Students from across the Miami Valley and beyond participated in a two-day court camp hosted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on July 22 and 23, where they learned about the law and working in the judicial system.
Approximately 50 students attended the 2025 Dayton Student Justice Institute and observed the proceedings that take place during both criminal and civil cases filed in federal court. They watched demonstrations of the steps a criminal defendant goes through once they are charged, including being interviewed by Pretrial Services, having a detention hearing in front of a Judge, and discussed plea negotiations and sentencing guidelines. They also participated in an oral argument demonstration where they argued a civil case in front of Judges.
"A lot of kids want to be lawyers, and I wanted to look into what that would be like, and this was a really great way to see everyday life and what they actually do and the different jobs," said Madison Leo, who will be a senior at Centerville High School next year. "From doing this, I've learned about different job opportunities, and the different things you can do in the law system."
She said her favorite part of the institute was meeting the U.S. Marshals and learning about their contributions to the justice system.
The students spent time with United States District Judge Michael J. Newman and United States Magistrate Judges Peter B. Silvain, Jr. and Caroline H. Gentry. They also heard lectures from leaders in the Ohio Southern District, including Acting United States Attorney Kelly Norris, Federal Public Defender Joe Medici, U.S. Marshal Michael Black, Interim Dean & Professor Chris Roederer of the University of Dayton School of Law, and representatives from the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“The annual Civics Court Camp – what we refer to as our ‘Student Justice Institute ‘– is one of the best efforts undertaken by our Federal Court,” Judge Newman said. “The Student Justice Institute is an important civics effort in the Miami Valley and beyond. This year, we had students from both Ohio and Kentucky attend. It’s an opportunity for high school students to learn first-hand about how the courts function, see and hear what judges and court personnel do every day, and understand civil and criminal cases on a higher level. It’s an honor for our Court to host the Student Justice Institute. I am privileged as a Judge to be speaking to these students and to teach them more about civics.”
"We host events like the Dayton Student Justice Institute to provide students both insight into our constitutional paradigm as well as knowledge about the federal courts civil and criminal practices and procedures,” Magistrate Judge Silvain said. “In addition to the Court’s participation in the Institute, we were fortunate to have the substantial contribution of the Southern District’s U.S. Attorneys, Federal Public Defenders and the Dean and Professors of the University of Dayton School of Law. We hope that the students gained a better understanding of how the federal courts operate, their rights and responsibilities under the law, and the potential for their pursuing a legal career in the future.”
Mason Gilliam, who will be a sophomore at Fairborn High School next year, said he enjoyed listening to the U.S. Attorneys and Public Defenders.
"It was really cool to hear their story about how they got into the job, and how they do it," he said.
The Southern District of Ohio will also soon host a Teacher's Institute, where local educators can visit the Walter H. Rice Federal Building and United States Courthouse to learn about the judicial system.
