A variety of ways to provide civics education

The first quarter of 2015 has been jam packed with opportunities for fun and education in the Southern District of California. 14 events were offered to 1040 students between January and March. These events included mock trials, courtroom observations, jobs panels, CARE presentations, marshals presentations and the 9th annual Open Doors to the Court event. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we'll just post a few photos that reflect the variety of activities students participated in.


Students from Moscow, Russia pose with District Judge Anthony Battaglia



Magistrate Judge Barbara Major gives the "Readers Oath" to elementary school students to be life long readers on Literacy Day.



Magistrate Judge William Gallo confers with his student judge as to the proper sentence for Goldilocks.

 

District Judge Dana Sabraw and Magistrate Judge Karen Crawford participate in a reenactment of Wards Cove Packing Co v. Antonio presented by the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego 

District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo poses with 4th grade students who participated in a mock trial

 

Deputry Marshal Joanne Boyd and her partner, Ella teach students how canines find explosives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April in the Southern District of California

April has been an amazingly busy month for community outreach in the Southern District of California. We hosted 5 separate events including a SECOND Open Doors to the Court event on April 14. In total, we welcomed over 330 students, ages 8-17, to the courthouse.  Students participated in mock trials, observed court proceedings, learned about the various jobs associated with the federal courts and how to manage credit wisely. The Marshals let the younger students try on equipment and see a holding cell. And of course, Ella, their explosives detecting canine was very popular. These programs were very well received by the students, teachers and parent chaperones who visited the court to learn more about their federal judiciary.  In addition to these in-court presentations, District Judge John Houston traveled to a local high school to teach 120 students about how cases travel through the court system.

March in the Southern District of California

 The Southern District of California hosted 4 separate events in March, welcoming over 400 students to the court.  On March 7 and March 12, 2014,  75 third grade students participated in the mock trial of Goldilocks. Magistrate Judge David Bartick, Magistrate Judge Mitchell Dembin and Bankruptcy Judge Chris Latham presided as these youngsters took on all the roles assisted by court staff and attorneys. After the mock trials, the U.S. Marshals showed the children holding cells and let them try on official Marshals gear.  The also learned about how explosives-sniffing canines do their job and had the opportunity to pet our own amazing doggie deputy

 On March 19, 2014, 315 high school seniors had the opportunity to participate in Open Doors to the Federal Court.  The program, which ran on 3 tracks, introduced these young adults to careers associated with the courts, gave them an understanding of how to use credit wisely and allowed them to participate in a mock trial about a teenager accused of trying to import marijuana across the border.  This scenario is one that is often seen in CASDs courtrooms and the realistic nature of the charges will hopefully help the students make better choices in their own futures.  10 of CASDs judges participated in this incredible educational event. It could not have been offered without the support of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Defenders, Probation, Pretrial Services and the U.S. Marshals. By working together, we were able to offer these students an opportunity they could not have gotten anywhere else.

Federal Court in San Diego Welcomes Students

The United States District Court for the Southern District of California welcomed nearly 400 high school seniors to its annual Open Doors to Federal Courts program held March 20, 2013, in San Diego.  The objective is to bring high school students, teachers, judges, court staff, and lawyers together to enhance public knowledge and understanding of the federal court system. 

The district's annual event included a Legal Careers Panel; Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) hosted by bankruptcy court judges; and a mock trial in which students participated in the various roles.

During the careers discussion, students heard from prosecution and defense attorneys who work within the federal system, as well as a probation officer, courtroom deputy, court reporter, interpreter and a deputy U.S. marshal. Each discussed their roles and responsibilities. Attorneys present also shared the education and experience they received in order to attain these positions.

Bankruptcy judges explained to students the ins and outs of using credit and how to wisely use credit cards. The goal of the CARE program is to prepare young people to intelligently manage their credit and to keep them from ever seeing the inside of a bankruptcy court.

The event culminated with students participating in a scripted mock trial presided over by judges of the Southern District. The trial explored the real life hazards of texting while driving, giving students a chance to discuss and debate the ramifications of this risky behavior. The day emphasized the importance of civic responsibility, good citizenship and impartiality to these young men and women preparing to leave highs school and enter the adult work force.