Winners: Law Day 2000

Administrative Office of the United States Courts
Thirty-four federal courthouses, some 40 judges, and more than 1,300 high school seniors participated in the federal courts’ “Law Day 2000: Judicial Independence is for You” program. The vehicle was a national satellite broadcast of a mock trial hearing, followed by a town hall discussion. Students assumed the role of judges assigned to a search and seizure case arising from a school incident. In the midst of simulated public pressure, the “judges” decided the case, then shared their results and rationale via satellite uplink, FAX and Internet. After the broadcast, host judges and attorneys at each courthouse conducted lively discussions with the students.
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Baton Rouge (LA) Bar Foundation
In the weeks leading up to Law Day 2000, students of all ages celebrated their freedom by participating in an elementary school play, a poster contest, and an essay contest. On Law Day, more than 1,400 students attended a celebration that included witnessing a naturalization ceremony and mini-mock trials performed by volunteer judges, lawyers and law enforcement officers. Other activities included a presentation by the Clerk of the Court’s office, which set up four voting booths to help students learn about the voting process.
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The Florida Law Related Education Association
Members of the Florida Supreme Court made personal visits to various schools with the assistance of the Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc. This collaborative venture included the Supreme Court expanding its efforts to encourage judges around the state to visit schools, interact with the students and teach about our justice system. The response from both students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive, and the visits became reciprocal learning experiences. Instrumental in the success of this program was the network of law magnet schools and academies in Florida.
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Genesee County (MI) Bar Association
The Genesee County Bar Association celebrated Law Week with the First Annual Juror Appreciation Day. The event at the Circuit Court featured complimentary refreshments, T-shirts, legal brochures and free legal advice. Fifteen attorneys volunteered, providing two hours of free advice. Additional activities included a high school roundtable discussion, in which 175 students from 16 high schools met with 10 attorneys and judges to discuss “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.” The students also participated in a mock trial concerning employment/wrongful discharge.
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Houston (TX) Bar Association
The Houston Bar Association’s Law Day 2000 activities focused on public education, with a particular emphasis on introducing culturally diverse groups of young children to Law Day and the importance of law in a democratic society. Programs were, however, geared towards to the entire community through cooperative efforts with the public library system, the courts, city government, and the dedication of HBA volunteers.
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