Community College of Philadelphia Hosts 9th Annual Law and Society Week, Feb. 25-Feb. 29

PHILADELPHIA, February 19, 2008 - Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for Law and Society will host its 9th Annual Law and Society Week from Friday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 29.

Sponsored by the College’s Paralegal and Justice curriculums, the week will feature films, panel discussions, award ceremonies and lectures by experts on a variety of topics pertinent to the legal and law enforcement professions. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated.

One of this year’s highlights will be the presentation of the College’s 2nd Annual Judge Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation William T. Coleman Jr., Esq. Coleman is a nationally known attorney, advisor to numerous U.S. presidents and one of the authors of the legal brief that, in 1954, persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education, to end segregation in public schools.

Other Law and Society Week highlights include TRANSFORMaNATION, an exhibit of artwork done by prison inmates; Lost Dreams on Canvas, an exhibit of artwork celebrating the lives of murder victims; a panel discussion on criminal justice and the prison system, moderated by Rev. Lorina L. Marshall-Blake; The Crime Reporters, a panel discussion on crime coverage in Philadelphia featuring journalists from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fox 29 TV, 6abc TV and NBC10 TV.

The week’s events will start at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 22, with High School Day, which will provide high school students with an understanding of the law and its relationship to other areas of society. It will be followed by the opening of the Lost Dreams on Canvas art exhibit at 12 noon in the lobby of the Winnet Building. The exhibit is the result of a unique partnership that began in 1993 between the Veterans Against Drugs and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Philadelphia artists donated their talents to paint more than 150 portraits celebrating the lives of the innocent victims of random violence.

The following is a full list of the Law and Society Week events. There is a building guide at the end of this press release that gives the locations of the events.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Drugs, Weapons and Violence in Philadelphia
8:00 to 9:20 a.m., Room S2-3
Community activist Joseph Davis of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital discusses grassroots organizing strategies to address the issues of drugs, weapons and violence in our community in this powerful presentation.

International Student Panel: Focus on the Political Process
11:15 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., Room S2-3
How are leaders selected in other countries? What is the role of citizens in the political process around the world? How are governmental abuses checked? This panel discussion with students from around the world will enable us to better understand the global political landscape. Moderator: Nicole Vadino, assistant professor, Social Science

Film: “Sentenced Home”
12:00 to 1:20 p.m., Room TBA
This film examines the case of Loeun Lun, who years after emigrating from Cambodia as a small child, faces deportation proceedings as the result of firing a gun in the air to protect himself from a gang attack. Moderator: Dena Sukol, Esq., visiting lecturer, Paralegal Studies

“Red Flags” in Student Writing, Photography and Classroom Discussion
12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Room MG-22A, the Teaching Center
Faculty Only
When should you be alarmed about the content of a student’s expression? What should you do in response to alarming words or images or other student work? Faculty will discuss warning signs reflected in students' work. Panelists: Fran DiRosa, director, Center on Disability; Rick Frei, Ph.D., assistant professor, Behavioral Science; Randy Merced, manager, Security and Safety; Julie Odell, assistant professor, English; Melissa St. Pierre, visiting lecturer, Act Now/Act 101

Fences and Freedom: Immigration Since 9/11
A Focus on Election 2008 presentation
1:25 to 2:20 p.m., Room S2-19
Is limiting immigration the answer to security concerns since 9/11? How has immigration law changed in response to the threat of terrorism? Presenters: Steven A. Morley, Esq., partner, Morley Surin & Griffin, PC and Judith Bernstein-Baker, HIAS & Counsel Migration Services of Philadelphia

Balanced Perspectives on Law and Society
2:30 to 3:25 p.m., Room S2-3
A lively panel discussion of the criminal justice system and the transformation of individuals through art. Moderator: Reverend Lorina L. Marshall-Blake. Panelists: David DiGuglielmo, superintendent, SCI Graterford; the Honorable Karen Shreeves-Johns, judge, Court of Common Pleas; Victoria Greene, president, Every Murder is Real; Jean Bickmire, administrative director, Justice & Mercy; Keith Sadler, chief inspector, Philadelphia Police Department; John Phillips, ex-offender

TRANSFORMaNATION: An Exhibit of Inspirational Art Created Behind Prison Walls
Opening Reception
3:45 p.m., Mint Rotunda
This features art created by inmates in the Pennsylvania prison system. The exhibit will run until March 1.

