Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been channeling her former career this past week as she takes part in an rare Senate proceeding — an impeachment trial for a federal judge.

Klobuchar is one of 12 senators participating in the impeachment trial of New Orleans District Court Judge Thomas Porteous, the first person to face impeachment since President Bill Clinton. It's the first impeachment trial of a judge since 1989.

Klobuchar said she and the other senators were chosen to participate primarily because of their past courtroom experience. Klobuchar was Hennepin County attorney before she was elected to the Senate in 2006.

While she's not the one fighting for a conviction in this case, Klobuchar said the trial has been "incredibly interesting." The Senate trial, taking place in the same hearing room where Supreme Court nominees are questioned, is somewhat similar to a criminal courtroom, such as lawyers voicing objections. But there are plenty of differences — including the half-dozen House members serving as the prosecution team.

Klobuchar declined to get into case details, but said that she's realized one thing: "Louisiana legal culture is clearly different than Minnesota's."

The trial for the Louisiana judge, which began last week, has been filled with talk of lap dances, vodka and buckets of shrimp, the Times-Picayune reported, as Porteous faces charges of corruption.

In March, the House voted unanimously to bring charges of four impeachment articles against Porteous. The Senate can convict him with a two-thirds majority.

Unlike the Clinton impeachment trial, where the full Senate participated in the proceedings, the 12-senator panel in this case will issue a report before the full senate votes on impeachment.

The trial resumes Tuesday and should wrap up this week.