On March 23, 2019 the Northern Virginia Chapter participated in its annual Color of Justice Program at the Circuit Court of Fairfax County. This two-part event seeks to encourage diversity in the law while providing 7th to 12th grade students a glimpse into the American legal system. During the program, student participants had the chance to play the role of a juror in a mock trial presented at the Fairfax Circuit Court by real attorneys and judges. After reaching a verdict, the student jurors shared their observations in small groups and listened to a panel of judges discuss the trial. These activities provided an exclusive opportunity for students to learn about the challenges and rewards of a career in law.
After sharing their conclusions and hearing from guest speakers, students had a chance to discuss the day's proceedings with attorneys and judges over a complimentary lunch.
Students who were participating in the mock trial portion of the program were also invited to submit entries to be reviewed by a panel of local attorneys based on a numerical scoring system to this year's Essay Contest on the following topic: "What effects do you believe the United States' current immigration policy has had on the country? What changes, if any, would you propose to the United States' immigration policy moving forward? Provide your reasoning and how it's feasible for our country."
The Essay Contest featured prizes at the following levels: first-place winner ($350), second-place winner ($250), and third-place winner ($200). Winners were announced at the event.