On December 3, 2024, Magistrate Judges from the Eastern District of Virginia, William Fitzpatrick and Lindsey Vaala, along with Tanzania Jaysura, Assistant United States Attorney, served as panel members in a “Bill of Rights in Your Life” program at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. About 90 students enrolled in “Law in Action” and “U.S. Government” at Lake Braddock gathered to hear from the panel and ask them questions.
The panel addressed the Bill of Rights and the students’ many questions involving rights under the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments. In responding, the panel engaged in an impromptu “initial appearance” proceeding to bring to life some those topics. Two students volunteered to act as U.S. Marshals, standing on either side of the defendant, played by Judge Fitzpatrick. Ms. Jaysura played the role of the prosecutor, and Judge Vaala presided over the mock hearing.
During the demonstration, the panel explained the “charge” and maximum possibly penalty to the defendant, advising him of the right not to make any statements in court about the alleged conduct or charges. The panel addressed the appointment of counsel, the request for a detention hearing, and the preliminary hearing date.
The panel also spent time explaining the process for seeking a search warrant from a federal magistrate judge and the requirements that must be met to obtain a search warrant, including the parameters and scope if the search is allowed. About one-third of the students stayed to talk with the panel members after the class ended. They asked additional questions, and a few wanted to take selfies with the panel members!
Judge Vaala summarized her thoughts of the experience: 
“In today’s world, in which sources of information can be challenging to assess and test, it feels particularly important for members of the judiciary and government to engage in person with the community and with young people specifically. There is no comparison to real-life engagement and affording students the opportunity to meet judges, learn that we are real people, ask questions about how the system works, and receive real answers directly from the source.”
The panel members “illustrated the importance of caring deeply about justice, resolving disputes fairly under the law, and treating all people with dignity,” said Patrick Ward, a member of the government faculty at Lake Braddock.
Click to read more about the “Bill of Rights in your Life” program.