April 17, 2026
187 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Media Advisory:
District Court in Baltimore City hosts Schools in the Court program for high school students
BALTIMORE, Md. – The District Court of Maryland in Baltimore City presents an eye-opening program for Baltimore City high school students. The students learn about the legal consequences of being charged with criminal offenses and receive valuable tools and strategies that will assist them when making life-choices. The program includes a mock traffic stop where students will see in real-time the legal implications of bad decisions. This interactive program allows the students to meet and interact with key players in the legal process, including police officers, K-9 officers, commissioners, assistant public defenders, assistant state’s attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and judges. Attorneys, law enforcement, and other professionals discuss career paths and provide information about educational opportunities.
Additionally, educational information about substance abuse, crisis intervention services, and other community resources are provided, as well as guest speakers who will share about the life-changing effects resulting from poor decision-making. Through this initiative, young people will be engaged in meaningful discussions about their futures, helping them to better understand the importance of positive decision-making. The court, legal professionals, and guest speakers challenge the students to envision a brighter future for themselves.
| WHO: | Students from Frederick Douglass High School District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey Administrative Judge Geoffrey G. Hengerer, District Court in Baltimore City Judge Diana A.E. Smith, District Court in Baltimore City, presiding Dr. Debra Brooks, Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Battle Office of the Public Defender Supervising Attorney Durriyyah Holliman Baltimore City Police Department Officer Makinney Walker and Officer Terrell Taylor Baltimore City Sheriff Deputy Clarence Pulley and Deputy Gary Young Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Jalonda Johnson and Captain James Irons Baltimore City Health Department Community Engagement Liaison Rania Mohamed Baltimore Behavioral Health System Prevention Coordinators Taylor Smith and Devin Waters |
| WHAT: | Schools in the Court – Baltimore City |
| WHEN: | Monday, April 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. |
| WHERE: | Baltimore City District Court, Wabash Courthouse Courtroom 1 5800 Wabash Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215 |
Please contact the Maryland Judiciary, Government Relations and Public Affairs Division, at [email protected] or 410-260-1488, to attend or for questions. Cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during the program, but arrangements must be made in advance for security purposes.
CONTACT:
Nicholas Cavey
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
Terri Charles
Deputy Public Information Officer
[email protected]