spectators

     You may be surprised, the first time you go to court, to see an audience. These are just members of the public, and are usually called "spectators". Some of them may have an interest in a case being tried--perhaps they are family members or friends of a defendant, a witness, or a victim. Some may just be interested in what is going on because they saw it on TV, or read about it in the newspaper. And some people just think that what goes on in a court is interesting. They are there because the United States Constitution guarantees the accused "the right to a speedy and public trial". This is part of the VI ( 6th ) Amendment. Anyone can usually sit and watch any trial, as long as he or she doesn't make noise or interrupt. You can try it for yourself. If you need to leave before it is over, leave quietly--or ask about that when you go in.
    The "public trial" provision in our Constitution is to make sure that a trial is conducted fairly for everyone. Since there are witnesses, everyone has to behave and follow proper court procedure. I don't know if a trial has to be postponed if there are no spectators, but it probably should be--after all, it wouldn't be a public trial. An accused who was convicted in a trial with no spectators might later claim that his or her trial was unfair or unconstitutional. He or she would probably be granted a new trial--so the spectators aren't merely allowed to watch the court--they are necessary.