Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

14th Annual Tri-Cities Youth & Justice Forum focuses on technology and justice careers

PASCO -- More than 200 middle and high school students from throughout the Tri-Cities will learn how science and technology can aid in the quest for justice and in opening access to justice for people facing barriers, at a Nov. 3 forum at Columbia Basin College. The students will also learn about various law-related careers and how important diversity is toward improving the justice system.

Forensics, drones, use of social media in the justice system, and the use of technology to help people access the justice system will all be topics at the day-long forum. Speakers will include Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, Benton Franklin Counties Bar Association President Diana Ruff, Attorney Omar Contreras, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Attorney Nancy Kim, ESD 123 Superintendent Darcy Weisner, Director Miguel Willis of the Access to Justice Technology Fellowship Program, as well as local police officers, detectives, forensic experts and more.

Students attend the forum between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Columbia Basin College’s Gjerde Center, 2600 North 20th Ave. Pasco.

“This year’s focus on the ways that science and technology can help us in our quest for justice is particularly exciting,” said Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, in a message to students and volunteers. “Technology continues to intersect with the law in new and interesting ways, and we will need leaders to help inform its use to protect legal rights and increase access to justice for all.”

Supreme Court Justices Charles Johnson and Mary Yu, who serve as co-chairs of the Minority and Justice Commission, in a joint letter encouraged students to consider careers in the justice field. “We look to you as our future leaders and we sincerely hope that you will seize this opportunity to learn more about what we do and consider joining us in the future,” the letter said.

The Youth and Justice Forum was launched in 2003 by long-time Benton-Franklin Counties Superior Court Judge Dennis Yule (now retired), and is co-sponsored by the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, Educational Service District 123, and Columbia Basin College. For the first time, the Forum partnered with Battelle to help lead in this year’s theme of technology, science, and the law. Other sponsors include the Loren Miller Bar Association, the African American Community, Cultural & Educational Society (AACCES), Gonzaga University School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, University of Washington School of Law, QLaw – The LGBT Bar Association of Washington, Attorney Karen C. Koehmstedt, and Attorney William Covington.

The principal mission of the forum is to promote racial and ethnic diversity in the justice system workforce so that it reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. Speakers hope to inspire students both to think about their legal rights and obligations as members of their communities, and to consider careers in the justice system as one way of making a positive impact in society.

The Washington State Minority & Justice Commission was established by the state Supreme Court in 1990 to determine whether racial and ethnic bias exists in the courts of Washington and to take creative steps to overcome and prevent it. The Commission grew out of a task force established in 1988 at the urging of state legislators.

CONTACT: Cynthia Delostrinos, Court Program Analyst, Washington State Minority & Justice Commission, (360) 705-5290.