Entry in the contest is open to all Arizona students currently enrolled in grades 10 through 12. Essays are 250 to 1,000 words and will be judged by Arizona Attorneys, Judges and other members of Arizona's legal community. The deadline for submission is January 26, 2007.

To help start the conversation with students about the important role a fair and impartial justice system plays in our democracy, the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education provides lesson plans produced for the "Judges in the Classroom" program, along with selections from the We the People… the Citizen and the Constitution textbook. Teachers use these lessons to cover essential state social studies academic standards while guiding their students to submit their essay to the contest. In addition, web-links that students can use to research the topic in greater depth are available at LawForKids.org.

The Arizona Supreme Court recognizes winners from each county at an event in the Spring. Winners get a behind-the-scenes view of the Arizona Supreme Court and have an opportunity to ask Arizona Supreme Court Justices questions about the justice system. First Place winners receive a gift card worth $150 and plaques are presented to first, second, and third place winners.

Volunteer Opportunities

Attorneys reading and scoring essays and submitting the top 15 to Presiding judges in each county.

February - April
Presiding Judges reading and scoring the 15 essays and choosing the top three winners.