U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Morales Howard introduces students from Mandarin High School and St. Matthew’s Catholic School to “Open Doors to Federal Courts” at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse Thursday. It is a nationwide civics program created to educate students about the judicial process and the role of the Federal Courts. This year’s theme is “Partners in Justice: An Independent Judiciary and a Fair-Minded Jury.” It centers on a fictional high school house party, a search and the resulting criminal case. It is based on the Supreme Court’s 2006 “Knock and Announce Decision,” Hudson v. Michigan. In the courtroom simulation, the host judge applies the law and the student jury tries the facts to demonstrate the importance of participation in the judicial process. The program also allows students to see and experience the different responsibilities of judges, attorneys, witnesses and jurors, and the importance of each role.