MASSACHUSETTS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN
ABOUT ROLE OF THE COURTS ON STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY

          Sixteen high school students from schools across the Commonwealth took part in mock oral arguments and other educational activities at the Supreme Judicial Court on Student Government Day on April 3. Justice Ralph D. Gants led the students in an exercise concerning First Amendment issues involving derogatory comments about teachers posted by students on a hypothetical website.

          Designated as "Justices" or "Clerks" for the day, students sat on the bench in the SJC courtroom and were taught about the role of the appellate and trial courts in a constitutional democracy. SJC Clerk for the Commonwealth Susan Mellen and SJC Clerk for Suffolk County Maura Doyle explained the functions of their offices and several current SJC law clerks answered many thoughtful questions posed by the students.

           The group also toured the John Adams Courthouse with a volunteer docent from Discovering Justice, a non-profit court and civic education organization.

           Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Student Government Day teaches young people about the duties and responsibilities of the three branches of government. Student Government Day at the Supreme Judicial Court is one of the hundreds of law related events that take place each year in the John Adams Courthouse. In 2008, close to 9,800 visitors participated in tours, activities, and events held in the John Adams Courthouse.

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