Mock Trial Program Moves Online with New Updated Cases
With many students across the Commonwealth learning remotely this fall, Discovering Justice is making sure students have access to this 20-year old program by building an online platform. The revisions to the program will ensure that the unique relationships between our legal partners and our students are preserved and that students learn the civic skills necessary to engage in civic activity.
Senior Education Associate Luke Matys worked with lawyers from Liberty Mutual and WilmerHale to create two new Mock Trial cases. The new cases bring studentsâ First Amendment rights to the forefront. The Liberty Mutual team consisting of Xena Robinson, Cameron Panepinto, and Jackie Doherty helped build a fact pattern that explores the intersection of free speech and cyberbullying. Led by David Rollins-Boyd, Jamie Haddad, and Drew Fosque, the WilmerHale team created a case investigating the tension of a school newspaperâs desire to uncover a groundbreaking scandal, and a school administrationâs desire to protect the privacy of their underaged students. Discovering Justice will introduce these cases this Fall for middle school students across the Commonwealth.Â
 The Mock Trial Program is open to students in grades 6-8 and attorneys interested in becoming legal mentors. If your law office or school is interested in participating in the after school mock trial program, please contact the programâs coordinator, Luke Matys, at lmatys@discoveringjustice.org.
Working for Justice: A Letter to the Discovering Justice Community
For twenty years, Discovering justice has worked with lawyers, judges, teachers, and parents in civic education to teach thousands of students and others about the workings and dispositions of the American justice system.
It is abundantly clear to all of us that this justice system does not work for everyone.Â
We recognize the disturbing realities of the nationâs unjust policies, police brutality, and a legal system that has embraced draconian mandatory minimum and lengthy prison sentences for non-violent offenses, resulting in imprisoning Black people at a rate five times greater than whites.Â
We recognize that Black people carry a grossly disproportionate burden of this flawed system. The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others have only made it more painful, and have highlighted for the world that systemic racism, brutality, and social injustice persist in our nation and neighborhoods.Â
We need a justice system that provides fairness and dignity for all.Â
We all need to do better. Discovering Justice is upgrading and adding to its civic education programs to do a better job at exploring the values and concepts of justice and how it plays out under the Constitution. We are working with our partners to make sure our programs help students identify and highlight where the system needs attention and improvement. And we are developing opportunities to better engage students to use their voices and be powerful advocates for change.Â
We applaud the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have brought their frustration and voices to the streets demanding that our political leaders take action to address these systemic problems that have plagued our country for hundreds of years. Our nation was founded and continues to better itself, catalyzed by those who speak up for change and work to hold their government and their leaders accountable.
We must have faith in and invest in our youth. New leadership and the passionate and talented staff at Discovering Justice are dedicated to doubling down on our work to provide students with the skills and opportunities to develop into future leaders.
The Board and Staff of Discovering Justice
Discovering Justice with Judge Wolohojian and Special Guests
As schools have closed and learning has moved online, parents and classroom teachers are facing challenges as they adapt to remote learning. We are all working to create new and creative opportunities to engage our students.
Students as Superheroes
- Who is a superhero?
- Someone who stands up for themselves and their community?
- Someone who fights the good fight?
- Someone who works for justice?
At Discovering Justice, we know that students are superheroes when they engage in issues in their communities.
 During a time when COVID-19 has thrown students off of their regular routines, and people across America are rallying against injustice, Discovering Justice has provided an opportunity for them to stand up and stand out.
Discovering Justiceâs Civics Superhero Contest asked students to get active and create a project that works for justice and/or supports others during COVID-19. We have received more than 100 submissions. Award winners will be announced July 1 and will be featured on Discovering Justiceâs website and social media.
Click here to see a sample of the submissions.
Discovering Justice in a Pandemic
Americaâs legal system often provides a framework and guidelines on how we address issues that impact our communities. From civil rights and environmental concerns to individual freedoms and the rights of corporations, the legal system can help us address issues that impact us all.