Latest news with #NationalLawDay
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
61st District Court celebrates Law Day with GR students
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 61st District Court joined Grand Rapids students on May 1 for National Law Day. Judges collaborated with Grand Rapids Public Schools to host a student essay contest. The theme was 'The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One.' Winners were announced at an event at C.A. Frost Middle School. Dominick Henriott-Jauw won first place, Trenton Boda won second and Corwin McGee won third. Chief Judge Angela Ross presented the winning students with their certificates. Students also got a gift card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spokane County judges reaffirm their Constitutional oath, condemn politicization and bending of rule of law
May 1—William Shakespeare wasn't all that far off when he wrote the infamous "Let's kill all the lawyers" line from "Henry VI, Part II," said Spokane County Superior Court Judge Breean Beggs on the courthouse steps Thursday. "The quote comes from a man named Dick the Butcher, who's engaged in a rebellion and wants to create chaos and tyranny ... He says the first thing we have to do is silence the lawyers because they are in the way of freedom and a well-ordered government," Beggs told the crowd. "... In this courthouse, we've got judges who are standing ready to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of how popular or unpopular it is on any one day. And we have lawyers who are willing to represent people to the best of their ability." Beggs and a group of other Spokane County Judges stood outside the courthouse to again take their Constitutional oath for National Law Day. Below the steps stood 9-year-old Ayva Griffith, who was there to recite the oath along with them. "They support us. They take care of people," said Ayva, whose family is filled with lawyers. "It makes me feel happy." Beggs spoke to more than 50 people on the courthouse lawn, including lawyers, county employees and citizens, urging them not to forgo the meaning of the Constitution out of fear or pressure, and to remind them that those in the Spokane judiciary took an oath to protect the rule of law without favorability. Although the event was not created in response to any "recent events" or actions taken against judges and lawyers from President Donald Trump and his administration, Beggs reminded the crowd, the timing is ripe. Washington State Bar Association President Sunitha Anjilvel acknowledged in a press release that "we are feeling very divided as a country." Trump's executive orders in the last three months of his presidency have thrown legal professionals into a tailspin — as Trump promises to retaliate against law firms that don't bow to his administration's requests and call for the impeachment of judges who rule against his executive orders for being unconstitutional, some law firms are caving to the demands, while judges are standing firm. When Trump called for the impeachment of James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement pushing back on the sentiment, saying, "impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision." Federal officials this month also accused a Wisconsin judge of helping an immigrant evade arrest in her courtroom. She was arrested on charges of obstructing an agency and concealing someone to prevent an arrest, according to NPR, when she allegedly escorted the defendant through a jury door out into the hallway after learning ICE officials only had an administrative warrant and not one signed by a judge. Trump's actions have prompted prominent scholars to refer to the recent executive actions as a Constitutional crisis, the New York Times reported, citing the efforts to revoke birthright citizenship, bypassing congressional powers and threatening to deport people with different political beliefs. While Beggs declined to speak about ongoing legal controversies related to the Trump Administration, he said in general terms, there have always been people throughout history who believe one person should have full power to govern rather than the Constitution and laws of the country. And he consistently reminded those attending Law Day that "the rule of law is not political." "The power of our country is our rule of law, and the lawyers and the judges that make it so," he said in an interview. "There's ups and downs, but this country is fabulous, and it's the rule of law that makes it fabulous." Luvera Law Firm attorney Mark Kamitomo, who has practiced since 1989, warned the rule of law will not exist if the Constitution becomes meaningless. His family immigrated from Japan to Canada in a time where Japanese people had no due process in Canada or the U.S. Looking back, it's hard to believe that decades earlier, "my father and his family were living in animal stalls," Kamitomo said. "Under our Constitution, which is the cornerstone of America's democracy, the same laws apply to all — that no one is above the law and we all have the same unalienable liberties and rights that no one, including the government, can infringe upon," he said. "... It's become apparent that a movement to preserve the rule of law, government objectivity and fairness for all, must come from the ground up." Kamitomo said it's always concerning seeing people who are part of the judicial system "bend the rules." It appears that nowadays, he said, the Constitution is meaningless when the end goal is to gain more power. "To me, that's a slippery slope," Kamitomo said in an interview. As Beggs faced the sun in his black robe, he held up his right hand to lead the Constitutional oath to pledge honesty, truth and respect to the justice system. The crowd followed. At the end, a woman in the crowd quietly commented on her admiration for Beggs' previous comments: "All of us are created equal," he had said earlier. "In Spokane, we all belong."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Due process is not controversial': Lawyers in rural communities come together for National Law Day
