(Annapolis, MD — October 29, 2007) More than 120 teenagers from around the county have a date in Anne Arundel County District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 7, but they will appear with their teachers, not attorneys. Students from Broadneck, Severna Park, and South River high schools will get an up-close view of the state’s justice system in action during the biannual “Schools in the Court” program, 9 a.m.-noon on Nov. 7, where students will sit in on actual criminal cases in the courtroom of Judge Michael Wachs.

“We want these students to understand first-hand not only how the legal system works, but also how making wrong choices, such as drinking and driving, using drugs or other crimes, can deeply and adversely impact their lives,” Judge Wachs said. “This is a normal day in court. Students will see defendants – many times not much older than themselves – hear the charges and the facts, and learn the outcome, including watching people being handcuffed and led to jail. It’s real and it happens right in front of the students. It tends to get their attention.”

After watching criminal cases, students will hear from victims and people who have been convicted of drinking and driving. They will learn about the legal and financial consequences of being charged with drunk driving, and meet with a representative from Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center. They will also meet and ask questions of Chief Judge Ben C. Clyburn of the District Court of Maryland.

The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Board of Education will tape the speakers to air on Anne Arundel County Public Schools Television Channel 96 on both the Comcast and Millennium cable systems. Broadcast times will be posted at www.aacps.org.

(Editor’s Note: Schools in the Courts will be held from 9 a.m. to approximately noon on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Anne Arundel District Court, 251 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis. Members of the media are encouraged to attend. Please contact the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488 in advance if you want to attend or have questions about when and where cameras will be permitted.)