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Judge Attends Foundations of American Law

Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov

June 26, 2007

 General District Court Judge Attends
American Academy of Judicial Education Course

Judge Michael J. Cassidy of the 19th Judicial General District Court (Fairfax City and Fairfax County) attended “Foundations of American Law” June 9 through June 14. The course was organized by the American Academy of Judicial Education.

The course examined the roots of the American legal system and its evolution from English common law. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence and its philosophical underpinnings, the course reviewed the experiences that forged the present-day federal constitutional system.

“This course was an opportunity to expand the training and experience of the entire District Court bench as well as myself about the past and current forces that shape the application of the highest law of the land – the U.S. Constitution,” said Cassidy. “The federal constitution continues to shape the law of Virginia from issues as large as race relations to matters as small as the manner of service of process in small claims cases or issuance of summons for traffic violations. The course was a chance to see the pattern of these decisions under different chief justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Cassidy’s attendance was supported by a scholarship awarded by the State Justice Institute (SJI). The nonprofit organization was established by federal law to award grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts nationwide; facilitate better coordination between state and federal courts; and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common problems faced by all courts.

More information about SJI is available at www.statejustice.org.

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