Teens to learn about the consequences of alcohol and drugs at Annual Youth Law Fair  

WHO:  DC judges and lawyers host 300-400 local middle school and high school students 
 
WHAT: Seventh Annual Youth Law Fair  

Theme:  Drugs, Alcohol and Truancy 
 
WHERE: Moultrie Courthouse   500 Indiana Avenue, NW 
 
WHEN: Saturday, March 18 – 9am to 4pm   The DC Courts and the DC Bar Sections Office will sponsor the 7th Annual Youth Law Fair next Saturday at the Moultrie Courthouse.  Hundreds of students from local high schools will participate in mock trials, role-playing as judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, civil litigators, witnesses and jurors.  Local judges and members of the bar will assist them in these roles, providing a learning experience about the law, the criminal justice system and substance abuse.  The criminal and civil mock trials will involve drug use and truancy, as well as theft and related criminal acts.  First thing in the day (10am) and at the conclusion (3pm) there will be ‘speak out sessions’ to allow discussion among the teens on the topics of truancy, substance abuse, and related juvenile issues.  [Note:  Photos of participating teens may be taken during two speakout sessions and during the mock trials.] 
 
The goal of the Youth Law Fair is to allow students to discuss legal issues relevant to their lives, to enhance their knowledge of the court system, and to educate them about careers in the law.  Over 1,200 local students have participated since the inception of the event in 2000.  All area high school students are welcome.  For more information, see www.dcbar.org/youthlawfair. 

 
*** EVENT IS NOW FULL – 400 STUDENTS HAVE PRE-REGISTERED! *** 
 
PRESS NOTE:  To bring a still or television camera, or an audio recorder, into the courthouse for the limited purpose of covering this event, contact Leah Gurowitz in advance at (202) 879-1700.