ESSAY

“You have the right to remain silent...”

What are Miranda rights, and why are they important?

That question is being posed to students in third through 12th grades this year as courts across the country promote the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) 2016 Civics Education Essay Contest.

In Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court’s Commission on Judicial Independence is supporting activities surrounding the third annual national contest. It is promoting participation in the essay contest and encouraging teachers to educate students about Miranda v. Arizona and incorporate the contest question into lesson plans.

The theme was selected since 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of “Miranda rights,” from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona.

Winners are slated to be announced on May 1, in commemoration of Law Day.

Submissions will be divided into three groups: third- through fifth-graders; sixth- through eighth- graders; and ninth-through 12th-graders. Entries for all grade levels must be 100 words or less and typed and submitted online atncsc.org/contest. Handwritten submissions will also be accepted and may be sent to National Center for State Courts, c/o Deirdre Roesch, 300 Newport Ave., Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Prizes will be awarded. All submissions are due Feb. 26, 2016.

Complete contest details and the contest flier are available at ncsc.org/contest.