Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

New Orleans, LA – In recognition of the 65th annual celebration of Law Day, the Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a Resolution commemorating today as Law Day. The Resolution urges and requests “judges of the State of Louisiana to dedicate the month of May 2023 to reaching out to schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the law, the role of a judge and the court system from members of the judiciary.” The Law Day 2023 theme is “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration.”

“Law Day is a perfect time for judicial outreach through the Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom program,” said Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “Over the past two years, participation in the Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom initiative has increased among our state’s judges, who have been visiting Louisiana students and welcoming them in courtrooms to teach about the law, the judicial system, the three branches of government, making wise decisions, and more.”

During the month of May, the Louisiana Supreme Court will host several Law Day-themed activities, which will include tours of the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse, visits to the Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Supreme Court Museum and the Law Library of Louisiana, and discussions with the Justices.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper D. Griffin is spearheading a strong coalition of judges in Orleans parish who will utilize the month of May and beyond for outreach to schools, civic, and community groups throughout the parish. Statewide, Judges will host students in their courtrooms and continue to find creative ways to present civics to students. Judges are encouraged to utilize the civics information available on the Louisiana Supreme Court website (www.lasc.org) when they spend time talking to students, including the comprehensive presentation developed by Justice Scott Crichton titled, “Crime, Consequences, and the Power of Choice.”

“I am convinced that judges can have a positive impact on the communities they serve by engaging in outreach programs that combine civics and lessons on equality, respect for all people, the consequences of inappropriate behavior, and personal responsibility,” said Chief Justice Weimer.

“Most importantly, outreach programs benefit the community, while positively reflecting on the judiciary and having an immensely positive impact on judges who participate.”

The Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom initiative is a partnership with the Judges in the Classroom/Students in the Courtroom Supreme Court Task Force, Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education, the Louisiana District Judges Association, the Louisiana Commission on Civics Education, the Young Lawyers Division of the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to strengthen our heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.

Information on Law Day 2023 can be found on the website of the American Bar Association at https://www.americanbar.org.

Louisiana Supreme Court Mission: To preserve the integrity of the judiciary, to build and maintain public trust, to provide effective and efficient administration of justice in the Supreme Court, to ensure proper administration and performance of all courts under Supreme Court authority, and to ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of the bench and bar.