Maryland judges, attorneys, and other justice officials engaged with students to explore law and society during the Civics and Law Academy held in Montgomery County on November 29. The event featured Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera as the plenary speaker and included approximately 60 students.
The two-hour session allowed students from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring to interact with judges and legal professionals. Discussions covered topics such as juvenile rights, criminal law, free speech, and the role of law in the technology age.
Chief Judge Barbera emphasized the importance of educating future leaders about the legal system: “We have an obligation to our students, who are tomorrow’s leaders, to provide a meaningful understanding of our legal system and the role it plays in our democracy,” she said. She added that their goal is "to inspire students to learn and to help them grow into informed young adults."
The Civics and Law Academy aims to enhance high school students' understanding of U.S. government operations and individual roles within a democracy. Sessions occur throughout Maryland during the school year.
Howard County District Judge Pamila J. Brown, Chair of the Civics and Law Academy for the Maryland Judiciary, noted that discussions were lively: “Tying in the legal and law-related issues that students deal with on a daily basis sparked lively discussions, which led to great questions and interesting insights.”
The academy is a collaboration between several organizations including the Maryland Judiciary, Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), Citizenship and Law-Related Education Program (CLREP). The Montgomery County event was co-sponsored by both Montgomery County Bar Association and Montgomery County Public Schools.