Media Advisory:
District Court in Anne Arundel County offers Schools in the Court program for high school students

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a unique court educational program, students will learn about the benefits and consequences of familiar decisions. The program includes a mock traffic stop where students will see in real-time the legal implications of bad decisions. This interactive program allows the students to meet and interact with key players in the legal process from police officers, K-9 officers, commissioners, assistant public defenders, assistant state’s attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and judges. In addition, students will hear from people who have been involved with the legal system due to drunk driving, speeding, texting while driving, and other offenses, as they view actual court cases and have an opportunity to engage judges and court personnel in a question-and-answer session regarding the Judiciary.

The program also includes a mental health component targeted to address the impact of this crisis on youth. This portion of the program, conducted along with mental health professionals, is treatment focused and designed to raise awareness of mental health issues. This segment of the program educates students to recognize the signs that someone is in crisis, both for themselves and each other. It will also highlight resources available to the students and provide ways to immediately connect with those resources.

Please contact the Maryland Judiciary, Government Relations and Public Affairs Division, at [email protected], to attend or for questions. Cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the program but not during the student-observed docket portion. Paid parking is available in the District Court public parking lot, which is behind the courthouse along Taylor Ave.