Office of Communications and Public Affairs
2011-D Commerce Park Drive
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-1488

Media Advisory:

Judiciary Helps Bring Civics to Howard County High School Students

(COLUMBIA, Md. – Nov. 5, 2013) On Friday, Nov. 8, judges from Maryland’s courts will join in an effort to help area students learn about law and society. During the Civics and Law Academy that day, Howard County high school students will meet face-to-face with judges and other legal professionals to discuss a variety of topics, including juvenile rights, criminal law, free speech, and the law in the technology age.

The Nov. 8 session of the Civics and Law Academy will be held at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia and will include approximately 100 students from Wilde Lake, Hammond, Atholton, and Reservoir high schools.

“You can’t hope to function in our society, which is based on the rule of law, if you don’t learn civics,” said Howard County District Judge Pamila J. Brown. Judge Brown heads the Judiciary committee that hosts the program in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association, the Citizenship and Law-Related Education Program and the American Bar Association. The Howard County Bar Association and Howard County Public Schools are partners in the Nov. 8 program.

“Students are active members of our society and therefore need to have an understanding of law and legal issues,” Judge Brown said. “The Academy provides a chance for young people to take part in an intensive program to start to gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to participate fully and effectively in our pluralistic, democratic society.”

The Civics and Law Academy is designed to help high school students gain a better understanding of the law, which helps them develop civic competency. Academy sessions are held during the school year at various locations in Maryland.

# # #