Over 150 middle and high school students recently participated in the 6th Annual Youth Law Day event held at the Wake County Courthouse. The annual event is sponsored by the Capital City Lawyers Association (CCLA) in partnership with the Wake County Courts and court officials, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and other community stakeholder organizations. Students spent their Saturday morning at the Wake County Courthouse where they interacted with minority attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officers during a series of discussion panels, a mock trial, and a tour of the Wake County Jail. The goal of Youth Law Day is to develop a discourse among the students and volunteers in hopes of fostering positive interactions with members of the legal community while introducing the idea of potential careers in its various fields.

“Youth Law Day provides students a unique opportunity to learn about the legal profession and justice system by exposing them to the different roles of those who work in the courthouse and courtroom,” said Wake County District Court Judge Ashleigh Dunston who is a volunteer and one of the organizers of this event.

According to the CCLA, since its inception, over 900 students have visited the Wake County Courthouse to participate in this summer enrichment event. As Youth Law Day grows, it continues to attract volunteer participation by local court and law enforcement officials, including justices of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, assistant district attorneys, chiefs of police, and the elected Sheriff and staff.