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CONTACT PERSON:
VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 599-0319
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MAY 5, 2003 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
In
recognition of Law Day 2003 theme, Celebrate Your Freedom:
Independent Courts Protect Our Liberties , Louisiana
Supreme Court Justice
Bernette J. Johnson presided over a mock trial presented
today at the Louisiana Supreme Court by 36 fifth grade students
from Port Sulphur High in Plaquemines Parish.
The mock trial is
the culmination of a 12 week program, Project L.E.A.D. (Legal
Enrichment and Decision-making), which is sponsored by the
Plaquemines Parish District Attorney's Office and provides
several Assistant District Attorney to teach the L.E.A.D.
classes.
"The L.E.A.D. classes
are designed to help students recognize and analyze potential
consequences of the difficult decisions they face during adolescence
and beyond. By focusing on peer pressure, responsibility,
self-respect, self-control and self esteem, Project L.E.A.D.
gives students the tools necessary to avoid many of the pitfalls
and traps that often lead to delinquent conduct and criminal
activity," said Plaquemines Parish District Attorney Darryl
W. Bubrig, Sr.
The Project L.E.A.D.
mock trial revolves around a fictitious case where a student
is charged with selling drugs on the Plaqumines High School
campus. According to Justice Johnson, "Using this law-related
education model, these students have learned first hand that
the rule of law protects our freedoms in a democracy and that
legal cases are decided by applying the law to the facts,
not by the passions of the moment or by public opinion. This
program is a shining example of what Law Day is all about."
Law Day, May 1,
was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957
in an effort to celebrate the American legal system and strengthen
understanding of the American heritage of liberty, justice
and equality under the law.
In addition the
hosting the mock trial, the Louisiana Supreme Court also sponsored
a "What Law Day Means to Me" Poster Contest for
Louisiana middle and high school students participating in
the Celebrate Your Freedom Youth Summit conducted by the Louisiana
Center for Law Related Education.
For TV stations
unable to attend in person a satellite feed will be available.
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