(Annapolis, Md. – Nov. 21, 2008) Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals will host the 14th annual Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) and Department of Education Oratorical Contest on Monday, Nov. 24, 1-3 p.m., in the Maryland Court of Appeals, 361 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis. Youth from 11 different DJS facilities, including detention centers, committed programs and a day-reporting center, will deliver speeches they have composed. The theme of this year’s contest is a quote from writer Aldous Huxley: “Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you."

Members of the media are invited to attend. Please contact the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488 for more information.

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 address, or his/her 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: 410-230-3348.