courthouse.

While walking the corridors and entering one of the courtrooms I was in awe of this beautiful building which is less than a 15-minute walk from the UT campus. From the unique pictures which grace the walls to the subtle woodwork on display, everything was just perfect.

The building itself houses seven court rooms, each stocked with the latest in court technology and ergonomic chairs. The offices surrounding the courts are all finished with real wood which adds great character and individualism to this modern day classic courthouse. The walls are painted either white or magnolia throughout the interior of the building, keeping with the neutral tone which each and every judge has to keep throughout a trial.

Ironic as it may seem some of Eastern Tennessee's most notorious criminals have traveled through this beautiful building. In a building fit for a king, murderers, drug dealers and fraudsters are all present when summoned before a judge. Throughout my tour, I couldn't help but ask, is such a graceful building necessary for people who, at the end of the day, make our community a worse place to live?       

In a building where millions of dollars have been spent to construct and provide an essential service to the people of East Tennessee, equally millions of dollars are spent in trials which have been conducted at the courthouse. With some trials lasting for years, dollar after dollar is spent to keep each and every trial alive. Could the money spent on such trials be spent in a more valuable way perhaps a way which will provide a positive image rather than a negative image which the courts have the stereotype of providing?

The Howard H. Baker Jr. U.S. Courthouse is a building which can be described as an eye-opener to many people. Tourists, locals and employees can all stand and stare at the building itself, although what really matters is how the eyes of the law perceives trials and gives each person who enters the courthouse on trial a fair one. Within the courthouse one thing I noticed whilst listening to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Phillips was his professionalism. It is standard and shines throughout his discussion and demeanor.  

It was not just the picturesque setting which enthralled me during my visit of the courthouse -- the welcoming which my classmates and I received from each and every member of staff was highly noticeable.

My visit was personally an unbelievable experience as I didn't just get the look inside a building; I got a look inside the American law system from a highly experienced figure within American law. My visit to the Howard H. Baker Jr. U.S. courthouse was inspiring and gave me, an international student from Ireland, the opportunity to understand the American judicial system just a little bit.