MASSACHUSETTS COURTS CELEBRATE NATIONAL LAW
DAY, MAY 1
Many
courts throughout the Commonwealth held special Law Day programs
to celebrate the rule of law, our judicial system and the
legal principles on which it is based. Established fifty
years ago by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Law Day commemorates
our heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law.
The American Bar Association Law Day theme this year was “The
Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and
Equity.”
Judges
and court staff, attorneys, legislators, executive branch
officials, law enforcement personnel, community representatives,
teachers, and students of all ages participated in Law Day
events held in courthouses and classrooms. Programs featured
essay and poster contest awards, motivational speeches by
celebrity guests, state and local proclamations, community
recognition awards, rule of law mini-lessons, and mock trials.
The
following photos showcase some of the Law Day celebrations
held in courthouses in Massachusetts.
West Roxbury Division
of the Boston Municipal Court
The
West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court’s
10th Annual Law Day event was held on Friday, April 18 at
the courthouse located at 445 Arborway in Jamaica Plain.
The theme for this year’s Law Day was “Celebrating
Our Freedom; Liberty And Justice For All”.
Guest
speaker Manny Delcarmen, Boston Red Sox pitcher for the 2008
World Series Champions, spoke to 150 children who participated
in the “Straight Ahead” program throughout the
school year. Developed by members of the Court’s Reinventing
Justice Project, the program is open to 5th and 6th grade
students in the City of Boston. It is designed to assist
young people in moving “Straight Ahead” through
life and teaches them how to respond to peer pressure and
anger management. Students were invited to participate in
an essay and poster contest incorporating the Law Day theme.
Prizes were awarded to the top three entrants for each school
in each category.
The
Diane Halperin Memorial Award was presented in memory of
a great friend of the Court and the community, the late Diane
Halperin. Diane’s legacy includes the design, development
and siting of the first Drug Diversion Court, start-up of
the Health Boston initiative, and her leadership of the West
Roxbury Court’s Reinventing Justice Project. This award
was given to an individual whose civic and volunteer contributions
mirror Diane’s many initiatives and personal qualities.
Outside
demonstrations were given by The Boston Police Mounted Unit,
the K-9 Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery
Unit, the Park Rangers, Boston EMS, Suffolk County Sheriff’s
Department and the Boston Fire Department “Safety House.”
See
photos from West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal
Court
Lynn Juvenile Court
The
Lynn Juvenile Court held its annual Law Day ceremonies on
Thursday, May 1. The theme was “The Rule of Law: Foundation
for Communities of Opportunity and Equity,”which refers
to a legal system based upon fair, publicized, broadly understood
and stable laws, and diverse, competent and independent lawyers
and judges.
Mayor
Edward “Chip” Clancy, Jr. opened the ceremonies
by signing a Law Day proclamation declaring May 1, 2008 as
Law Day in the City of Lynn. Associate Justice Michael F.
Edgerton welcomed the audience, which included students from
Lynn English and St. Mary’s High Schools. Many of the
students had submitted essays to the court presenting their
position on proposed legislation restricting the use of cellular
telephones by adults and juveniles while driving a motor
vehicle. The First Place Essay Award was presented by Associate
Justice Amy Nechtem to Whitney Sutherland from Lynn English
High School.
Justice
Edgerton presented the Lynn Juvenile Court Law Day Award
to Attorneys Linda F. Azzarito and Linda M. Fowler, Assistant
Regional Counsels, Department of Social Services, in recognition
of their diligent and tireless commitment to the protection
of children.
Justice
Edgerton said, "The competent and professional advocacy of
Attorneys Azzarito and Fowler on behalf of children epitomizes
the spirit and tradition of Law Day. Their dedication to
ensuring that the Commonwealth's most vulnerable citizens
are protected from abuse and neglect has made a tremendous
difference in a great many young lives."
See photos from Lynn Juvenile Court
John Adams Courthouse
A
special Law Day program was held on May 1 in the John Adams
Courthouse in Boston for more than 100 students in grades
6-8 from schools in Boston, Brookline and Marblehead. Students
and teachers from each of the schools met with Supreme Judicial
Court Justice Robert J. Cordy, a costumed John Adams, (also
known as Cliff Allen, the SJC's and Appeals Court's Reporter
of Decisions), several attorneys who are former SJC Law Clerks,
and Nancy Kurtz, a volunteer docent from Discovering Justice,
who spoke about the case of Sacco and Venzetti in the special
exhibit room.
Each
of the fours school groups learned about an aspect of the
Rule of Law, the program's theme, from the presenters who
were in different locations in the courthouse. The students
circulated from the Seven-Justice Courtroom to the Oliver
Wendell Holmes Courtroom to the Great Hall escorted by Discovering
Justice docents. The attorneys divided the classes into small
groups and engaged the students in a rule of law exercise
to demonstrate how laws can be interpreted. John Adams gave
a history lesson on his life and influence as President,
lawyer, patriot, and author of the Massachusetts Constitution.
Some of the classes went to the State House following the
Law Day program to learn about the other branches of government.
See
photos from John Adams Courthouse
Norfolk Superior Court
The
Bar Association of Norfolk County presented its annual Law
Day program at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on May 1.
The theme was “The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities
of Opportunity and Equity.” Following the reading of
the Law Day Proclamation by Norfolk County Sheriff Michael
Bellotti, Superior Court Judge Janet L. Sanders welcomed
the guests. Retired Norfolk Probate and Family Court First
Justice David H. Kopelman was the keynote speaker. The Amicus
Curiae Award was presented to Brookline District Court First
Assistant Clerk-Magistrate Rosemarie V. Connors for exceptional
service to the court. Attorney John P. Gibbons of Dedham
received the Pro Bono Award for providing free legal representation
and advice to community residents in need.
See photo from Norfolk Superior Court
Stoughton District Court
Judges and staff of Stoughton District Court, lawyers, community leaders, and members of the public celebrated Law Day on May 1. Highlights of the event included a key note address by Norfolk County District Attorney William R. Keating. The Amicus Curaie Award was presented to Linda Boyle of the District Attorney’s office. Students from Avon, Canton, Sharon and Stoughton, the four towns within the Court’s jurisdiction, gave Law Day speeches.
See photo from Stoughton District Court
More Law Day photos from other courts to follow