Thinking About Law School?
6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Room S2-3
Are you considering law school? Not sure if it is the right choice for you or how best to prepare? No matter what your current major, if you think law school may be in your future, you need to attend this session. Presenters: Prelaw advisor from Drexel University, admissions representatives from Widener University School of Law and other local law schools and current law students

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Putting Crime on the Map: A GIS Demonstration
8:00 to 9:20 a.m., Room S2-3
What happens when crime is placed on a map? How do police agencies use the latest Geographic Information System technologies to track, predict and prevent crime? This fascinating demonstration of the Philadelphia Police COMPSTAT mapping system will show the latest use of GIS in law enforcement and will conclude with an overview of GIS curriculum opportunities at the College. Presenter: Philadelphia Police Department’s Crime Mapping Unit

Lost Dreams on Canvas: A Victim Services Event
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 Winnet Building Lobby A coalition of victim services agencies in the Philadelphia area will serve as guides to victim services in conjunction with the Lost Dreams on Canvas exhibit.
"Lost Dreams on Canvas" Exhibit description from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Election Process: Focus on Election Year 2008
A Focus on Election 2008 presentation
9:30 to 10:50 a.m., Room S2-3
Do you understand the electoral college? How is the president selected? What role do primaries play in our political process? Are the courts involved in the political process? Learn about these critical issues in this important election year presentation.

Film: “Troop 1500”
11:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Room S2-3
The powerful film follows five young girls whose mothers are serving time in Texas. Moderator: Dena Sukol, Esq., visiting lecturer, Paralegal Studies

Book Discussion: The Nine
12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Room MG-22A, the Teaching Center
A discussion of Jeffrey Toobin’s best-selling nonfiction book about the United States Supreme Court.

The Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award Presentation and Lecture: William T. Coleman, Jr.
2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Room C3-5
The second annual Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award will be presented to William T. Coleman, Jr., a civil rights law pioneer and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. Lecture and reception to immediately follow. Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, February 18, 2008, to 215-751-8861.
Related Reading:

The Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award Reception
3:00 p.m., Room C2-5

Women in the Law
6:00 to 8:00 p.m., S2-19
A panel of esteemed members of the legal community discuss the role of women in law. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Film: “Race: The Power of an Illusion”
9:00 to 11 a.m., WERC
The idea that race is not biological goes against one of our most fundamental assumptions: that there are meaningful, natural divisions between groups of people. Certainly people look different, but as it turns out, appearances can be deceiving. Moderator: Jane Jacobs, Esq., assistant professor, Paralegal Studies
Related Reading:

Murder Ballads: Homicide in Song
9:05 to 10:00 a.m., Room S2-3
Murder ballads provide unique insights into the crime of homicide through music. Panelists: Sonya Lott-Harrison, Ph.D., associate professor, Psychology; Nicole Vadino, assistant professor, Social Science; and David Freeman, Esq., assistant professor, Social Science

Competency and the Death Penalty
10:10 to 11:05 a.m., Room S2-3
Can a person be too incompetent to be executed? This presentation will take a comprehensive look at this important issue from the prospective of mental retardation and mental illness. In 2006, the American Bar Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill all passed almost identical resolutions exempting those with severe mental illness from the death penalty. The notion of competency is examined as it relates to execution, and specific cases will be presented to help us take a look at how the process works and where the future is leading us. Presenters: Heidi Braunschweig, Ph.D., assistant professor, Behavioral Science and Julie Gurner, Psy.D., assistant professor, Behavioral Science

Legal Resource Day
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bonnell Cafeteria
Organizations from the community will provide information on a range of topics, including consumer law, crime prevention, victim’s assistance, housing and immigration. Co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals 

Film: “Race to Execution”
12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Room S2-3
The fate of two death row inmates in Alabama and Illinois is explored by the attorneys who fought for these men’s lives, in addition to commentary by prosecutors, criminal justice scholars and experts in law and the media. Moderator: Dena Sukol, Esq., visiting lecturer, Paralegal Studies/>

The Snitching Project
Brief Multimedia History of Snitching
1:25 to 2:20 p.m., Room S2-19
Presentation of Student Survey Results from the Snitching Project
2:30 to 3:25 p.m., Room S2-19
The Snitching Project is an ongoing, student-driven interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at developing a better understanding of the snitching phenomenon and facilitating community discussion through education. In this session, research team members will summarize the results of The Snitching Survey, a questionnaire regarding the meaning of snitching, as well as possible antecedents and correlates of snitching attitudes. Presenters: Rick Frei, Ph.D., professor, Behavioral Science and the Snitching Project Committee

Center for Law and Society Awards and Reception
4:45 to 6:00 p.m., S2-19
Join us at this reception and award ceremony. Awards presented include Paralegal and Justice Alumni awards, the Center’s Public Service Award and the Video / Digital Storytelling Awards.

