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Justice of the Peace, Precinct Eight Kalan Gardner invited over 20 students to his Judicial Academy for students to get a first-hand experience of working in the legal system Tuesday.

Inspired by a similar program he saw in Beaumont, Gardner reached out to various contacts throughout Jefferson County to volunteer their time to come and speak to students in Port Arthur.   

“We wanted to make sure that the kids in Port Arthur got the same opportunities,” Gardner said. “Judge Naomi Doyle is doing a great job in Beaumont with that program. She said ‘Here is the outline, do what you gotta do with it’ and that’s what we did, we want to make sure our kids are seeing the same people successful people do the same things that they aspire to do.” 

Students applied to be a part of this program from schools around the Port Arthur area such as Memorial High School, Tekoa Academy and Woodrow Wilson Early College High School.

Tuesday’s presentations featured Jefferson County District Attorney Keith Giblin and Criminal Defense Lawyer Marsha Normand. Both speakers offer different perspectives on the judicial system and how they got to where they are today from different backgrounds. 

“Whether or not you’re going to practice law you’re going to use it,” District Attorney Giblin said. “Executives get law degrees and we can use that in virtually any field that you go into, whatever school you go to.” 

Students had the opportunity to ask questions on how to get into law school and how to further their careers once they begin law school. Normand warned about some of the challenges and discrimination that many of the students may face throughout their careers.  

“There have been times where I’ve had to stand up and say ‘I am not for sale’, Normand said. “Those are probably some of the most racist moments when somebody that doesn’t look like you is telling you what they want you to do and expecting that you should go along with it because they have more money than you or more power than you.” 

The students then had an opportunity to participate in a mock eviction trial where Gardner was able to walk students through the process of a legal case while also teaching them about common problems or misconceptions that they may face.   

Tori Chance, a junior at Woodrow Wilson Early College plans to be a child defense attorney. Chance says enjoys being part of the program as she gets to see people that look like her participate in the legal process. 

“I’ve always been interested in law since a young age, I’ve always wanted to help people because my interest has been towards children who don’t have a spokesperson,” Chance said. “I’ve always wanted to be an advocate for [children] and give them a voice that they don’t have.”

The program will meet once a month with various speakers and activities to encourage and help students into the legal field.