Five Russian judges visited Kansas University Law School and Douglas County District Court on Monday, part of a visit they hope will help them as their countryâÂÂs judicial system undergoes profound change.

âÂÂThe experience of American judges, working with juries, is very helpful for us, because itâÂÂs going to be the new form of our criminal courts,â Vladimir Syskov, chairman of the Chelyabinsk Regional Court, said through an interpreter.

Russia, which has used the jury trial system infrequently, will begin using juries in all criminal courts starting Jan. 1.

LawrenceâÂÂs John Lungstrum, chief judge for the U.S. District Court in Kansas, was instrumental in bringing the group to Kansas. He welcomed his international colleagues to the law school Monday.

âÂÂItâÂÂs an opportunity to strengthen their growing tradition of an independent judiciary,â Lungstrum said.

The judges were visiting under the Open World Program, which is run by the Library of Congress. Congress created the program in 1999 to bring Russian leaders to the United States to experience the nationâÂÂs culture and practices.

Nearly 4,000 Russians have visited 680 communities across the country. There is no reciprocal exchange planned for U.S. officials to visit Russia.

âÂÂWe see ourselves providing a service to legal education worldwide,â said John Head, a KU professor.

The other judges:

• Sergey Karlinov, 37, deputy chairman of the Leninsky District Court in Chuvash Republic.
• Aleksandr Koshkin, 38, Supreme Court judge in the Chuvashia Republic.
• Viktor Shirnin, 44, judge in the Altai Krai Court.
• Yekaterina Teplyakova, 34, deputy chairwoman of the Pechorsky City Court.

At KU, students get hands-on work with clients long before they graduate. ThatâÂÂs different from the Russian system.

âÂÂWhen I joined a law firm after graduation, I wasnâÂÂt allowed to do anything for six months,â Teplyakova said. âÂÂIâÂÂd go to court with a more experienced attorney and watch. I was allowed to observe and assist but nothing more.âÂÂ

For the rest of the week, the judges will visit Washburn University Law School in Topeka. TheyâÂÂll also tour other local, state and federal courts in Topeka and Kansas City before leaving the area Saturday.

Their visit it not all work. The judges will attend tonightâÂÂs Kansas University game against Holy Cross, and theyâÂÂre getting a few shopping opportunities throughout the week.

Syskov said he was enjoying his visit.

âÂÂThe main thing is the people – very friendly, very hospitable people,â he said. âÂÂItâÂÂs also very warm here, compared to what weâÂÂre used to.âÂÂ