San Diego Teachers Make "The Court Connection"

Twenty five San Diego County social studies and law career path teachers participated in an event created specifically for them through the joint effort of  the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego Unified School District. The program held October 2, 2013, was designed to support the 5th, 8th and 12th grade transition to common core state standards, to focus on the importance of the judicial branch of government, and to help teachers promote civic responsibility and good citizenship among their students.

District Judge Janis L. Sammartino, Senior District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller, Chief Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes, Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major, Clerk of Court W. Samuel Hamrick, Jr., and Assistant Circuit Executive David Madden all presented information to the teachers and presided over specially set calendars giving the teachers an opportunity to observe actual court proceedings. The presenters then engaged with the teachers in small groups over lunch to discuss what they had seen and learned, allowing them to ask individual questions and delve more deeply into the subject matter.

The teachers reported that the program exceeded their expectations and that it was one of the best professional development opportunities they had been given. Having the opportunity to speak face-to-face with a federal judge was a highlight of the event.  So, despite the obstacles of having to find a substitute teacher and navigating traffic into downtown San Diego, the teachers felt they had gained a lot of useful information from the program that they could take back to their students.  They also learned about the numerous community outreach programs available in the Southern Distict of California for their students to participate in throughout the school year.

The court hopes to build on the success of this event and host another Court Connection program in June, 2014.

On October 1, 2013,  Hon. Michael Anello of the Southern District of California invited 25 high school seniors to observe opening statements and witness testimony in a criminal trial involving drugs being brought across the U.S./Mexico border. He then spent time answering the students questions about what they had observed and general questions about the court system. Judge Anello's law clerk, Colin MacDonald, then shared additional information with the students about high publicity cases heard
 in the Southern District.

 

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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