Law Day 2016 2016 Events | Previous Law Days
Bar Associations Sponsor Law Day CeremoniesCelebrating Miranda throughout the State
You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…
These are familiar words today to most Americans largely because they have
permeated popular consciousness through countless recitations in films and
television shows. But do those who hear these words through TV and movies,
and those who might not have that privilege, realize the import of such
statements in regards to a person’s constitutional rights?
This year the American Bar Association-sponsored Law Day theme was Miranda: More Than
Words, which marked the 50th anniversary of one of the nation’s best-known
U.S. Supreme Court cases, Miranda v. Arizona. The result of the ruling in
Miranda—which stated, in part, that all those arrested must be informed of
their constitutional rights to stay silent and have an attorney represent
them—afforded procedural protections to all of us by the U.S. Constitution,
spelled out safeguards to protect these rights and illustrated why the
preservation of these principles is essential to our basic liberty.
"Miranda reinforces our fundamental commitment to preserving individual
liberties and rights by establishing that—even in custody—all individuals
retain critical rights and the police must work within these rights during
an interrogation," said Litchfield Superior Court Judge Rupal Shah in her
Law Day address before a standing room only crowd in the stately old
courtroom at the historic Litchfield Superior Courthouse.
"Even when the
state is pursuing interests as important as criminal justice and public
safety, Miranda furthers our commitment to the Constitution and the rule of
law," Judge Shah said in closing.
Bar Associations and other organizations around Connecticut sponsored numerous events celebrating Law
Day, which is officially May 1st, but because it occurred on a Sunday this
year, the celebrations were scattered throughout the week prior and the week
following May Day.
Supreme Court | Appellate Court | Litchfield Superior Court | Stamford Superior Court | Other Ceremonies
Superior Court Judge Peter L. Brown (front, center), Supervisory Assistant Public Defender Paul Eschuk and Assistant State’s Attorney Marjorie Sozanski addressed Government and Civics classes at West Haven High School on April 29th on the importance of the Miranda warnings. Judge Brown is a 1980 graduate of the school.
Greater Danbury Bar Association/Danbury Judicial District CourthouseDanbury Judicial District Administrative Judge Dan Shaban and Superior Court Judge Kevin S. Russo hosted third-grade students from Ellsworth Avenue Elementary School as part of the Danbury Bar Association’s Law Day program.
"Law Day is a special day because it’s a celebration of the rule of law and everything that goes on in this building every day," said Judge Shaban.
"The reason that you can go home tonight and not have to worry about chaos in the streets or anarchy or riots is because of the rule of law,” Judge Shaban continued. “We respect our laws and respect each other along the way."
The Greater Danbury Bar Association awarded the Liberty Bell Award to the Rev. Phyllis "P.J." Leopold, executive director of the Association of Religious Communities; the American Dream Award to Elmer Palma, an immigrant from Guatemala, who serves on the City Council and owns a local diner, and the Pro Bono Award to Attorney Hillel Goldman of Mix & Goldman.
During the day’s activities Judge Russo also gave the students a brief lesson on Miranda and just what it means.
"Every time I speak with children I am more and more impressed," Judge Russo noted afterwards. "They are very bright and ask the most interesting questions."
Superior Court Judges Carl J. Schuman and Peter L. Brown Speak at their Alma Maters
Superior Court Judge Carl J. Schuman, who graduated from New London High School in 1972, returned there recently to speak to students on the 2016 Law Day theme—Miranda: More Than Words. He also gave students a brief outline of the court system, Judges and all the people behind the legal system.
Superior Court Judge Peter L. Brown, who said that he is a "proud 1980 graduate" of West Haven High School, addressed Government and Civics classes there along with Supervisory Assistant Public Defender Paul Eschuk and Assistant State’s Attorney Marjorie Sozanski. The three spoke from their varying viewpoints on the importance of the Miranda warnings.
Superior Court Judge James W. Abrams visited
Hamden High School and talked with students about MirandaSuperior Court Judge James W. Abrams (right) visited Hamden High School and talked with students about "Miranda". He is pictured with Social Studies teacher Sean Butterly.