PROBATION DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH
CELEBRATE LAW DAY 2006

The 2006 Law Day ceremonies at the Charlestown Division of the Boston Municipal Court, whose place in history as the nation’s first court is heralded during the annual gala, and the Somerville District Court, which hosts one of the oldest Law Day observances in the state, are among the celebrations taking place throughout the month.

Also celebrating Law Day are the Probation Departments of the Gloucester District Court; Salem Session of the Essex Juvenile Court; Norfolk Juvenile Court; Northampton District Court; Stoughton District Court; and the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court.

The East Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court kicked off the statewide celebrations early with an observance on April 28th. East Boston’s celebration, the court’s 29th annual, featured a presentation to elementary school students about the dangers of drug use, according to East Boston Chief Probation Officer David Arinella. Poster and oratory contests for middle and high school students were among the festivities. BMC’s West Roxbury division also celebrated Law Day on April 28th. Celebration highlights included a talk by former New England Patriots Defensive Lineman Garin Veris.

“Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers” is this year’s national theme set by the American Bar Association (ABA). The theme serves as a guide to help educate citizens about the separate branches and powers of the court system while underscoring how each branch works together for the “common good” of all. Law Day is an annual celebration of the legal system and was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 to recognize “the country’s great heritage of liberty, justice and equality,” according to the ABA.

A procession by a Color Guard and Fife and Drum Corp as well as a skit performed by actors dressed as historical figures Governor John Winthrop were highlights of the Law Day Celebration of the historic Charlestown court (BMC-Charlestown). In addition, the winners of the Poster Contest for local children in grades five through seven were announced. Charlestown Chief Probation Officer Barbara Burke is a key organizer of this annual event.

A Law Day Celebration, titled “Daley & Halligan: Teaching Tolerance-Lessons from the Past,” was held at the Old Hampshire Courthouse on Monday. The day’s festivities featured a speech about tolerance by Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Charles Johnson. Hampshire Court’s theme was based on an 1806 trial during which two Irish immigrants, Dominic Daley and James Halligan, were accused of murdering a young man and executed despite the fact there was no evidence, according to a historical account provided by Hampshire County and Probate & Family Chief Probation Officer William O’Riordan, one of the organizers of the Law Day observance. 

Gloucester District Court’s third annual celebration -- hosted by the Gloucester District Court Probation Department and the Gloucester Bar Association — marked the Law Day observance with a rededication of a portrait of Honorable Justice H. Lawrence Jodrey, who passed away recently. Attorney Charles Ayers remembered Judge Jodrey and his contributions to the court in remarks to the audience. Gloucester District Court Chief Probation Officer John Graham was also honored at the ceremony with a special award for his “leadership” in the community.

Stoughton District Court marked its 4th annual Law Day celebration with performances by the Stoughton High School Singers and a speech by a Sharon High School Student Jeffrey Krafchick, according to Acting Chief Probation Officer Dennis Maietta. Maietta also said First Justice Francis T. Crimmins Jr. addressed the audience and the featured keynote speaker was retired First Justice Baron H. Martin.

Somerville District Court celebrates its 26th Annual Law Day today, Wednesday, May 3rd, with First Justice Maurice Flynn presiding over the festivities, Somerville District Court Chief Probation Officer Richard J. Antonelli said. Eighth grade students from the Winter Hill Community School and the McGlynn Elementary School in Medford will present essays they have written on this year’s Law Day theme. Dignitaries scheduled to attend are Medford Mayor Michael J. McGlynn, Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola. Also scheduled to attend are State Senator Jarrett Barrios and State Representatives Carl Sciortino (Somerville/Medford), Paul Donato (Medford/Malden), and Eugene O’Flaherty (Somerville/Charlestown).

Norfolk Juvenile Court will celebrate Law Day on Thursday, May 4th. Probation Officer Janet Morgan, who died last year, will be honored posthumously for her work and dedication to the field. Norfolk County Juvenile Chief Probation Officer Thomas Mitchell will present a plaque to Morgan’s family. The day will also feature performances by the Dedham High School Band and a presentation by essay contest winners.

The Salem Session of the Essex County Juvenile Court will celebrate Law Day on Wednesday, May 10th, with a visit from River Valley Charter School students in grades four to six. The children will meet with Probation Offficers and Presiding Justice Sally Padden to learn about the court system and how it operates, according to Essex County Juvenile Probation Officer Daniel J. Passacantilli.