Newsroom

Judicial Outreach Focuses on Terrorism Cases

More than 420 international and U.S. high school students had a chance recently to grapple with the issues of liberties and safety that federal judges must balance in terrorism cases.

The students assumed the roles of judges, lawyers and the news media at three events at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C. The events included a mock trial competition on July 4.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth presided over the programs, developed and coordinated by the Office of Public Affairs of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Many of the students' evaluations cited their interaction with Judge Lamberth as the highlight to their week-long stay in the nation's capital. One student wrote: "It was surprising to have someone as busy and respected as the judge listen to what mere high school students had to say."

The students were participants in the People to People program started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.