Judicial Youth Corps

JUDICIAL YOUTH CORPS STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT ROLE OF COURTS

          Twenty-five Boston Public High School students were selected to participate in the 2009 Supreme Judicial Court’s Judicial Youth Corps program, which began on May 14 and extends through August 14. Now in its 19th year, the court education program teaches young people about the rule of law and the role of the judicial branch through interaction with judges, lawyers, and court staff who volunteer their time. Students learn about criminal and civil law and the work of the courts in weekly educational sessions and in summer internships in courts throughout Suffolk County. Field trips to police stations, jails, and law firms are also part of the comprehensive educational program. The student internships are funded by the Boston Private Industry Council and the City of Boston Summer Employment program.

          The Worcester Judicial Youth Corps program, now in its third consecutive year, has twenty students participating this year from the Worcester Public Schools. Students were selected based on teacher recommendations and personal interviews. Following a 7-week orientation program in May and June, the students will work in clerks and probation offices in the Worcester Trial Court from July 6 through August 21. The Worcester Judicial Youth Corps program is co-sponsored with the Massachusetts Bar Association and is funded by the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.

Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall and Justice Roderick L. Ireland with 2009 Boston Judicial Youth Corps students.

Justice Ireland addresses the Boston students on May 14 as they begin their first educational session.

Judicial Youth Corps Instructor Jerry Howland presents an overview of the court system to the students.

Justice Ireland administers the Judicial Youth Corps oath, which promotes a path to success.

Judicial Youth Corps students listen to a compelling presentation of the events surrounding Commonwealth vs. Leaster, a famous 1970s wrongful conviction case involving first degree murder.

Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Muse, Bobby Joe Leaster, and prominent Boston attorney Robert F. Muse, Judge Muse's father, were given Judicial Youth Corps T-shirts by the students and were made honorary JYC members, following their powerful presentation on June 25. Standing with them is Jerry Howland, the Judicial Youth Corps instructor. The Muse father and son defense team spent many years working to free Bobby Joe Leaster, an innocent man, from prison. Bobby Joe Leaster now enjoys a successful career working with young people at risk in the City of Boston Street Workers program.

The 2009 Worcester Judicial Youth Corps students pose in the Worcester Trial Court where they will be working as summer interns. Teacher and Attorney James Rosseel is standing in back row (center).

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