PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT:                                                                               

Jennifer Donahue/Erika Gully-Santiago
(617) 557-1114  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 30, 2018

Law Day Celebrations Planned in Courthouses Across the Commonwealth  

In recognition of Law Day 2018, students across the Commonwealth will participate in educational activities about the Rule of Law and the judicial branch of government. Students will have an opportunity to interact with judges, lawyers, law clerks and other court officials.

The theme of this year's Law Day is Separation of Powers and the balance of power within our government. As a fundamental principle to the Constitution and the functionality of government, separation of powers provides a framework for freedom, preserving American liberty and advancing the rights of citizens. This year's theme will enable students to take a look at checks and balances within government, as well as their own roles in government as citizens.

Law Day was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 as a day to recognize the principles of government under the law, and the nation’s heritage of liberty and justice.                   

The following will have activities on Tuesday, May 1st:

• Plymouth District Court, 52 Obery St., 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Plymouth Bar Association, this is the court's tenth annual Law Day. Events will include a mock trial, courthouse tour and displays of legal heritage. For the first time, the celebration will include a field trip to the 1820 Courthouse, Plymouth’s new Town Hall, where First Justice James M. Sullivan will hold several trial proceedings. This year’s Law Day events will culminate with an evening banquet featuring guest speaker Attorney Leonard Kesten.
  
  
•  Barnstable District Court, 3180 Main Street, 9:00 a.m. First Justice Kathryn E. Hand and Superior Court Judge Robert C. Rufo, together with the Barnstable Bar Association, will host the court's Law Day celebration.

• Springfield District Court, 50 State Street, 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Hampden County Bar Association, the Master of Ceremonies will be First Justice Barbara M. Hyland of the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. The Honorable John M. Greaney Award will be presented to First Justice William J. Boyle of the Springfield District Court and retired Chief Court Officer Kenneth M. O'Connor Jr. The mock trial team from the Pioneer Valley School of Performing Arts will also participate in the day's events. 

• Lawrence District Court, 2 Appleton Street, 10:30 a.m. First Justice Lynn C. Rooney, together with the Lawrence Bar Association (LBA), will conduct Law Day activities in Courtroom Four of the Lawrence District Court. 

• Salem District Court, 56 Federal Street, 8:30 a.m. First Justice Robert A. Brennan together with the Salem Bar Association will host the court's Law Day activities. Those in attendance will include: Supreme Judicial Court Justice David A. Lowy; 7th Essex District State Representative Paul Tucker; and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. 

• Bristol County Juvenile Court - New Bedford, 75 N. Sixth Street, 12:30 p.m. Plymouth Juvenile Court Judge Siobhan E. Foley will be hosting the court's 3rd annual Law Day activities. The Master of Ceremonies will be Bristol County Juvenile Court Clerk Magistrate Roger Oliveira.  Those in attendance will include: First Justice John S. Spinale; Bristol County Juvenile Court Judge James P. Harrington; Bristol County Juvenile Court Judge Tracie L. Souza; Chief Probation Officer Kevin Martin; Assistant Chief Probation Officer Kathryn Silva; and New Bedford Public School Liaison John Tweedie. The day will end with the presentation of the Child Advocacy Award to Assistant District Attorney Amelia Wilson, as well as the essay and art contest awards. 

The following will have activities on Thursday, May 3rd: 

• Quincy District Court, One Dennis Ryan Parkway, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Attorney General Maura Healy will deliver the keynote Law Day address. District Court Chief Justice Paul C. Dawley and Quincy District Court First Justice Mark S. Coven will preside over the Law Day activities. The Charbonnier Award will be presented and Judge Mary Hogan Sullivan and Judge Mary E. Heffernan will both be honored. Quincy District Court Judge Diane E. Moriarty will also attend. 

• Lynn Juvenile Court, 139 Central Ave, 8:45 a.m. Students from Lynn English High, St. Mary's High, and Fecteau-Leary School will start the day taking a tour of Lynn Juvenile Court. Clerk Magistrate Judith Brennan will welcome the students followed by former Juvenile Court Chief Justice Michael F. Edgerton who will speak on this year's Law Day theme. Those in attendance will include: Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey; Juvenile Court Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem; Juvenile Court Judge Garrett J. McManus; and Assistant Chief Probation Officer Jay Fraher. The day ends with a presentation of certificates, the art award and readings of first place essays, as well as presentation of the Attorney Lynne M. O'Connell Law Day Award. 

• Boston Municipal Court - East Boston, 37 Meridian Street, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The Law Day Awards Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. with awarded prizes provided by the Friends of the East Boston Court. A special achievement award will be presented to Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley. Additionally, the Judge Ferrino Community Service Award will be presented to someone within the court community who has given above and beyond in service to the community.  Those in attendance will include: Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Roberto Ronquillo Jr.; retired Judge Paul Mahoney; and Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Lydia Edwards. 

The following will have activities on Friday, May 4th: 

• John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square, Boston, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Approximately 90 students from New Mission High School, Another Course to College, and Children Services of Roxbury will watch a performance of Theatre Espresso's play Justice at War: The Story of the Japanese Internment, followed by discussions with Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants and Supreme Judicial Court Justice Kimberly S. Budd. The SJC Law Clerk Society will lead discussions in the Holmes Courtroom, followed by tours of the John Adams Courthouse exhibit rooms and Great Hall. 

• Boston Municipal Court - Brighton, 52 Academy Hill Road, 10:30 a.m. Essay and poster contest, special scholarship and awards presentation. Outdoor BBQ with teachers and students from Brighton/Boston Public Schools. 

• Middlesex County Juvenile Court at the Lowell District Court, 41 Hurd Street, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Lowell Bar Association, in conjunction with the Lowell Juvenile Court, will conduct Law Day activities at the Lowell District Court. 

The following will have activities on Friday, May 25th: 

• Fall River District Court, 186 South Main Street, 10:00 a.m. The Fall River Bar Association, in conjunction with the Fall River District Court, will conduct Law Day activities at the Fall River Justice Center. 

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