NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Earlier this week, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio held its first-ever Teachers’ Institute civics education program in the Dayton seat of court. Teachers from throughout the Dayton community spent two days learning about criminal cases (on Day 1) and civil cases (on Day 2).  

In addition to hearing from multiple federal judges and participating in a mock trial with the assistance of law firm counsel, the teachers heard from representatives of the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Pretrial Services and Probation. United States Marshall Michael Black and Federal Public Defender Joe Medici also spoke to the teachers.  

The Dayton judges are grateful to our Chief Judge, the Hon. Algenon Marbley, who fully and enthusiastically supported this effort. The judges also thank Rebecca Fanning from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for her assistance in planning this civics event.

Next month, the Dayton judges will host the two-day Dayton Students’ Justice Institute, a civics education seminar for high school students - the first of its kind in the Dayton federal courthouse. 

The Dayton judges plan to hold both the Teachers‘ Institute and the Students’ Justice Institute every summer going forward.

Photo: Standing with Dayton teachers are (left to right) United States Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry, United States District Judge Michael Newman, and United States Magistrate Judge Peter Silvain. 

On June 26, 2024, Judge Michael Newman and Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry met with law student externs - from the U.S. District Court and from Legal Aid of Western Ohio - as part of the Southern District of Ohio’s continuing civics education outreach efforts.

On July 8 and 9, 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio held, in the Dayton seat of court, its first-ever civics court camp for high school students - what the court calls the “Dayton Student Justice Institute.”

More than 40 high school students from throughout the Dayton region heard from United States District Judges and United States Magistrate Judges; career and term federal law clerks; Richard Nagel, the Clerk of Court; Joseph Medici, the Federal Public Defender; Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Assistant Federal Public Defenders; and representatives from U.S. Pretrial Services and U.S. Probation.

Day 1 of the Justice Institute was focused on criminal law including sentencing; Day 2 was focused on civil law including immigration. On Day 2, the high school students heard from University of Dayton School of Law (“UDSL”) professor Ericka Curran, who explained immigration law, and a representative from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. UDSL Associate Dean Chris Roederer also explained the First Amendment to the high school students.

The students witnessed a naturalization ceremony for 10 new citizens on Day 2 and concluded the Justice Institute with a moot court on a First Amendment school law issue.

The Court is grateful to Magistrate Judge Peter Silvain for planning the Justice Institute along with United States District Judge Michael Newman and United States Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry.

Dayton-area high school students participating in the Dayton Federal Court’s inaugural Justice Institute pose with Judge Newman, Judge Silvain, Judge Gentry, Clerk Nagel, Professor Curran, and Judge Silvain’s law clerks.

This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman poses with students from Thurgood Marshall School.

A group of 13 people made up of 7 Timorese judges, 3 Timorese prosecutors, and 2 US Embassy personnel visited the Eastern District of Tennessee. The program was organized by the U.S. Department of Justice and AUSA David Lewen who is serving as a Resident Legal Advisor for 14 months in Timor-Leste. The group’s visit included a tour of the Howard H. Baker Jr Federal Courthouse where they were provided lunch with the judges and were provided informative presentations from each agency concerning their role in the judiciary. The group also visited the local State Courts and U.T. College of Law. The group gifted all the presenters with a scarf (as reflected in one of the pictures) which has the name of their country and the colors of their flag.

Chief Judge Reeves hosted the Criminal Practice Class and professor, Melanie Reid, at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse for Moot Court on February 13, 2020. The students presented a change of plea, an argument of a motion for judgment of acquittal, a 924 (c) motion argument, and argument of a Rule 29 motion in a drug conspiracy trial.

On May 22, 2019, Judge Curtis L. Collier spoke with a group of 8th grade students from The McCallie School which is a boys college-preparatory school located in Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga.  The students visited the courthouse to study the mural, Allegory of Chattanooga.  Judge Collier also spoke with two additional groups from McCallie later in the week on Thursday and Friday.  The total number of students visiting the Court to learn about the history of this piece of artwork was approximately 90 students.  This is the third year that the 8th grade students of McCallie School have made it a part of their curriculum to come study this work of art.  Judge Collier also spoke to the students about the book, Contempt of Court.  The students had read this book earlier in the school year.

This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman and Senior District Judge Walter H. Rice pose with DPS students from Belmont High School.

On April 1, 2019, U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Knoxville hosted a group of students from South Doyle High School and Fulton High School who participated in the all-day Justice For All program. A total of 26 students and chaperones/teachers participated in the event which included a morning panel discussion by local attorneys, law students and law school deans. The panelist each share their backgrounds and what led them to a career in law. The panelist responded to questions and shared with the students that having a difficult childhood or not having financial support is not a deterrent to pursuing whatever dreams you may have for your future. The students also participated in a tour of the courthouse and history museum, participated in a mock trial, participated in a panel discussion with some of the judges, and enjoyed lunch with the judges and other panel participants.

On July 9, 2019, Judge Collier spoke to approximately forty youth summer campers from Olivet Baptist Church at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga. The campers’ ages ranged from 10 to 18 years-old. Judge Collier spoke to the campers about the state and federal judicial system, his professional journey to the bench, and his current responsibilities as a District Court Judge in Tennessee’s Eastern District. During a Q&A session, Judge Collier answered questions about criminal sentencing in federal courts, his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as well as questions about his family and childhood in Marianna, Arkansas. Some of the younger campers were especially interested in how often Judge Collier uses his gavel (never) and why judges wear black robes (a carryover from British court dress). Afterwards, the campers walked over to the courthouse for a tour of the buildings and courtroom.