James M. Bennett holds 4th Civics and Law Day Conference for Government Students

SALISBURY, Md. – At James M. Bennett High school, students spent their day learning about law and civics with prominent government officials.  Early Wednesday morning, members of the Wicomico County Bar Association visited the school to take part in the 4th annual Civics and Law Day Conference.
More than 100 students attended to learn from different scholars, lawmakers, and activists. Discussions included free speech and the rights and responsibilities the youth have. School officials add that Understanding of law and legal issues is essential for students to understand the function of government, culture, and society.

“This gives them an opportunity to interact with state’s attorney’s, public defenders, retired judges, current judges. We can give them some of that in the classroom but to hear that and feel that real life experience coming from people who live it on a daily basis has a different kind of value and a different kind of impact on our students,” said government teacher Phil Portier.

Portier also says the school holds a mock trial for students interested in law that gives them an opportunity to act as attorneys, wittnesses, and judges to give them a deeper appreciation for the careers.