Court Commemorates Independence Day with Naturalization Ceremony

Back row from left are Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan, Jr., and Chief District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, and in front is Ms. Marilyn Alcon, naturalization clerk

The United States District Court for the District of Guam held a naturalization ceremony in celebration of Independence Day.  Held July 3, 2013, the court welcomed 38 new citizens, who are from the countries of China, the Federated States of Micronesia, Italy, Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.  Chief District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood made welcoming remarks and administered the Oath of Allegiance while Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan, Jr., led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. “I am honored to be a part of this special Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony and celebrate with 38 new naturalized citizens the 237^th birthday of our nation,” said Judge Tydingco-Gatewood.

 

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Central District of California Welcomes Student Groups

As the school year winds down and the summer break approaches, May is typically a busy month for educational outreach activities at the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Several judges in the Western Division welcomed students from local area schools for mock trials and educational programs in May, including the following:  

On May 15, approximately 50 third-grade students and two teachers from Wilmington Park Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a discussion with Senior District Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr., and a presentation by the U.S. Marshals Service in Judge Hatter’s courtroom.  The students also visited Judge Hatter’s chambers.

 

On May 17, approximately 25 fifth-graders from Utah Street Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a mock trial presided over by District Judge S. James Otero in his courtroom.  The mock trial served as the culmination of a year-long course on the criminal justice system presented by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.  After the mock trial, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., congratulated the students and presented them with their graduation certificates.  U.S. Attorney Birotte and several assistant U.S. attorneys who taught the course also spoke to the students about the benefits of an education and careers in the law and law enforcement over a pizza lunch at the U.S. attorney’s office.

On May 22, approximately two dozen 12th graders from Inglewood High School visited the Spring Street Courthouse as part of a new “We the Students” program sponsored by DLA Piper.  The event was hosted by Senior District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall in her courtroom, and District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., and former U.S. Marshal and Inglewood High School alumnus Tony Perez spoke to the students about their respective career paths.  Following a visit to Judge Marshall’s chambers and a demonstration by her court recorder, the students who won a related essay contest read their winning essays and received their awards.

On May 23, a class of third-grade students from Mount Washington Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse to participate in a mock trial presided over by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh.  After the mock trial, the students were treated to a pizza lunch by Judge Walsh.

"Bring Your Child to Work Day" at The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

 

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California welcomed the children of staff from the Office of the U.S. Attorney and the Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc. for a day of fun and learning about the court system in which their parents work.

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Justice Kennedy's Guide for Young Readers

Young people interested in learning more about the American heritage of liberty and democracy need go no further than the books, speeches and films most admired by one of the nation’s preeminent jurists.

"Understanding Freedom’s Heritage: How to Keep and Defend Liberty" is a young people’s list of summer reading and viewing suggested by United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. The list was shared by Justice Kennedy earlier this year at the opening of the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Library and Learning Center, which is housed in the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento.

Working with organizers of the foundation formed to support the library and learning center, the Ninth Circuit Library has posted the list along with links to many of the titles available in the public domain on its Internet website.

Western District of Washington Holds Ceremony to Welcome Youngest U.S. Citizens

Chief Judge Pechman with Lily and Aaron Woods

On June 21, 2013, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, in partnership with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, welcomed five children who became new U.S. citizens. They were introduced by the Kent American Legion Color Guard during the welcoming ceremony. Chief District Judge Marsha J. Pechman, who administered the Oath of Allegiance.

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Bring a Child to Work Day

On June 26, 2013,the Southern District of California hosted its annual Bring a Child to Work Day.  65 children of court staff, Probation, Pretrial Services, Bankruptcy and the Clerk's Office visited the Court to learn what happens when mom and dad leave for work each day. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Latham welcomed the children to the District and gave them an overview of how the federal court system works. Deputy U.S. Marshal Joanne Boyd and her partner Ella taught the children about the life of an explosive sniffing canine and her handler. The younger children visited a courtroom and got to see a holding cell. The older children visited MCC and learned about life in a jail and had an opportunity to observe court proceedings.  Both groups participated in age appropriate mock trial proceedings presided over by District Judge Dana Sabraw, Bankruptcy Judge Margaret Mann and Magistrate Judge Barbara Major. It was a very fun, busy and educational day for all.

Making it Real

On June 17, 2013, District Judge Anthony Battaglia (Southern District of Californa) hosted a group of high school students attending a summer "Criminal Justice Academy" coordinated by Exploring. These 25 students, who are all planning to pursue a career in law or law enforcement, had an opportunity to watch actual sentencings and probation revocations followed by a panel presentation consisting of representatives from some the many careers available in and associated with the federal judiciary. From ICE to MCC, court reporting to interpreting, prosecution to defense, nearly a dozen representatives shared their stories with these students and told them what it takes to be competitive for these government jobs.  It was a wonderful learning experience for the students and an enjoyable presenting experience for the professionals.