Working in the Adams County Courthouse is a lesson in reality.

That’s what seven summer interns employed by Circuit Clerk M.L. &uot;Binkey&uot; Vines are finding out.

&uot;I think the biggest wake-up call is that … people my age actually go to Parchman and do hard time,&uot; said Casey Rodgers.

Many of the interns, a combination of high school and college students, say the reality of viewing court proceedings strikes a chord with them.

&uot;When you watch a TV show you don’t think that could happen to you, (that) that could happen in your hometown,&uot; Ree Vess said.

But it can and it does, the students say.

&uot;It’s kind of scary,&uot; Vess said.

Michael Pace agreed that watching court could have an impact.

&uot;I think it changes your mentality, too,&uot; he said.

It gives you more of an understanding and respect for the law, the students said.

This is the second summer the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s office has provided this program to expose young people to the court process and to utilize them to complete clerical duties needed by the court.

Rodgers said the experience has helped him learn the duties of different people in the courtroom.

In the end he thinks the training may help if he decides to become an attorney.

&uot;It’s going to help me advance through law school,&uot; he said. &uot;Before this I never really knew how the court system worked.&uot;

Brandon Peoples, one of the younger interns, said the job gave him something to think about concerning his future.

&uot;It helps you find what you’re interested in,&uot; he said.