List Your Event	List of Events	Law Day Planning Guide	Bright Ideas	Social Media Entries
Twitter	ABA Law Day	Teacher Resources	Law Day News Releases	Important Dates
Radio-TV Messages	Download Entry Form

On behalf of the Alabama State Bar and the Law Day 2012 Committee, I ask you to join us in celebrating your freedoms as an American—and our nation’s 52nd Law Day on May 1, 2012. This year, Alabama’s Law Day theme “No Courts No Justice No Freedom” will highlight the role of the nation’s courts in our constitutional democracy and foster public understanding about the jdiciary.

To appreciate this year’s theme, it is important to consider what “courts” are and what the principles of “justice” and “freedom” represent. In short, it is essential to understand that without our courts, we would have neither justice nor freedom.
The future of our nation is in the hands of our young people. We all can play a role in assuring America's future by addressing the needs of youth and by focusing on the issues affecting them today. All youth need to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law to become effective participants in our nation's civic life.

We invite you to participate in the Alabama State Bar’s essay, poster and social media (Twitter or Facebook) contest for LAW DAY 2012. This contest can easily parallel a possible civics/American history assignment and teachers may submit their students’ work, after grading, for award consideration. Winners will include:

STUDENTS: The poster and essay entries will be presented in two (2) classifications – grades K-3 and 4-6 for posters; grades 7-9 and 10-12 for essays and the social media category. First, second, and third place winners in the essay and social media contests will receive U.S. Savings Bonds in the amounts of $200, $150 and $100 respectively; winners in the poster contest receive bonds in the amounts of $125, $100 and $75 respectively. Each winner also receives a certificate, an Olympic-style medallion plus more.

TEACHERS: In addition, the Alabama State Bar will recognize the teachers of winning entries with a certificate and a $25 donation to their school’s general fund to be used for needed classroom supplies.  

ENTER NOW! It’s simple. Just complete the enclosed/attached form and return it to Marcia Daniel at the Alabama State Bar by March 23rd via mail to 415 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36101 or fax to (334) 517-2127. 

The entry deadline is FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012 and winners will be announced on or before April 13, 2012.  Winners receive special recognition at a Law Day awards ceremony and luncheon to be held on May 1st in Montgomery, as well as in local and statewide news releases, and in the state bar’s official publication The Alabama Lawyer.

The Law Day 2012 Committee of the Alabama State Bar would like to invite schools of our area to enter the LAW DAY 2012 Contest.  A perfect class project or assignment, the contest provides an opportunity for students to be rewarded for excellence on an individual basis while recognizing schools for their participation.

Please join us in this year’s celebration – share this letter, entry form, rules and ideas, with all civics and English teachers, and encourage students to enter.

• All entries should reflect the theme of No Courts  No Justice  No Freedom.
• Poster contest is for K-3 & 4-6 grades. Essay and social media entries have 2 categories: grades 7-9 & 10-12.
• Posters: should be half of a standard size poster board- approximately 14” x 22”-with all art mediums acceptable. Entries must be original-with the majority of the work actually done by the child.
• Essay: length may vary, but 3 to 4 typewritten pages, double-spaced are suggested, with unlimited citations permitted if properly identified and credited.
• Social Media: 1. Twitter –Using actual historical or current facts regarding the focus of your choice for “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom,” please list the top 10 tweets in descending order of importance from last to first. Remember, tweets cannot exceed 140 characters and spaces between words count. List the Tweets on a poster (14” x 22”) and you may include artwork if you like. 2. Facebook – Go to facebook.com/grouphome.php and create a Facebook page that includes the words “ASB Law Day”. See additional information on setting up your page on the state bar’s Website. What if Facebook had been available throughout history? Using actual historical or current facts regarding the focus of your choice for “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom,” create a FB page that includes accurate information.  Create a profile, status updates, comments, photo/video/music uploads, or any other FB tools you like. Be creative! See www.alabar.org/lawday for more information.
• The Alabama State Bar must receive entries by Friday, March 30, 2012.
• State level prizes will consist of U.S. Savings Bonds, purchased in the names of winners, in the following amounts: First, second, and third place winners in the poster contest will receive US Savings Bonds in the amounts of $125, $100 and $75 respectively; winners in the essay and social media contests receive bonds in the amounts of $200, $150 and $100 respectively.
• All entries must include the student’s first and last names, grade, teacher and complete school name AND home address and phone number on the back of the entry. Please make sure information is complete and legible as names will be printed.
• The Contest Subcommittee of the Law Day 2012 Committee of the Alabama State Bar shall judge all entries and their determination of winners shall be final.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Marcia Daniel, by phone at
1-800-354-6154, or fax at (334) 261-6312, or by e-mail at . Check the Alabama State Bar LAW DAY link online at www.alabar.org/lawday for updated information on LAW DAY 2012!

       
All entries must reflect the theme of No Courts  No Justice  No Freedom.

Poster contest ideas:

• What does justice mean to you?
• Without courts, do you think the powerful would take advantage of the weak? Give examples and show how our courts provide a “level playing field” for everyone.
• How do courts protect our freedoms? Give examples.

Essay & Social Media contest ideas

• Before there were courts, how do you think people decided who was right and who was wrong? Are courts a better way to solve disputes?
• What role did our courts play in the Civil Rights Movement? Discuss other important changes brought about through the courts.
• In countries that have no courts, do you think the people really have rights and freedoms? If so, how are those rights and freedoms protected?
• How do you think recent protests in Libya, Yemen or Bahrain would have been different if the protestors had access to courts? Can you find examples of current or historical protests or revolts you believe would have been unnecessary with access to courts?
• Why do you think our Founding Fathers thought courts were such an important part of the government?

Remember, the deadline is Friday, March 30th.

Good luck!