ARIZONA LAW WEEK EVENTS FOCUS ON YOUTH: Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education to Host a Spectrum of Events

April 30, 2007
Contact: Jeffrey Schrade (602)340-7268
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(Phoenix, AZ) – The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education is hosting several events next week to celebrate Law Day in Arizona. “The Law Day 2007 theme is ‘Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy’ highlighting important work our Arizona legal community does to strengthen the democratic process through educating our youth and increasing public understanding of the law,” said Program Director Jeff Schrade.

Youth At Risk Round Table Discussion
Monday, April 30, 2007, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
4201 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Under the leadership of Arizona Court of Appeals Jude Maurice Portley and Kahryn Nix, a diverse group of leaders representing the legal profession, the juvenile justice system, the education community, youth services and faith-based organizations will meet to discuss issues affecting local youth and community partnerships to address the legal needs of Arizona's youth-at-risk.

Arizona Teen Court Association (AZTCA) 1st Annual Youth Summit
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
South Mountain Community College Student Union

Students and teachers from Arizona’s 70 teen courts are gathering as part of a newly formed state teen court association to share training and experience and to celebrate the involvement of thousands of teen court volunteers in Arizona. Key note speakers will include Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Eileen Willett, and Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Maurice Portley.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 10:15 a.m. Students will showcase mock teen court proceedings

Arizona Supreme Court Law Day Essay Contest Luncheon
Wednesday, May 2, 2007 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1501 W. Washington St, Phoenix AZ, 85007

The Arizona Supreme Court will host a luncheon for winners of the Law Day Essay contest, with program partners the Maricopa Bar Association and the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. Students from Maricopa, Cochise and Pinal Counties will engage Supreme Court Justices Michael Ryan, Andrew Hurwitz, Scott Bales and Chief Justice Ruth McGregor in a dialogue about selecting state court judges so as to ensure impartiality and accountability and the Law Day theme.

Project Citizen State Showcase
Friday, May 4th, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Black Canyon Conference Center- 9440 N. 25th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Nearly 200 students will present their solutions to problems ranging from elder abuse to immigration during the State Project Citizen Showcase. Community leaders will listen to the students’ presentations and help them better understand the democratic process of change. The program teaches young people to monitor and influence public policy.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Students will present visual projects and give presentations to present their solutions.

About Law Day
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1st Law Day to strengthen our nation’s great heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year since, the American Bar Association, with help from local courts, bar associations and legal charities, has promoted events across the nation to celebrate Law Day. The 2007 theme of Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy prompts us to listen to the voices of young people and consider how the law can better serve their needs and interests. It also encourages us to assure that our youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively make their voices heard within our democracy.

About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education
The Foundation provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups working toward “access to justice for all Arizonans” through law-related education and free legal services and by promoting statewide collaborative efforts.

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