Vol. 73, No. 11, November
2000
Enhance public understanding of the administration of justice
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Studies show that people's understanding of the justice system
directly affects
their confidence in it. The Bar offers a range of activities to
promote the
public's understanding of the administration of justice. One of the
Bar's most
successful programs each year is the Wisconsin High School Mock Trial
Tournament,
which gives high school students hands-on experience in the justice
system.
New videotape helps clients understand ADR. The State Bar Videotape
Committee
produced "Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution," an
easy-to-understand
explanation of ADR for clients. The video covers nine methods of
resolution
and tips for preparing for mediation and arbitration proceedings. The
Communications
Committee added a similar title to its popular consumer pamphlet
series.
Local bar grants awarded to public service projects. The State Bar
Local Bar
Grant Competition Committee awarded grants to seven local and
specialty bar
associations for developing these public service projects:
- a video geared towards schoolchildren on juvenile justice laws;
- a high school curriculum on topics of contractual obligations;
- a booklet on immigration rights;
- fact sheets translated into Hmong on juvenile criminal proceedings
and
family law issues;
- mediation services for civil claims and pro se divorce litigants,
and victims
and offenders;
- free legal clinics; and
- a brochure on the basics of obtaining a valid driver's license.
Seminar promotes understanding between courts and media. In FY00, the
Media-Law
Relations Committee and the Wisconsin Supreme Court sponsored the
second "Courts
and Media" free seminar. Reporters, attorneys, and judges gained a
better understanding
of each other's perspectives in the contexts of their work. Enhanced
court-media
communication and more informed reporting ultimately benefits the
public and
the legal profession.
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