Most of the time when you think of going to court it is in a negative situation, but for seventh-grade social studies students at Hill Middle School, their view may have changed on Dec. 6.
The students were able to ask questions to judges and attorneys from the Dallas Bar Association in a kickoff program to teach students about the Texas court system. The program is called The Taming Texas Judicial Civics and History Project. It is sponsored by the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society in cooperation with the State Bar of Texas Law-Related Education Department.
The association’s goal is to introduce the Texas judicial system to students in a positive light and allow them to talk one-on-one with individuals who play key roles in the court system.
“We want to let them see folks who they don’t normally come around,” said attorney Dylan Drummond.
Every period on Friday students were able to hear from two different speakers. There were six justices and judges, and eight attorneys who came to speak to the students. They volunteered their time to try to make a difference.
“I appreciate them coming here because I learned about different types of courts,” said seventh-grader Brianna Rodriguez.
This program was started by the Houston Bar Association. They have already made presentations to 10,000 students in the Houston area. The association here wants to spread this program across the city.
“The program was a great opportunity for a future that would be available for them,” said seventh-grade Hill Middle School social studies teacher Jennifer Saucier.
The speakers focused on the different courts of Texas, from the municipal courts all the way to the Texas Supreme Court.
“It was interesting to hear from people other than my teacher about government,” said seventh-grader Liliana Campos.
Some of the speakers who attended the program included Dallas court of appeals Justice Cory L. Carlyle, Dallas County JP 4-1 Justice of the Peace Michael Jones, Jr., attorney Dylan Drummond, attorney Trenton Patterson, attorney Jimmy Hopper, attorney Graham Carney, attorney Ben Mesches, attorney Chris Knight, Dallas court of appeals Justice Lana Myers, former Dallas Court of Appeals Justice Jason Boatright, Dallas court of appeals Justice Erin Nowell, and Dallas County Criminal Court No. 3 Judge Audrey Moorehead.
