Report Accompanying House of Delegates Resolution Public Understanding of Justice System | Trends Affecting Public Knowledge and Confidence Efforts to Educate Public | Professional Responsibility of Lawyers Efforts to Educate Public The ABA has long supported organized public education activities through the efforts of many sections, divisions, and committees, including the Division for Public Education. In 1981, the Board of Governors asserted that "The effectiveness of the American legal system requires the fullest public understanding of its purposes and functions. The Association will encourage the development and implementation of public education programs designed to foster that understanding."7 The House of Delegates has approved numerous resolutions on Association support for law-related citizenship education since the 1970s. Earlier this decade, the House urged bar associations to become involved in Bill of Rights education programs and, in 1994, urged organized bar support for public education about the Constitution and the law through implementation of the national education goals and voluntary standards for civics education. Across the country, many bar associations and courts are also actively conducting innovative and comprehensive public education programs designed to foster public understanding of the law and the justice system, many in partnership with educators and civic groups. In May 1999, the ABA Committee on State Justice Initiatives surveyed bars and courts about a broad range of "justice initiatives." Bars and courts from 44 states reported that they are conducting 78 public education programs in schools and communities in their jurisdictions.8 The 1999 inventory of bar activities, conducted by the ABA Division for Bar Services, also showed that 45 of 52 state and 78 of 111 local bars surveyed reported sponsoring law-related education activities or developing resources at the elementary/secondary school level. Only 26 state and 15 local bars, however, reported conducting educational programs for the adult public.9 To broaden their outreach and enhance their effectiveness, these public education programs require greater support by lawyers and judges throughout the country. During the past year, a series of major ABA conferences have highlighted the contributions that public education can make to fostering public trust and confidence in system. In May 1999, nearly 500 bar, court, and community leaders convened in the nation's capital for a national conference on public trust and confidence in the justice system. The National Action Plan that resulted from this conference identified public understanding as a key critical issue and public education about the law and justice system as one of the most effective strategies required to address this issue.10 Further recognizing this need, the ABA Forum on Justice Improvements, held in St. Petersburg, Florida in October 1999, was devoted, in large part, to how public education can build public trust and confidence in the justice system. These sessions were held through the cooperation of the ABA Division for Public Education. In a cover letter introducing these sessions, Standing Committee on Public Education Chair Allan Tanenbaum emphasized that, “This effort [to foster trust and confidence in the justice system through public eduation] requires the full support of the legal and judicial communities and the professional organizations that represent us.” 11 7 Priorities of the American Bar Association Board of Governors, 1981. 8 "Summary of State and Local Justice Initiatives: the Courts, the Bar and the Public Working Together to Improve the Justice System," American Bar Association Committee on State Justice Initiatives, May 1999, pp. 21-22. 9 "1999 Bar Activities Inventory," American Bar Association Division for Bar Services, VIIc Public Education, questions #304, 306. 10 The National Action Plan has been published in a draft on the website of the National Center for State Courts at http://www.ncsc.dni.us/ptc/ptc.htm 11 “Question: How Can We Public Confidence in the System,” Answer: EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!” Resource Packet; ABA Forum on Justice Improvements; St. Petersburg, Florida; October 23, 1999. Back to Top House of Delegates Resolution