May 1—COLVILLE — A two-hour drive from Tonasket Thursday morning didn't stop Sandra Johnson, healthcare attorney, from joining lawyers at the Stevens County Courthouse for National Law Day. Johnson said the drive was a reaffirmation of her commitment to the U.S. Constitution. "It's not about being a Republican or a Democrat or an independent, it's about being a United States of America person standing on American soil," she said. "Due process is not controversial. It's what makes us safe." Johnson was one of more than 10 lawyers who stood in a circle in front of the Stevens County Courthouse early Thursday afternoon, while Stevens Superior Court Judge Lech J. Radzimski read the attorney's oath. In attendance was also Rep. Hunter Abell, a Republican from Inchelium, who said it was important for him to join local lawyers because of his concern about the declining public trust across institutions. Abell is an attorney and was sworn in as president of the Washington State Bar Association in 2023. Previously, he served as a judge on the Ferry County District Court. "Today is a day where we can show the public that our lawyers are doing what they can to help build up our institutions. That includes the courts. That includes standing up for our foundational documents, like the U.S. Constitution and our Washington State Constitution," Abell said. Like Johnson, Abell emphasized Thursday's event wasn't an affiliation of political parties, but more of a reminder for community members on how the role for lawyers and the courthouses is to ensure that there's a "fair and partial place for people to get their disputes." Alison McGrane, an attorney in Colville, said she was excited to see the turnout and remember the significance an attorney's oath holds through the work she and lawyers do across the state. This was the first time that she had taken the oath again after being a lawyer in Colville for almost 20 years. "Everybody is entitled by the U.S. Constitution to due process, and this reaffirms those values and is a reminder of your oath that you took when you became a judicial officer," McGrane said. On her drive to Colville, Johnson said she saw a group of protesters out on the corner of ruby-red Republic — something she had never seen before. "They are saying, 'Stand up for the rule of law, stand up for the Constitution, don't cut Medicaid, leave our Social Security alone,'" Johnson said. "Prior to this year, I have never seen that there, never." Pointing to the attorney's oath sheet in her left hand, she said her role is to serve as a safety net and a fundamental right in the United States, just as she's done the past 25 years. "We stand together, and we work together and we take care of each other. It's a scary time, but I can't help but be encouraged when I see this going on," Johnson said.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Ask-A-Lawyer' hotline returns to answer your legal questions for free
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Young Lawyer's Section in Kansas City is partnering with FOX4 once again with its Ask-A-Lawyer hotline. The hotline allows available attorneys to take your phone calls free of charge this week to answer any legal questions you may have. April election reaction; Northland Career Center funding challenges The Ask-A-Lawyer hotline is open from Monday, April 14, till Wednesday, April 16. Lines are open from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. each day. The number for the hotline is 816-994-3933. Call the number during the available time slots to ask questions about wills and trusts, child custody arrangements, landlord and tenant concerns and more. Additionally, you can search for a lawyer at or the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's online directory. The partnership between FOX4 and the Young Lawyer's Section KC is in celebration of National Law Day, which is May 1. The Young Lawyer's Section also included the following release regarding the hotline: No continuing attorney-client relationship is established by calling this number and speaking with a KCMBA Ask-A-Lawyer volunteer attorney, or if a KCMBA Ask-A-Lawyer volunteer attorney returns your call. The exact nature of your legal situation will depend on many facts not known to us at this time. You should understand that the advice and information given in calling this number or receiving a call back is a public service and is general advice and that your own situation may vary. You may wish to consult your lawyer or another lawyer instead of us if you would like further advice beyond that which may be given in these phone calls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
