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On July 9-13, 2018, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in partnership with the Eastern District of New York Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA), the Federal Litigation Section of the FBA, and the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, hosted the Third Annual Eastern District of New York Justice Institute at the Alfonse D’Amato United States Courthouse in Central Islip, New York.

One hundred students from high schools in Nassau and Suffolk County attended this year’s Justice Institute. The Institute is a week-long, civics education program developed in 2016 as part of the Courts of the Second Circuit’s Civic Education Initiative, Justice For All: Courts and the Community.

The program, created by Judge Joseph Bianco of the Eastern District of New York, is designed to introduce incoming tenth-graders to the workings of the federal courts and the criminal justice system, and to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry. The Justice Institute, the first of its kind, allows students to learn about the legal system and develop basic advocacy skills in a courthouse setting.

This year, students heard presentations from five federal judges, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini, FBI agents, a U.S. Secret Service Agent, an ATF Special Agent, Deputy U.S. Marshals, federal prosecutors, and criminal defense lawyers about their respective roles within the federal court system. Students also had the unique opportunity to observe federal court proceedings, including a Naturalization Ceremony, and were able to discuss what they observed with a federal judge. Finally, students learned basic advocacy skills during several sessions from experienced lawyers and law students from Touro Law Center coached the tenth-graders during a mock trial competition at the end of the week.

The program culminated with an awards luncheon on Friday, July 13, 2018, attended by students and their families. The keynote speaker during the luncheon was Mitsue Salador. Ms. Salador shared her experience as a Japanese-American interned by the government during World War II.

High school students participate in Round One of the Justice Institute’s Mock Trial Competition.

Eastern District of New York Judge Joseph Bianco addresses students and parents at the Justice Institute.

Keynote Speaker Ms. Mitsue Salador shares her experience as a survivor of a World War II Japanese Internment Camp to students and parents.

Eastern District of New York Judge Joseph Bianco presents an award to Ms. Mitsue Salador on behalf of the Justice Institute.

High school students participate in the Championship Round of the Justice Institute’s Mock Trial Competition.