Community Outreach

The Southern District of California has long recognized the importance of community outreach and to that end has implemented a variety of programs designed to educate the community on the role of the federal court and to foster a spirit of trust in the justness of decisions made by our judges.

"I think the biggest challenge we face today in our judicial government
is the lack of understanding of the public role of courts in our country"
- Sandra Day O'Connor


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2023 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest

The 2023 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest is open to high school students in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington state, the United States Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Students in the 9th through 12th grades attending public, private, parochial and charter schools, and home-schooled students of equivalent grade status, are invited to participate. Children of federal judges, chambers staff and employees of federal court offices are not eligible to participate.

Since the Constitution was ratified in 1789, more than 12,000 amendments have been proposed and many remain pending or partially approved. Only 27 amendments have been successfully ratified and incorporated. What amendment would you propose for our Constitution? Why is it needed today? How would you get your amendment ratified? A student may submit both an essay and a video to the contest but only one of each. The winners of the Southern District of California will have their essays or video’s submitted to the circuit-wide contest, as well as winning the following prizes:

  • 1st Place: $1,000
  • 2nd Place: $500
  • 3rd Place: $250

All students who participate in the contest will be invited to attend a reception held at the Judith N. Keep and James M. Carter United States Federal Courthouse, where the submissions and winners will be recognized.


Click here for contest rules and details