National Initiative Opens Doors to Next Generation of Court Professionals

Federal judges are introducing young people to the Judiciary and sparking their interest in a range of careers in the courts – beyond the roles of judges and lawyers – through a national initiative called Open Doors to Careers in the Courts.

The program starts with students visiting courthouses to interact with court professionals and experience the job functions that keep the wheels of justice turning. A version of the program also can be offered in classrooms.

“The courtroom is like the human body. You have the brain, you have the heart, you have all sorts of different parts that get the machine going,” said U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui, who regularly hosts the Open Doors program in his Washington, D.C., courtroom.

By participating in a realistic simulation of a court hearing, students experience the responsibilities of jurors, judges, counsel, and court personnel as they analyze constitutional issues in relatable, contemporary case scenarios based on landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, including Tinker v. Des Moines and Elonis v. U.S.

The courtroom simulation is part of the Judiciary’s Candid Conversations initiative, a question-and-answer period facilitated by a judge, an attorney volunteer, and a non-attorney court professional. The team shares with students their education and career paths and what they find meaningful about their work in the federal courts. The adults also invite students to explore careers in the courts – some that require a law degree and many that do not.

“We want to help shape the future of the Judiciary,” said Angela Caesar, clerk of court for the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, who participates in the D.C. program. “We can contribute to what the future of the court looks like by bringing in these young people and helping teach the culture.”

To request a courtroom or classroom program for high school students, fill out a request form: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federa...

Visit the educational resources section for additional programs and activities: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federa...

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