Navigating Through the Protection from Abuse Process
6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Room S2-3
An inside look at how the protection from abuse process works presented by the Honorable Ida Chen of Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County.

Ending Domestic Violence
6:30 to 8:00 p.m., NWRC
Every hour, 56 women will be physically victimized by an intimate partner (U.S. Bureau of Justice). In this interactive session, students will learn the warning signs of abuse, strategies for ending abuse and how to help others who may be in abusive relationships. Educators and attorneys from the Philadelphia organization Women Against Abuse will visit Women’s Studies 101 to answer questions and provide resources. Moderator: Mary Conway, Ph.D., assistant professor, English

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Legal Implications of Nursing
9:15 to 10:45 a.m., Room S2-19
Paul Bechtel, Esq., a nationally renowned expert on law and medicine and a veteran of more than 300 jury trials, will discuss nursing and issues of legal liability in medicine. Mr. Bechtel is a retired partner of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin.

Philadelphia C.S.I.
9:30 to 10:50 a.m., Room BG-10, Bonnell Large Auditorium
The Philadelphia Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit will explain its role in photographing and sketching crime scenes, as well as its method in the identification and processing of crime scene evidence. Actual and sometimes graphic crime scene photos will be shown.

The Crime Reporters
11:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Room BG-10, Bonnell Large Auditorium
This popular event returns with a panel of local crime reporters, all experts in their field, discussing the role of the news media in the reporting of crime. Panelists include: Barbara Boyer, The Philadelphia Inquirer; Sharon Crowley, Fox 29 News; Dann Cuellar, Action News/6abc; and Mike Strug, NBC 10 News. Moderator: William Colarulo, chief inspector, Philadelphia Police Department

Music, Drugs and Crime
12:15 to 2:00 p.m, NERC
George Anastasia, The Philadelphia Inquirer crime reporter and author of highly regarded works on organized crime, will share findings from his current research on Ace Capone, a music mogul implicated with drug dealing. It promises to highlight a growing problem facing the music industry in the 21st century.

The Judges' Panel
12:30 to 1:50 p.m., Room S2-19
This panel of distinguished judges discusses their lives in the law and the challenges of a legal career.
Panelists: the Honorable Holly J. Ford, the Honorable Jeffrey Minehart, the Honorable Brad Moss, the Honorable Darnell Jones and the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson.

Film: “Sisters in Law”
2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Room TBA
In the little town of Kumba, Cameroon, two women are determined to change their community, where there have been no convictions in spousal abuse cases for 17 years. Winner of the Prix Art et Essai at the Cannes Film Festival. Moderator: Dena Sukol, Esq., visiting lecturer, Paralegal Studies

Mock Interview Session for Paralegal and Justice Students and Alumni
3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Room C1-34, Career Services Center
Are you nervous at job interviews? Need some input on your interviewing skills? This session will help to allay some of those issues for you and provide feedback on improvement. Potential employers and legal recruiters will be conducting mock interviews for Paralegal and Justice students and grads. To participate, please e-mail Jane Jacobs at jjacobs@ccp.edu.

Hate Crimes
6:00 to 7:30 p.m., S2-3
Crime compounded by prejudice traumatizes the victim and injures all of society. This session will discuss the evolution of hate crimes and their prosecution. Presenter: William Love, Esq., visiting lecturer, Justice

Violent Death Investigations
6:30 to 8:00 p.m., NERC
Homicide or suicide? While some crime scenes appear to be “obvious suicides” or “obvious homicides,” such is not always the case! This session will address the various types of evidence that would be found at the scenes of violent deaths and some of the indicators of homicide versus suicide. The analysis of such evidence will be explored, as well as the investigative methods used by police. Presenter: Mark A. Jones, assistant professor, Justice

Friday, February 29, 2008

Practical Answers for Real Problems
10:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Room S2-3
Legal experts will answer students’ questions about real-life legal problems that often prevent them from succeeding in school and life. Moderator: Mary Conway, Ph.D., assistant professor, English