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CONTACT PERSON: VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 310-2590
| MAY 1 , 2007 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
In recognition of Law Day 2007 and in accordance with the court-adopted Resolution encouraging state court judges to participate in Law Day activities, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette J. Johnson hosted 120 seventh and eighth grade students from Sophie B. Wright Academy of Excellence at the Supreme Court today for a Dialogue On the American Jury. A Dialogue is a carefully planned discussion with students organized and facilitated by lawyers and judges. The purpose of the dialogue is to explore American civic values and traditions.
“The Dialogue with the middle-school students of Sophie B. Wright was ripe with insightful thoughts and sharp questions about the American jury system. Topics discussed related to the history of the jury trial, landmark rulings regarding juries as well as issues confronting the jury today---unanimous verdicts and exemptions from service,“ Justice Johnson said.
In addition to the Dialogue with Justice Johnson and her staff, the students were given a tour of the Supreme Court Building which included stops in the newly opened Louisiana State Law Museum and the Louisiana State Law Library.
Law Day, May 1, was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 in an effort to celebrate the American legal system and to strengthen understanding of the American heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. This year’s Law Day theme is Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.
Sophie B. Wright Academy of Excellence is a Recovery District Type 5 Public Charter School located in Uptown New Orleans that is operated by a board of directors composed of educators from Southern University at New Orleans.
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