Sept. 19, 2011
Justices O'Donnell, Lanzinger Speak at
Law-Related Education Event
Supreme Court of Ohio Justices Terrence O’Donnell and Judith Ann Lanzinger spoke with social studies teachers from across the state about the judicial system.
Justices O’Donnell and Lanzinger were keynote speakers during the 21st annual Law and Citizenship Conference with the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Justice O’Donnell spoke Sunday and led a discussion on the difference between interpreting and making law.
“Each judge brings a unique personality and background to the bench,” Justice O’Donnell said. “Regardless of background, judges are bound to follow the law, and to interpret and apply it as written. They are precluded from applying their own ideas about what it means or what they would like it to mean.”
Speaking today, Justice Lanzinger engaged the educators on what Ohio’s courts can do to help students learn about their responsibilities as citizens.
Justice Lanzinger is Ohio’s chair for iCivics, a national program designed to inspire students through interactive civic education.
“Teachers and the judiciary can be partners in civics programs,” Justice Lanzinger said. “By using fictional civil and criminal cases we discussed differences between the state and federal court systems. I also highlighted new materials helpful for lesson planning,”
Other conference highlights included a mock trial, the changing nature of federalism, and technology in the classroom. The two day conference ended Monday, Sept. 19.
Justice O’Donnell has been a member of the state judiciary for more than 25 years and has served on both the trial court and appellate court before being elected to the Supreme Court. He began his service on the Supreme Court in 2003 and was elected in 2004 and 2006. His current term will expire in December 2012.
Now serving her second six-year term on the Supreme Court, Justice Lanzinger is the only person ever elected to every level of Ohio’s judiciary. The 150th Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, she previously served on the Sixth District Court of Appeals for Ohio, the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas and the Toledo Municipal Court. Her varied judicial experience allows her a unique perspective of the state court system.
For more information on iCivics visit: www.icivics.org
For a high-resolution, print-quality photo of Justice Lanzinger, visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/images/justices/lanzinger_highres.zip.
For a high-resolution, publication-quality photo of Justice O'Donnell, visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/images/justices/odonnell_highres.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.