Just L.A.W
Written by luma on June 9, 2023
L.A.W. stands for Literacy,
Attendance and Writing. This
component of the program was
initiated by Mr. Andre Langston,
Owner and General Manager of radio
station WDKX, and uses these three
concepts to help improve student
understanding of the court system.
The goal is for participating youth
to develop research and analysis
skills, gain a better understanding of
the power of the written word and
acquire a deeper appreciation for the
value of education. School attendance
will also be stressed.
J.U.S.T. L.A.W. is a collaborative effort to help students in grades 6 – 9 in the
Rochester City School District better understand the law and our country’s legal system.
The program explores
the following topics:
The concept of legal literacy
The importance of school
attendance
The value of developing strong
writing skills
The significance of the written word
in the court system
Ways to express concerns,
questions, desires and expectations
relating to the court system
An overview of the U.S.
Judicial System
Career opportunities within
the courts
J.U.S.T. stands for Justice,
Understanding, and Societal
Trust, and is a community outreach
program initiated by Supreme
Court Justice Craig Doran, the
administrative judge in the 7th
Judicial District.
Judges will visit participating schools
in the RCSD, where they will explain
how the justice system works, as well
as the role it plays in the Rochester
community. Students will then have
an opportunity to share their own
perspectives on – – and experiences
with – – the justice system.
L.A.W. stands for Literacy,
Attendance and Writing. This
component of the program was
initiated by Mr. Andre Langston,
Owner and General Manager of radio
station WDKX, and uses these three
concepts to help improve student
understanding of the court system.
The goal is for participating youth
to develop research and analysis
skills, gain a better understanding of
the power of the written word and
acquire a deeper appreciation for the
value of education. School attendance
will also be stressed.
How the Contest Works:
Virtual visits are arranged
and judges/attorneys make
presentations to the students.
After the presentation, students
in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grades
will be asked to write a 250 word
essay on the topic, “What Justice
means to me…”
Attendance is an important
component of the program. J.U.S.T.
LAW requires a 90% average
attendance rate for participants.
This may be waived at the request
of school administrators and/or if
special circumstances exist.
Prizes for the winners may include a
tablet, gift cards, cash, certificates
and more.
Essay winners will have an
opportunity to take part in
three special events:
1) A possible tour of the Hall of
Justice to meet judges, clerks and
deputies, attorneys and visit the
Law Library;
2) A special “Meet and Greet” for
students and parents where they
will be matched with their RBBA
mentors; and
3) A special virtual awards ceremony
in May or June where they will be
recognized and have an opportunity
to present their essays in front of a
panel of judges and court staff, as
well as parents, teachers, school
personnel, local law enforcement
and members of the media.
How can schools help?
Each school is unique. It is helpful
if principals and staff take the lead
and advise J.U.S.T. LAW program
coordinators how their school’s visit
should be structured (for example,
the number of students that should
attend and the best location to hold
the event). Schools should complete
the information sheet as soon as
possible, but no later than January
15, 2021. Included should be two
potential dates for the visit and the
name of a contact person.
Parental consent forms, as well
as media release forms, must
be obtained from all student
participants. Teachers can be very
helpful in supporting efforts to
obtain the necessary paperwork, so
that all youth who want to take part
in the program will be allowed to
do so.
At the end of the program, you
will be provided with an evaluation
form. Please be sure to complete
this form and give us your honest
feedback. We want this to be a
positive and effective experience
for students and teachers.
If you are interested in having
your school participate, contact
Liliana Ruiz at (585) 428-6588 or
email: Liliana.Ruiz@cityofrochester.
gov. Please send us the name and
email address of a school contact
person to receive program updates
and schedule visits.
Collaborating partners include the
City of Rochester, 103.9 FM WDKX,
the Rochester Black Bar Association,
the Rochester City School District
and the 7th Judicial District.
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