Law Day is jointly sponsored by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, its Center for Law-Related Learning, and the Nebraska Supreme Court each year. Each year this day is set aside to celebrate and enjoy our freedoms. It focuses on our heritage of liberty under law and how the rule of law makes our democracy possible.
Lincoln attorney, Alan Peterson, presented the keynote address at the Eighth Annual Law Day Luncheon on April 30, 2007. This luncheon, which was hosted by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognized the winners of the Law Day Essay Contest. Mr. Peterson's keynote can be viewed by clicking the link on the right-hand side of the this page.
The 2007 question, which was related to the 2007 Law Day theme, "We the People Need Fair and Impartial Courts: How Do Judges Make Decisions?," is below:
In the case of Illinois v. Caballes 543 U.S. 405 (2005), the United States Supreme Court decided that a dog sniff conducted during a lawful traffic stop that reveals only the location of an illegal substance that no individual has any right to possess does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Do you agree with the majority opinion or do you agree with the dissent that it makes sense to treat a dog-sniff as a search and to rely on the body of our Fourth Amendment cases in deciding whether such a search is reasonable? In other words, do you think a dog sniff of you walking in the hallway at school, a dog sniff of your backpack or purse, or a dog sniff of your car is a search? If you were a judge, how would you analyze these Fourth Amendment issues?
The Law Day Essay Contest attracts essays from students across the state, competing by grade level, grades 7-12. By researching and writing about a topic related to the annual Law Day theme, students can gain a deeper understanding of and make a stronger connection with our heritage of liberty and the citizenship it requires to keep our country free.
The Essay Contest culminates each May on Law Day (on or near May 1) with a luncheon honoring the winners. Parents, teachers, and community members are also invited to attend this annual luncheon.
Winners are selected from each grade level, and they, their teachers and parents are invited to a special recognition luncheon on May 1, 2006, in Lincoln. Students are not asked to read their essays; however, copies of the writers’ winning work are bound and displayed at the luncheon.
| 2007 Law Day Luncheon Monday, April 30, 2007 Cornhusker Marriott Hotel 333 S. 13th Street Lincoln, Nebraska |
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2007 Law Day
Essay Contest Winners
8th Grade
9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade Danielle Divis
David City Public Schools Griffin Hovorka Elmwood-Murdock Jr/Sr High Barb Walkowiak Lincoln East High School Virginia Fleer Winside Public School Spencer Hunt Blair High School |
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Luncheon Picture Gallery
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2007 Law Day Essay Contest and Luncheon
Lincoln attorney, Alan Peterson, presented the keynote address at the Eighth Annual Law Day Luncheon on April 30, 2007. This luncheon, which was hosted by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognized the winners of the Law Day Essay Contest. Mr. Peterson's keynote can be viewed by clicking the link on the right-hand side of the this page.The 2007 question, which was related to the 2007 Law Day theme, "We the People Need Fair and Impartial Courts: How Do Judges Make Decisions?," is below:
In the case of Illinois v. Caballes 543 U.S. 405 (2005), the United States Supreme Court decided that a dog sniff conducted during a lawful traffic stop that reveals only the location of an illegal substance that no individual has any right to possess does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Do you agree with the majority opinion or do you agree with the dissent that it makes sense to treat a dog-sniff as a search and to rely on the body of our Fourth Amendment cases in deciding whether such a search is reasonable? In other words, do you think a dog sniff of you walking in the hallway at school, a dog sniff of your backpack or purse, or a dog sniff of your car is a search? If you were a judge, how would you analyze these Fourth Amendment issues?
The Law Day Essay Contest attracts essays from students across the state, competing by grade level, grades 7-12. By researching and writing about a topic related to the annual Law Day theme, students can gain a deeper understanding of and make a stronger connection with our heritage of liberty and the citizenship it requires to keep our country free.
The Essay Contest culminates each May on Law Day (on or near May 1) with a luncheon honoring the winners. Parents, teachers, and community members are also invited to attend this annual luncheon.
Winners are selected from each grade level, and they, their teachers and parents are invited to a special recognition luncheon on May 1, 2006, in Lincoln. Students are not asked to read their essays; however, copies of the writers’ winning work are bound and displayed at the luncheon.
