Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Second annual Youth & Justice Forum asks Yakima students to consider legal careers

"We want them to dream big."  -- Justice Mary Yu

YAKIMA — Dozens of middle and high school students from throughout the Yakima area are expected to attend the second annual Youth & Justice Forum on October  6 at Heritage University to learn about different careers in law and justice, and how more diversity can improve the system.

The forum is free to students in grades 8 through 12 who will hear a keynote talk by Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, argue fictitious cases with attorneys and judges, meet local leaders in the justice system, and much more. The primary goals of the forum include educating middle and high school students from under-represented communities about careers and employment opportunities in the legal system; enhancing students' knowledge of legal education; helping build trust between students and those in the justice system.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission along with the University of Washington School of Law, the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, the Law School Admission Council, Safe Yakima Valley, and the law firm of Stokes, Lawrence, Velikanje, Moore & Shore.

Students will attend the forum between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Heritage University’s Toppenish campus to hear from a variety of justice system professionals such as judges, law enforcement officers, attorneys, court interpreters, probation officers, forensic scientists, corrections officers and more.

“The Forum gives us an important opportunity to let young people know how important they are,” said Justice Yu, co-chair of the Minority and Justice Commission. “In answering their questions about the criminal justice system and providing insight into our work, we hopefully restore confidence in what we do and inspire them to join our profession someday. We want them to dream big.”

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, to pinpoint the areas impacted by bias, 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. More information on the Commission can be found at http://www.courts.wa.gov/?fa=home.sub&org=mjc&layout=2 .

CONTACT: Cynthia Delostrinos, Administrative Manager for Supreme Court Commissions, (360) 705-5290, Cynthia.Delostrinos@courts.wa.gov.