Outline for Talks to Large Groups/Assemblies

Source:

Written by Judge Kathryn Loring and edited in 2019 by the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Public Trust and Confidence Committee. For more information, contact AOC, Temple of Justice, 415 12th Ave SW, PO Box 41174, Olympia, WA 98504-1174. For an electronic copy of this lesson, or to view other lesson plans, visit Judges in the Classroom on the Washington Courts Web site at: www.courts.wa.gov/education/.

Objectives:

1. Students will identify the three branches of government.

2. Students will list several powers of the judicial branch.

3. Students will be able to describe the elements presented by the judge on the topic covered.

4. Students will see judges as persons with individual life histories and experiences.

Grade Level:

Grades K-12

Time:

Times vary depending upon the length.

Description:

Many times, judges are invited to address a school-wide audience at an assembly or similar event. It is difficult to make these events as interactive as one would like. However, judges are encouraged to ask questions to the audience. Take answers from audience members, making sure to repeat the answer into the microphone so all can hear. Consider having those students who agree with a specific statement stand. What are listed below are topics for judges to consider in addressing students. Consider the age and interest of the audience.

Judicial officers who are presenting on Constitution Day may want to review the Constitution Day resources on www.civicsrenewalnetwork.org/constitutionday/preamble-challenge-toolkit/ and www.icivics.org/teachers/wa for short videos and ideas that might enhance their presentation.

1. INTRO

• Personal summary
• What made you want to become a judge?
• Path to the bench
• Why do we have laws?
• Separation of powers
• What role do courts play?
2. YOUR COURT

• How does your court fit into the larger judicial branch?
• Jurisdiction limitations?
• Most common types of cases – who appears in your court and why?
• Day to day job
• Most rewarding / challenging
• Most important characteristics / skills
3. COMMON ACCESS TO JUSTICE ISSUES YOU SEE

• Language limitations
• Access to attorneys
• Discuss when one has a right to have an attorney appointed
• Resources for self-represented litigants
• Fear by immigrant community
• Mental health issues
• Drug addiction
• Efforts to make our courts more welcoming and responsive
4. JURY TRIAL

• Constitutional right to trial by jury – what types of cases?
• Importance of jury of one’s peers – what does that mean?
• Service on a jury – what does it look like, why should you respond?
5. PROBLEM SOVLING COURTS

• Drug Court
• Veteran’s Court
• Mental Health Court
6. CONSTITUTION / CIVIL RIGHTS – Frequently Requested - See attached list

• What is the bill of rights?
• How did we get them?
• How would our lives be different if we didn’t have them?
• Discuss a few? – Free speech, search and seizure, against self-incrimination?

Thank students for their time.

Simplified United States Bill of Rights*

FIRST AMENDMENT This amendment guarantees the right of freedom from establishment of religion, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom for people to get together peacefully, and freedom for people to send petitions to their government.

SECOND AMENDMENT This amendment states that in order to have a prepared military, people are guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms.

THIRD AMENDMENT This amendment states that the government cannot force people to house and feed soldiers in their homes during times of peace.

FOURTH AMENDMENT This amendment states that people, their homes or their belongings are protected from unreasonable searches or seizures. Warrants may not be issued except upon probable cause, and must specifically describe the place to be searched and the person or thing to be seized.

FIFTH AMENDMENT This amendment guarantees a person accused of a serious crime the right to be charged by a grand jury. Persons cannot be forced to give evidence against themselves. If a person is found not guilty of a crime, he/she cannot be put on trial for the same crime again. The federal government cannot unfairly take peoples' lives, freedom or property. The government must pay a person for any property it takes for public use.

SIXTH AMENDMENT This amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury if a person is accused of a crime. The accused has the right to be told of what they are accused. They have the right to a lawyer. They have a right to see and to question those people who accuse them of the crime.

SEVENTH AMENDMENT This amendment guarantees a trial by jury in civil cases. (Disputes between private parties or between the government and a private party.)

EIGHTH AMENDMENT This amendment guarantees that excessive bail or excessive fines will not be imposed and that punishment will not be cruel and unusual.

NINTH AMENDMENT This amendment states that the people have other rights that are not stated here.

TENTH AMENDMENT This amendment states that the people have all the rights not given to the United States government or forbidden to state governments by the U.S. Constitution. *This focuses on the first ten amendments, but many rights are included in the body of the United States Constitution and in subsequent amendments.