Students take the bench at federal court Nov. 6

<p>The Sandra Day O’Connor United States Courthouse will be filled with eighth graders Nov. 6 as part of a multi-partnership program designed to introduce youngsters to constitutional principles, the judicial system and create a context for a professional career in law.</p><separator></separator><p>The program, Court Works, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon. It will provide approximately 300 students from the Murphy School District, Tempe Elementary School District, Roosevelt School District and ASU University Public School – Phoenix the opportunity to experience the federal court system in action as they re-enact a United States Supreme Court decision in the setting of an actual federal courtroom. Students will perform every role in the case, acting as judges, jurors, prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants and witnesses.</p><separator></separator><p>Court Works is a partnership of the United States District Court, led by the Honorable Mary H. Murguia and Arizona State University’s Office of Public Affairs and Office of Youth Preparation and its Junior Law program, with the encouragement of Valle del Sol, a community-based organization with extensive ties to local communities and their issues.</p>