It’s that time of year again, when eager, fresh-faced law and pre-law students put on their suits and shine their shoes so they can spend their summer days inside a windowless courtroom.

That’s right, the interns have descended on the Westchester County Courthouse.

Some are working for the District Attorney’s office, while others have been assigned to various judges. Dozens of them fill the criminal courtrooms, watching motions and arguments and objections and all sorts of legal maneuvering by the pros.

Their presence usually surprises attorneys, who aren’t used to having an audience (other then a friendly neighborhood beat reporter) watch them in action. Personally, I like having them around because they make me feel a little less conspicuous in the courtroom. I still stand out, though, because I’m old enough to be their mother youthful aunt, and because I tend to favor business casual outfits over job interview suits.

As someone who had three college internships (including a paid one as a capitol news intern in Harrisburg), I can attest that these students are getting an education that can’t be found in a book or classroom. I wish them all the best (and that includes our three summer interns here in the newsroom).