New Orleans Bar Association Contact: Michael A. Golemi New Orleans Bar Association Young Lawyers Section 701 Poydras Street, Suite 5000 New Orleans, LA 70139 E-mail: magolemi@liskow.com Law Day 2002 Activity Summary: On May 1, Criminal Court Law Day took place at the parish criminal court, where students acted as jurors during actual criminal proceedings. Also on May 1, Civil Court Law Day took place at the parish civil court, where students participated as jurors during a mock civil trial, and they also witnessed the presentation of the Liberty Bell Award to officer Juan Barnes. On May 9, Federal Court Law Day occurred in the chambers of a United States District Court judge, where students were treated to a presentation from a drug sniffing canine unit, as well as a mock trial. Activity Narrative: Law Day 2002 was commemorated in New Orleans through three separate, interactive programs sponsored by the New Orleans Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. These programs were designed to expand public awareness of the rule of law by targeting some of those who are most eager to learn—the city's school children. Civil Court Law Day was held on May 1, 2002, in the courtroom of Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Roland L. Belsome. The students of Live Oak Middle School attended, along with several public officials, members of the judiciary, and members of the bar, leaving standing room only in the courtroom. Portraits drawn by children from the St. John's Community Center were unveiled depicting the artists' impressions of what "justice" means to them. The children were later honored during a separate event at Civil District Court for their participation in "Art for Justice's Sake," where they received medals presented by the New Orleans Bar Association. New Orleans City Attorney Mavis Early appeared on behalf of New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial to present the Mayor's proclamation declaring the day officially "Law Day 2002"and to impart words of inspiration to the students. Judge Belsome also gave his own speech to the students, in which he stressed this year's Law Day theme of "Assuring Equal Justice for All," stating that the courtroom is one of the few places where people truly are equal, and that justice is delivered, regardless if income or race. The civil program included a mock civil trial between "B.B. Wolf" and "Hamlet Pig." Students participated as jurors and rendered a verdict, deciding not to award damages to B.B. Wolf. The highlight of the program was the presentation of the Liberty Bell Award, which is presented annually be the New Orleans Bar Association to a non-lawyer who has performed outstanding community service by promoting a greater respect for the law and contributing to good government in the community. This year's award was given to officer Juan D. Barnes, Sr., who is a New Orleans Police Department officer who was shot in the line of duty last year during pursuit of a drug suspect. Officer Barnes delivered a motivational speech to the students about the value of education and the evils of drug use. Criminal Court Law Day simultaneously took place on May 1, 2002, in the courtroom of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Leon A. Cannizzaro, Jr. The students of Edna Karr Secondary School attended. Judge Cannizzarro brought criminal defendants into the courtroom and had actual criminal proceedings take place before the students. The defendants not only explained the crimes of which they were accused, but they also had to explain to the students where their lives took a turn for the worse and into criminal activity. The lawyers and the judge also explained the proceedings to the students step-by-step. The students even were allowed to vote on the guilt or innocence of the accused (non-binding, of course). Finally, Federal Court Law Day occurred on May 9, 2002, in the chambers of United States District Court Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. Attendees included students from the New Orleans Charter Middle School. In addition to an address from Judge Porteous, there was a presentation from the canine unit of the Jefferson Parish Special Narcotics Division, as well as a mock trial put on by the United States Marshal's Office, the United States Attorney's Office, and the Public Defender's office. The students in each of the programs received pocket United States Constitutions. Their teachers each received the ABA Bill of Rights poster series for their classrooms. The extent of New Orleans Law Day's outreach to the public was great in 2002. Not only were three public schools directly involved, but also the public at large was made aware of Law Day events through widespread media coverage. Local television stations aired the Civil Court Law Day proceedings during the evening news. A picture from these same proceedings also was splashed across the front page of the Metro Section of the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper. The impact of these activities continues to extend beyond Law Day. The Young Lawyers Section of the New Orleans Bar Association also runs a program called "Law Through Sports," in which young lawyers instruct students from one or more schools during the year about the legal system and prepare them to participate in a mock trial. The message of Law Day carries on throughout the year in New Orleans. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization