The Indiana Supreme Court is extending an invitation to teachers across the state to consider having a trial court judge visit their classroom.  The Court developed a Judges Speakers Bureau to allow easier connections between judges interested in talking with students and schools interested in having guest speakers.  Details are available at the following website:

http://courts.IN.gov/citc/speakers

The Community Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana helped develop the Indiana Judges Speakers Bureau with the Supreme Court’s education program, Courts in the Classroom.  The 12 member Community Relations Committee is made-up of judges from across the state.  The goal of the Committee is to bring positive awareness to the courts and develop a relationship with the media.   Marion County Superior 2 Judge Robert Altice is the chair of the Committee.  “We asked judges across the state to volunteer for this outreach project and got a wonderful response,” said Judge Altice who also explained, “It is a chance for judges to encourage students in their community and educate them about the judicial branch.  Field trips to the court may not be possible for every school district—this is a way to bring the court into the classroom.”     

Volunteer judges will speak about the courts and other law-related topics to facilitate an understanding of the Indiana judicial system.  Speakers can be used for special events such as Law Day and Constitution Day, or as part of a class lesson plan.  The online directory will allow teachers to contact a listed judge by phone or email.  For more information on the Judges Speakers Bureau, please visit the website or contact Jennifer Bauer of the Indiana Judicial Center at (317) 232-1313.