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CONTACT PERSON: VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 310-2590
| MAY 6, 2010 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
In recognition of Law Day 2010, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette J. Johnson presided over a mock trial at the Louisiana Supreme Court presented today by 90 students from Thomas Jefferson High School, Gretna, Louisiana. The mock trial is the culmination of weeks of preparation by the students. It is based on a Street Law, Inc. mock trial script that focuses on the issue of hazing on a university campus.
According to Justice Johnson, “Using this law-related education model, these students learn 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 public opinion. This mock trial program is a shining example of what Law Day is about.”
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. Additional 2010 Law Day inspired Supreme Court activities include:
• A 2010 Resolution issued by the Louisiana Supreme Court urging all Louisiana judges to dedicate the month of May 2010 to reaching out to students and schools to provide an opportunity to learn about the law, the role of a judge, and the court system first-hand from members of the judiciary;
• Two mock trials will be presented by Project L.E.A.D. (Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making) in the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal courtrooms with Court of Appeal Judges Paul Bonin and Michael Kirby presiding, respectively. Project L.E.A.D. is a 12-week course, sponsored by the Plaquemines Parish District Attorney’s Office, which provides several Assistant District Attorneys to teach the L.E.A.D classes;
• Lafourche Parish Student Government Day where students took over the parish government after spending a day shadowing the public officials Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Weimer, the judges of the 17th Judicial District Court, and the Thibodaux City Court Judge participated.
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