Media Advisory:
  Maryland Judiciary Hosts Youths from DJS Facilities for Essay Contest

(ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Nov. 12, 2014) On Wednesday, Nov. 19, young people from juvenile facilities throughout the state will address the Maryland Court of Appeals. The courtroom will be filled with families, supporters, and state officials as the young contestants deliver speeches they have prepared for the 20th annual Department of Juvenile Services Oratorical Contest.

The Court of Appeals is hosting the event, which is sponsored by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) and Maryland State Department of Education. Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene Jr. will preside. The media is invited to attend. Highlights from last year’s events can be seen in this two-minute video of the DJS Oratorical Contest.

The finalists at this event have won oratorical competitions held in Maryland’s DJS facilities. For this year’s contest, the three- to five-minute essays are based on the poem, “Myself,” by Edgar Albert Guest.

Part of the poem states: “I have to live with myself and so, I want to be fit for myself to know. … I never can hide myself from me; I see what others may never see; I know what others may never know, I never can fool myself and so, whatever happens I want to be self-respecting and conscience free.”

“This is a wonderful chance for these young people, who have gotten to know the justice system in unfortunate and unenviable ways, to interact with the courts in a positive way and have their voices heard at the highest level,” Judge Greene said.

The media is invited to attend. Please contact the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488, for more information. See the notice from the DJS below regarding privacy.

(Highlights from last year’s event – two-minute video)

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Maryland Court of Appeals, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401

WHO:
Maryland Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene Jr. hosting students from Maryland’s DJS facilities
           
MEDIA CONTACT:
Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488. The media is invited to attend. Please read the following notice from DJS regarding privacy and confidentiality.

_______________________________

A Notice from the Department of Juvenile Services:
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY:
Maryland law and policies require that the Department of Juvenile Services maintain the privacy and confidentiality of those youth referred to the Department, including those committed to their care and subsequently placed at private facilities. This requirement cannot be waived by the Department without an explicit order from the courts or a written, signed consent of a youth and the youth’s parents.

Without waivers or consents, the media is requested to observe the following restrictions with regard to any youth:

Youths may be interviewed but may not be identified by either:
            1) Identifiable descriptions of the youth, his/her name, address, or offense; or
            2) Photographing or filming which might reveal the identity of the youth.

For clarification of these requirements, please contact the DJS Public Information Officer at 410-230-3164.

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