Staff Writer
‘Law Day’ events continue
The Jacksonville legal community has begun visiting area schools to participate in the Florida Supreme Court’s “Justice Teaching” program as part of its “Law Day” events.
Duval County Judge Ronald Higbee and attorney Shea Moser of Moseley Prichard visited San Jose Elementary School May 21 to educate students about the laws of the land. Higbee, a veteran of the “Justice Teaching” program, also visited Whitehouse Elementary that day.
“This was one of the youngest groups I’ve spoken to,” said Higbee, about the San Jose Elementary School stop.
“I was a little bit nervous about talking over their heads. I didn’t want to throw a lot of numbers out at them. They had a lot of good questions though,” he said.
Higbee and Moser visited the school for about an hour. Higbee talked about the structure of government and his role in it, and how he treats people that appear before him.
“I promise those who appear before me two things,” said Higbee. “I will treat you with respect and I will listen to you.”
He also engaged the students with stories of some of the cases he has presided over in County Court, including an eviction and a case of lost luggage.
“Who here has had their luggage lost?” asked Higbee.
Most of the adults in the auditorium raised their hands, and a majority of the elementary school students did, as well.
Higbee used the case to explain how each side is heard and, after some investigation, a decision is reached to resolve the dispute.
“As a judge, you learn something new every day because of the different cases that come before you,” said Higbee.
Moser was surprised with the interest and comprehension that students had in regard to the legal system.
“It was fun to see how interested children that are 10-11 years old are about the legal system,” said Moser. “It was satisfying to be a small part of an important program in the community.”
The goal of the “Justice Teaching” project is to interact with local schools to promote an understanding of Florida’s justice system and laws, develop critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and demonstrate the effective interaction of our courts within the constitutional structure.
The following members of the Jacksonville legal community also participated in the project: U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Morales Howard, Circuit Court Judge Karen Cole, Duval County Judges Pauline Drake and Gary Flower, and attorneys Curry Pajcic, Bryan Gowdy, Dana Brown and James Kallaher.
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