SUPERIOR COURT COMMEMORATES
150TH ANNIVERSARY
Public Educational Events
and Programs To Be Major Focus
To
mark the 150th anniversary of the Massachusetts Superior
Court in 2009, Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse today announced
that the Superior Court is planning a multifaceted, statewide
commemoration throughout the year with activities and programs
designed to raise the public's awareness of the work of
the judiciary.
"The
Superior Court's historic milestone is an opportunity to
reach out to young people and adults with educational events
to enhance their understanding of the judiciary," said
Chief Justice Rouse. "We also want the public to join us
in celebrating the many accomplishments of the court and
its contributions to the Commonwealth."
Judges,
clerks of court, attorneys, legislators, historians, and
educators from each county are involved in the planning
and execution of the diverse activities. Events include
educational programs with school children, forums on notable
cases in public venues such as libraries, and discussions
about the court on public access television. Static exhibits
on issues such as the jury system and separation of powers
will be installed in jury assembly rooms.
A
highlight of the yearlong programming will be a statewide
symposium that will explore the Superior Court's origin,
the impact of themes such as judicial independence in notable
cases, and future challenges facing the court. The panels
will be moderated by Professor Stephen Burbank of the University
of Pennsylvania Law School and National Public Radio host
Tom Ashbrook. The event, which is scheduled for September
at the Boston Public Library, will be open to the public.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will be the featured
speaker at an event following the panel discussion.
Other
notable educational activities around the state include
the following:
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People's Law
School - a six-week course on legal and judicial issues
of interest to the public to be held in Middlesex County.
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Sacco & Vanzetti trial
recreated at Norfolk Superior Court in the courtroom
where the actual trial occurred.
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Jack and the Beanstalk mock trial for
school children in Suffolk County.
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Vignettes depicting famous criminal
and civil cases tried in Barnstable Superior Court
to be performed by the Barnstable High School Drama
Club.
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Staging of mock hearings on criminal
and civil matters on Pittsfield cable television that
will be distributed on a CD-ROM for classroom discussion.
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High School Debate Series at ten high
schools throughout Hampden County. Finalists will debate
before a large public audience at Western New England
School of Law on Law Day in May.
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Symposia of notable cases in Bristol
County including the last public hanging in 1894, Big
Dan's trial, the Great Mill Fire, trial of Charles
Cuffee and the New Bedford Teachers' Strike.
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Open House at the Worcester Trial Court
with a reenactment of the trial of Bathsheba Spooner
and other activities.
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Supplement in Hampshire Gazette about
the history and work of the court including essays
by judges.
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Discussion with students at Newburyport
Superior Courthouse.
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Judges will hold discussions with high
school students at Brockton High School on mock suppression
hearing and other matters. |
A
detailed listing of the programs and activities in each
county will be announced as the dates for the events are
confirmed. Information will be posted and updated on the
court's website at www.mass.gov/courts.
The
Massachusetts Bar Foundation and judges of the Superior
Court have provided funding for the planned activities.
Technical assistance and support is being provided by
the Social Law Library and Supreme Judicial Court Historical
Society.
Established
in 1859, the Massachusetts Superior Court has 82 authorized
judges sitting in 14 counties of the state. It is one
of the oldest common law trial courts of general jurisdiction
in the country.
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